Updated November 2026
Best Trucking Companies in Modesto, California (November 2026)
As of November 2026, 234 carriers in Modesto, California are posting active jobs for W2 company drivers. Leggett & Platt Inc. leads with an average weekly pay of $2,166 and an average $1,999 sign-on bonus. Herrington Transportation Inc. follows at $2,000/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 #3 and Mountain States L.P. Gas at #5 are new to the top 50 in Modesto, California. Biggest climb: Herrington Transportation Inc. (#19 → #2). Biggest fall: REISCH TRUCKING INC (#26 → #43). WILLIAMS PRESTIGE ENTERPRISE (was #10) left the top 50. Elsewhere in the top 50, 2 carriers joined, 3 left, and 32 changed rank.
All changes since October 2026
Modesto, California's top trucking carriers right now
The top of the list is Leggett & Platt Inc. at $2,166/week. A few names below the top earn more on a weekly-pay basis but rank lower on the composite.
#1Leggett & Platt Inc. — $2,166/wk
Leggett & Platt Inc. leads the Modesto, California market on combined pay and ranking score this month. Weekly pay here lands in the 91st percentile across Modesto, California. Leggett & Platt Inc. ranks in the 89th percentile for unsafe-driving avoidance on FMCSA SAFER data. The carrier tracks as a responsive employer on Lanefinder's data.
#2Herrington Transportation Inc. — $2,000/wk
Herrington Transportation Inc. rose 17 positions month-over-month, from #19 to #2. Herrington Transportation Inc.'s weekly pay ranks in the 89th percentile across Modesto, California. Application-response data flags this carrier as a responsive employer.
#3HIGH MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT LLC — $1,700/wk
HIGH MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT LLC debuts in the Modesto, California top 50 this month — it wasn't tracked here last month. Top FMCSA dimension here is driver fitness, in the 93rd percentile. The carrier tracks as a responsive employer on Lanefinder's data.
Also in the top 10: #4 JK MOVING & STORAGE INC at $2,200/wk, #5 Mountain States L.P. Gas at $2,000/wk, #6 PRAIRIE FIELD SERVICES LLC at $1,750/wk, #7 Dillard Trucking at $2,200/wk, #8 G-DIAMOND TRANSPORT INC at $2,045/wk, #9 ELBERTA LOGISTICS INTERNATIONAL LLC at $2,000/wk, #10 MC CARRIER LLC at $1,700/wk.
How drivers spend their time on the road in Modesto, California
Of active CDL postings in Modesto, California this month, 18% are regional and 73% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 9%.
Across Modesto, California CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 28% dedicated, 68% take-truck-home, 60% pet-friendly, 59% riders-allowed.
Where Modesto, California differs from the California baseline
| Modesto, California | California top 50 | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take-truck-home | 82% | 72% | +10 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 74% | 66% | +8 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 70% | 62% | +8 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Among the figures above, take-truck-home is where Modesto, California differs most from California — 10 points above statewide.
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 Modesto, California
- CDL driver salary in Modesto, California
- Best trucking companies in California
Where this data comes from
Lanefinder's ranking algorithm weights compensation at 30%, FMCSA SAFER safety at 25%, benefits at 25%, and operational performance at 20%. Compensation reflects pay percentile plus sign-on bonus, guaranteed pay, and settlement-frequency adjustments. Benefits scoring is hiring-type-aware. Operational performance comes mostly from how carriers handle real driver applications. Updated November 2026.