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. LAWRENCE TRANSPORTATION COMPANY leads with an average weekly pay of $1,680. Forest Brook Trucking LLC follows at $1,600/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 LAWRENCE TRANSPORTATION COMPANY at $1,680/week. A few names below the top earn more on a weekly-pay basis but rank lower on the composite.
#1LAWRENCE TRANSPORTATION COMPANY — $1,680/wk
LAWRENCE TRANSPORTATION COMPANY is number-one in Dayton, Ohio this month on the composite ranking. Strongest FMCSA dimension is driver fitness — 91st percentile. LAWRENCE TRANSPORTATION COMPANY tracks as a responsive employer on application-response data.
#2Forest 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.
#3PREMIER TRANSPORTATION — $1,950/wk
PREMIER TRANSPORTATION pays above the 84th percentile on weekly pay for the Dayton, Ohio market. PREMIER TRANSPORTATION ranks in the 97th percentile for driver fitness on FMCSA SAFER data.
Also in the top 10: #4 True Transport Inc. at $2,250/wk, #5 JK MOVING & STORAGE INC at $2,200/wk, #6 DIVINE ENTERPRISES at $1,375/wk, #7 MCK TRUCKING INC at $1,700/wk, #8 PRAIRIE FIELD SERVICES LLC at $1,750/wk, #9 ECM ENERGY SERVICES INC at $1,950/wk, #10 Diaz Stone & Pallet Inc. at $1,750/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.