Updated May 2026
Best Trucking Companies in Lakewood, Ohio (May 2026)
Lakewood, Ohio's W2 trucking market includes 410 active carriers as of May 2026. KEEP TRUCKING LLC leads with an average weekly pay of $2,200. True Transport Inc. follows at $2,250/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 May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
How Lakewood, Ohio compares to Ohio
| Lakewood, Ohio | Ohio top 50 | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $1,830 | $1,881 | -3% |
| Take-truck-home | 94% | 85% | +9 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 76% | 67% | +9 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 82% | 75% | +7 pt |
| Dedicated routes | 29% | 35% | -6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, take-truck-home is where Lakewood, Ohio differs most from Ohio — 9 points above statewide.
Lakewood, Ohio's top trucking carriers right now
The top of the list is KEEP TRUCKING LLC at $2,200/week. A few names below the top earn more on a weekly-pay basis but rank lower on the composite.
#1KEEP TRUCKING LLC — $2,200/wk
KEEP TRUCKING LLC tops the Lakewood, Ohio ranking with the strongest composite score across pay, safety, benefits, and operational signals. KEEP TRUCKING LLC sits in the 95th percentile for weekly pay among Lakewood, Ohio carriers. KEEP TRUCKING LLC's top FMCSA dimension is controlled-substances compliance, in the 88th percentile. Lanefinder's application data flags KEEP TRUCKING LLC as a responsive employer.
#2True Transport Inc. — $2,250/wk
True Transport Inc. pays above the 92nd percentile on weekly pay for the Lakewood, Ohio market. On unsafe-driving avoidance, the carrier ranks in the 99th percentile per FMCSA SAFER data. True Transport Inc. responds to driver applications more reliably than the Lakewood, Ohio median.
True Transport Inc. actually pays more weekly than the top-ranked carrier — $2,250/week.
#3Covenant Transport Inc — $1,762/wk
Covenant Transport Inc ranks in the 94th percentile for hours-of-service compliance on FMCSA SAFER data.
Also in the top 10: #4 JK MOVING & STORAGE INC at $2,200/wk, #5 MCK TRUCKING INC at $1,700/wk, #6 PRAIRIE FIELD SERVICES LLC at $1,750/wk, #7 PREMIER TRANSPORTATION at $1,700/wk, #8 ECM ENERGY SERVICES INC at $1,950/wk, #9 Badger Express LLC at $1,700/wk, #10 JS HELWIG & SON LLC at $1,850/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: 1% with guaranteed pay, 24% dedicated, 78% take-truck-home, 63% pet-friendly, 64% riders-allowed.
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 May 2026.