Updated July 2026
Best Trucking Companies in Lakewood, Ohio (July 2026)
Lakewood, Ohio's W2 trucking market includes 396 active carriers 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.
Lakewood, Ohio's top trucking carriers right now
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 leads the Lakewood, Ohio market on combined pay and ranking score this month. LAWRENCE TRANSPORTATION COMPANY's FMCSA score is strongest on driver fitness — 91st percentile. Lanefinder's application data flags LAWRENCE TRANSPORTATION COMPANY as a responsive employer.
#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 responds to driver applications more reliably than the Lakewood, Ohio median.
#3PREMIER TRANSPORTATION — $1,950/wk
PREMIER TRANSPORTATION pays above the 84th percentile on weekly pay for the Lakewood, Ohio market. PREMIER TRANSPORTATION's FMCSA score is strongest on driver fitness — 97th percentile.
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 PRAIRIE FIELD SERVICES LLC at $1,750/wk, #8 MCK TRUCKING INC at $1,700/wk, #9 ECM ENERGY SERVICES INC at $1,950/wk, #10 Diaz Stone & Pallet Inc. at $1,750/wk.
Lane mix and benefits across Lakewood, Ohio
Of active CDL postings in Lakewood, Ohio this month, 26% are regional and 67% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 7%.
Across Lakewood, Ohio CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 24% dedicated, 77% take-truck-home, 62% pet-friendly, 62% riders-allowed.
How Lakewood, Ohio compares to Ohio
| Lakewood, Ohio | Ohio top 50 | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $1,811 | $1,864 | -3% |
| Take-truck-home | 94% | 85% | +9 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, July 2026
Among the figures above, take-truck-home is where Lakewood, Ohio differs most from Ohio — 9 points above statewide.
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 Lakewood, Ohio
- CDL driver salary in Lakewood, Ohio
- Best trucking companies in Ohio
How we compile these rankings
The composite score is 30% compensation, 25% FMCSA safety, 25% benefits, and 20% operational performance. Pay percentiles are computed against carriers currently hiring in each market; FMCSA percentiles come from SAFER and weight unsafe-driving and hours-of-service violations 2× heavier than the other three dimensions. Updated July 2026.