Updated July 2026
Best Trucking Companies in Newark, Ohio (July 2026)
Lanefinder tracks 406 W2 trucking carriers hiring in Newark, Ohio. Rankings below reflect July 2026 data: pay percentiles, FMCSA safety, benefit prevalence, and operational performance. 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.
Where CDL pay is strongest in Newark, 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 tops the Newark, Ohio ranking with the strongest composite score across pay, safety, benefits, and operational signals. On driver fitness, the carrier ranks in the 91st percentile per FMCSA SAFER data. Driver applications get a faster-than-median response in Newark, Ohio.
#2Forest Brook Trucking LLC — $1,600/wk
Forest Brook Trucking LLC's FMCSA score is strongest on hours-of-service compliance — 97th percentile. Lanefinder's application data flags Forest Brook Trucking LLC as a responsive employer.
#3PREMIER TRANSPORTATION — $1,950/wk
PREMIER TRANSPORTATION sits in the 89th percentile for weekly pay among Newark, Ohio carriers. PREMIER TRANSPORTATION's top FMCSA dimension is driver fitness, in the 97th percentile.
Also in the top 10: #4 True Transport Inc. at $2,250/wk, #5 Covenant Transport Inc at $1,762/wk, #6 JK MOVING & STORAGE INC at $2,200/wk, #7 DIVINE ENTERPRISES at $1,375/wk, #8 PRAIRIE FIELD SERVICES LLC at $1,750/wk, #9 MCK TRUCKING INC at $1,700/wk, #10 ECM ENERGY SERVICES INC at $1,950/wk.
What Newark, Ohio drivers actually run
Of active CDL postings in Newark, Ohio this month, 26% are regional and 68% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 6%.
Across Newark, Ohio CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 24% dedicated, 78% take-truck-home, 63% pet-friendly, 63% riders-allowed.
How Newark, Ohio compares to Ohio
| Newark, Ohio | Ohio top 50 | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take-truck-home | 96% | 85% | +11 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 78% | 73% | +5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, July 2026
Newark, Ohio's biggest divergence from Ohio is on take-truck-home, 11 points above the state baseline.
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 Newark, Ohio
- CDL driver salary in Newark, Ohio
- Best trucking companies in Ohio
How we compile these rankings
Compensation, FMCSA safety, benefits, and operational performance — weighted 30, 25, 25, and 20 percent respectively. Compensation extends beyond headline pay to include sign-on bonus tier and settlement cadence. Benefits scoring differs by hiring type because the perks that matter to a W2 driver and a contractor are not the same. Updated July 2026.