Updated November 2026
Best Trucking Companies in Norfolk, Virginia (November 2026)
For W2 company drivers in Norfolk, Virginia, Lanefinder tracks 273 carriers as of November 2026. HandledNow LLC leads with an average weekly pay of $1,800 and an average $2,500 sign-on bonus. Herrington Transportation Inc. follows at $2,000/week. Norfolk anchors the Hampton Roads port complex, one of the deepest natural harbors on the East Coast and home to NATO's Allied Command Transformation, with container, ro-ro, and military freight on I-64 / I-264 connecting to I-95.
What changed in November 2026
SAFE WAY CARRIER LLC at #5, Mountain States L.P. Gas at #6, and DICK LAVY TRUCKING at #8 are new to the top 50 in Norfolk, Virginia. Biggest climb: Herrington Transportation Inc. (#28 → #2). Biggest falls: LAWRENCE TRANSPORTATION COMPANY (#2 → #20) and REISCH TRUCKING INC (#37 → #48). Elsewhere in the top 50, 5 carriers joined, 8 left, and 37 changed rank.
All changes since October 2026
Where CDL pay is strongest in Norfolk, Virginia this month
The top of the list is HandledNow LLC at $1,800/week. A few names below the top earn more on a weekly-pay basis but rank lower on the composite.
#1HandledNow LLC — $1,800/wk
HandledNow LLC is number-one in Norfolk, Virginia this month on the composite ranking. HandledNow LLC's FMCSA score is strongest on driver fitness — 99th percentile. HandledNow LLC responds to driver applications more reliably than the Norfolk, Virginia median.
#2Herrington Transportation Inc. — $2,000/wk
Herrington Transportation Inc. is up from #28 last month, one of the largest jumps in the Norfolk, Virginia ranking. Herrington Transportation Inc. pays above the 83rd percentile on weekly pay for the Norfolk, Virginia market. Lanefinder's application data flags Herrington Transportation Inc. as a responsive employer.
#3True Transport Inc. — $2,250/wk
True Transport Inc. sits in the 95th percentile for weekly pay among Norfolk, Virginia carriers. True Transport Inc. ranks in the 98th percentile for unsafe-driving avoidance on FMCSA SAFER data.
For pure pay maximization, True Transport Inc. beats the #1-ranked carrier weekly at $2,250.
Also in the top 10: #4 JK MOVING & STORAGE INC at $2,200/wk, #5 SAFE WAY CARRIER LLC at $2,100/wk, #6 Mountain States L.P. Gas at $2,000/wk, #7 Covenant Transport Inc at $1,762/wk, #8 DICK LAVY TRUCKING at $1,950/wk, #9 PRAIRIE FIELD SERVICES LLC at $1,750/wk, #10 JS HELWIG & SON LLC at $1,850/wk.
How drivers spend their time on the road in Norfolk, Virginia
19% of Norfolk, Virginia's active CDL postings are regional and 78% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (3%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Norfolk, Virginia postings; dedicated routes at 26%; take-truck-home at 82%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 69% and riders-allowed at 67%.
Norfolk, Virginia vs Virginia: the numbers that diverge
| Norfolk, Virginia | Virginia top 50 | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sign-on bonus rate | 40% | 46% | -6 pt |
| Dedicated routes | 24% | 40% | -16 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 76% | 66% | +10 pt |
| Riders-allowed policies | 84% | 78% | +6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
The largest gap is on dedicated routes: Norfolk, Virginia sits 16 points below the Virginia baseline.
Driving CDL in Norfolk
Norfolk anchors Hampton Roads — one of the largest natural harbors on the East Coast and the deepest commercial channel on the US East Coast following the completed 55-foot Gateway dredging. Port of Virginia drayage dominates; Navy and military logistics adds volume; I-64 (HRBT) / I-264 / I-664 (MMMBT) connect the metro. Hurricane season is significant. Cost of living is moderate. TWIC required for port terminal access.
Driving CDL in Virginia
Virginia freight is anchored by the Port of Virginia at Norfolk and Hampton Roads — the deepest commercial harbor on the East Coast and a top-tier US container gateway. The I-95 / I-64 / I-81 truck corridors connect Norfolk to mid-Atlantic and Southeast markets, with I-81 north-south through the Shenandoah Valley a major regional freight spine. Cost of living varies widely (high in Northern Virginia, moderate elsewhere). Virginia has a moderate graduated state income tax. Northern Virginia (DC suburbs) congestion is consistently top-tier; central and western VA is generally easier driving.
Related guides
- Best owner-operator companies in Norfolk, Virginia
- CDL driver salary in Norfolk, Virginia
- Best trucking companies in Virginia
The methodology behind the rankings
Rankings combine four signals: compensation (30%) including pay percentile, sign-on bonuses, guaranteed pay, and settlement frequency; FMCSA safety (25%); benefits (25%) scored differently for W2 vs owner-operator carriers; and operational performance (20%) measuring employer responsiveness and fleet scale. Recomputed monthly from real active job postings. Updated November 2026.