Updated November 2026
Best Trucking Companies in Hawthorne, California (November 2026)
In Hawthorne, California as of November 2026, 249 carriers are actively hiring W2 company drivers. Herrington Transportation Inc. leads with an average weekly pay of $2,000. HIGH MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT LLC follows at $1,700/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 #2 and Mountain States L.P. Gas at #4 are new to the top 50 in Hawthorne, California. Biggest climb: Herrington Transportation Inc. (#22 → #1). Biggest fall: REISCH TRUCKING INC (#30 → #47). Elsewhere in the top 50, 2 carriers joined, 4 left, and 38 changed rank.
All changes since October 2026
Where CDL pay is strongest in Hawthorne, California this month
The top of the list is Herrington Transportation Inc. at $2,000/week. A few names below the top earn more on a weekly-pay basis but rank lower on the composite.
#1Herrington Transportation Inc. — $2,000/wk
Herrington Transportation Inc. is number-one in Hawthorne, California this month on the composite ranking. Herrington Transportation Inc. sits in the 90th percentile for weekly pay among Hawthorne, California carriers. Lanefinder's application data flags Herrington Transportation Inc. as a responsive employer.
#2HIGH MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT LLC — $1,700/wk
HIGH MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT LLC debuts in the Hawthorne, California top 50 this month — it wasn't tracked here last month. HIGH MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT LLC's top FMCSA dimension is driver fitness, in the 93rd percentile. Lanefinder's application data flags HIGH MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT LLC as a responsive employer.
#3JK MOVING & STORAGE INC — $2,200/wk
JK MOVING & STORAGE INC sits in the 93rd percentile for weekly pay among Hawthorne, California carriers. JK MOVING & STORAGE INC's FMCSA score is strongest on vehicle maintenance — 94th percentile.
Also in the top 10: #4 Mountain States L.P. Gas at $2,000/wk, #5 FRESHPOINT CENTRAL CALIFORNIA INC at $2,500/wk, #6 PRAIRIE FIELD SERVICES LLC at $1,750/wk, #7 G-DIAMOND TRANSPORT INC at $2,045/wk, #8 Dillard Trucking at $2,200/wk, #9 ELBERTA LOGISTICS INTERNATIONAL LLC at $2,000/wk, #10 OAK HARBOR FREIGHT LINES INC at $1,750/wk.
Lane mix and benefits across Hawthorne, California
The route mix in Hawthorne, California this month tilts OTR: 16% regional, 69% OTR, 12% local, 3% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of Hawthorne, California postings; dedicated routes at 32%; take-truck-home at 66%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 58% and riders-allowed at 56%.
How Hawthorne, California compares to California
| Hawthorne, California | California top 50 | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sign-on bonus rate | 36% | 42% | -6 pt |
| Take-truck-home | 80% | 72% | +8 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 72% | 66% | +6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
The largest gap is on take-truck-home: Hawthorne, California sits 8 points above the California baseline.
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 Hawthorne, California
- CDL driver salary in Hawthorne, California
- Best trucking companies in California
How we compile these rankings
Pay carriers in the same market against each other (30% of the score). Add a five-dimension FMCSA safety percentile from SAFER (25%). Score benefits based on whether the carrier hires W2 drivers or contractors (25%). Layer on employer responsiveness and fleet scale (20%). The weights are fixed and public. Updated November 2026.