Updated November 2026
Best Trucking Companies in California (November 2026)
398 W2 trucking carriers are currently posting jobs in California as of November 2026. Leggett & Platt Inc. leads with an average weekly pay of $2,166 and an average $1,999 sign-on bonus. Herrington Transportation Inc. follows at $2,000/week. California freight is dominated by the Port of LA / Long Beach complex, Central Valley agriculture, and the Inland Empire warehouse cluster along I-10 and I-15.
What changed in November 2026
HIGH MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT LLC at #3 and Mountain States L.P. Gas at #7 are new to the top 50 in California. Biggest climbs: Herrington Transportation Inc. (#35 → #2) and True Transport Inc. (#14 → #4). Elsewhere in the top 50, 2 carriers joined, 4 left, and 38 changed rank.
All changes since October 2026
California's top trucking carriers right now
The top of the list is Leggett & Platt Inc. at $2,166/week. A few names below the top earn more on a weekly-pay basis but rank lower on the composite.
#1Leggett & Platt Inc. — $2,166/wk
Leggett & Platt Inc. is number-one in California this month on the composite ranking. Weekly pay here lands in the 92nd percentile across California. Strongest FMCSA dimension is unsafe-driving avoidance — 89th percentile. The carrier tracks as a responsive employer on Lanefinder's data.
#2Herrington Transportation Inc. — $2,000/wk
Herrington Transportation Inc. is up from #35 last month, one of the largest jumps in the California ranking. Herrington Transportation Inc.'s weekly pay ranks in the 91st percentile across California. The carrier tracks as a responsive employer on Lanefinder's data.
#3HIGH MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT LLC — $1,700/wk
HIGH MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT LLC is new to the California top 50 this month — first appearance in this ranking. HIGH MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT LLC ranks in the 93rd percentile for driver fitness on FMCSA SAFER data. The carrier tracks as a responsive employer on Lanefinder's data.
Also in the top 10: #4 True Transport Inc. at $2,250/wk, #5 Flexsteel Industries at $2,000/wk, #6 JK MOVING & STORAGE INC at $2,200/wk, #7 Mountain States L.P. Gas at $2,000/wk, #8 DICK IRVIN INC at $2,250/wk, #9 FRESHPOINT CENTRAL CALIFORNIA INC at $2,500/wk, #10 PRAIRIE FIELD SERVICES LLC at $1,750/wk.
How drivers spend their time on the road in California
The route mix in California this month tilts OTR: 19% regional, 53% OTR, 22% local, 5% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Across California CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 31% dedicated, 56% take-truck-home, 50% pet-friendly, 47% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in California
California is one of the toughest states to drive CDL in the country, and one of the most lucrative for the right setup. CARB emissions rules are the strictest in the US, so engine year and compliance matter for fleet work — if you're owner-op, check current CARB rules before buying a truck. Drayage out of LA / Long Beach and warehouse-rotation work in the Inland Empire pay above the national average, but cost of living is brutal. The mountain passes (Grapevine, Donner, plus high winds on Cajon) add real winter complexity that most other Southwest lanes don't. Drivers with serious mountain experience earn it back.
Related guides
- Best owner-operator companies in California
- CDL driver salary in California
- Best trucking companies in the United States
Where this data comes from
Lanefinder's ranking algorithm weights compensation at 30%, FMCSA SAFER safety at 25%, benefits at 25%, and operational performance at 20%. Compensation reflects pay percentile plus sign-on bonus, guaranteed pay, and settlement-frequency adjustments. Benefits scoring is hiring-type-aware. Operational performance comes mostly from how carriers handle real driver applications. Updated November 2026.