Updated July 2026
Best Trucking Companies in Dayton, Ohio (July 2026)
408 W2 trucking carriers are currently posting jobs in Dayton, Ohio as of July 2026. True Transport Inc. leads with an average weekly pay of $2,250. LAWRENCE TRANSPORTATION COMPANY follows at $1,680/week. Ohio sits at the center of the US manufacturing belt, with I-70 / I-71 / I-75 forming a freight grid through Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati and major automotive, steel, and chemical supply chains driving consistent lane demand.
What changed in July 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Dayton, Ohio vs Ohio: the numbers that diverge
| Dayton, Ohio | Ohio top 50 | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take-truck-home | 94% | 85% | +9 pt |
| Dedicated routes | 24% | 31% | -7 pt |
| Guaranteed pay | 10% | 4% | +6 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 76% | 71% | +5 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 78% | 73% | +5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, July 2026
Among the figures above, take-truck-home is where Dayton, Ohio differs most from Ohio — 9 points above statewide.
Where CDL pay is strongest in Dayton, Ohio this month
The top of the list is True Transport Inc. at $2,250/week. A few names below the top earn more on a weekly-pay basis but rank lower on the composite.
#1True Transport Inc. — $2,250/wk
True Transport Inc. leads the Dayton, Ohio market on combined pay and ranking score this month. Weekly pay here lands in the 96th percentile across Dayton, Ohio. Strongest FMCSA dimension is unsafe-driving avoidance — 99th percentile. Application-response data flags this carrier as a responsive employer.
#2LAWRENCE TRANSPORTATION COMPANY — $1,680/wk
LAWRENCE TRANSPORTATION COMPANY's FMCSA score is strongest on driver fitness — 91st percentile. LAWRENCE TRANSPORTATION COMPANY tracks as a responsive employer on application-response data.
#3Forest Brook Trucking LLC — $1,600/wk
Forest Brook Trucking LLC's top FMCSA dimension is hours-of-service compliance, in the 97th percentile. Forest Brook Trucking LLC tracks as a responsive employer on application-response data.
Also in the top 10: #4 PREMIER TRANSPORTATION at $1,950/wk, #5 CARGORX DRY CAPACITY at $1,900/wk, #6 JK MOVING & STORAGE INC at $2,200/wk, #7 DIVINE ENTERPRISES at $1,375/wk, #8 MCK TRUCKING INC at $1,700/wk, #9 PRAIRIE FIELD SERVICES LLC at $1,750/wk, #10 ECM ENERGY SERVICES INC at $1,950/wk.
How drivers spend their time on the road in Dayton, Ohio
The route mix in Dayton, Ohio this month tilts OTR: 25% regional, 68% OTR, 6% local, 2% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 3% of Dayton, Ohio postings; dedicated routes at 24%; take-truck-home at 77%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 65% and riders-allowed at 63%.
Driving CDL in Ohio
Ohio sits at the center of the US manufacturing belt and runs about as much through-freight as any state. I-70, I-71, I-75, and the Ohio Turnpike form a freight grid that's flat, generally well-maintained, and forgiving for newer drivers — Ohio is one of the better states to gain initial OTR experience. The Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati metros each anchor distinct lane profiles (auto, distribution, and pharmaceutical respectively). Winter operational risk is real — lake-effect off Erie, freezing rain in the central part of the state — but less extreme than the Great Plains states. Ohio cost of living is below the national average, which makes the income math work better than the headline pay numbers suggest.
Related guides
- Best owner-operator companies in Dayton, Ohio
- CDL driver salary in Dayton, Ohio
- Best trucking companies in Ohio
The methodology behind the rankings
Four weighted components. Compensation carries 30% and includes pay percentile, sign-on bonus tier, guaranteed-pay availability, and settlement frequency. FMCSA safety carries 25%, built from five SAFER dimensions. Benefits carry 25%, scored separately for W2 versus owner-operator carriers. Operational performance carries 20%, measuring application responsiveness and fleet scale. Updated July 2026.