Updated November 2026
Best Trucking Companies in Palmdale, California (November 2026)
Lanefinder is tracking 240 W2 trucking carriers in Palmdale, California (November 2026). Herrington Transportation Inc. leads with an average weekly pay of $2,000. HIGH MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT LLC follows at $1,700/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 #2 and Mountain States L.P. Gas at #4 are new to the top 50 in Palmdale, California. Biggest climb: Herrington Transportation Inc. (#23 → #1). Biggest fall: REISCH TRUCKING INC (#30 → #46). Elsewhere in the top 50, 3 carriers joined, 5 left, and 39 changed rank.
All changes since October 2026
Palmdale, California's top trucking carriers right now
The top of the list is Herrington Transportation Inc. at $2,000/week. A few names below the top earn more on a weekly-pay basis but rank lower on the composite.
#1Herrington Transportation Inc. — $2,000/wk
Herrington Transportation Inc. is number-one in Palmdale, California this month on the composite ranking. Herrington Transportation Inc. pays above the 85th percentile on weekly pay for the Palmdale, California market. Lanefinder's application data flags Herrington Transportation Inc. as a responsive employer.
#2HIGH MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT LLC — $1,700/wk
HIGH MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT LLC debuts in the Palmdale, California top 50 this month — it wasn't tracked here last month. HIGH MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT LLC's top FMCSA dimension is driver fitness, in the 93rd percentile. HIGH MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT LLC responds to driver applications more reliably than the Palmdale, California median.
#3JK MOVING & STORAGE INC — $2,200/wk
JK MOVING & STORAGE INC pays above the 88th percentile on weekly pay for the Palmdale, California market. On vehicle maintenance, the carrier ranks in the 94th percentile per FMCSA SAFER data.
Also in the top 10: #4 Mountain States L.P. Gas at $2,000/wk, #5 FRESHPOINT CENTRAL CALIFORNIA INC at $2,500/wk, #6 PRAIRIE FIELD SERVICES LLC at $1,750/wk, #7 AJR Trucking Inc at $1,900/wk, #8 Dillard Trucking at $2,200/wk, #9 G-DIAMOND TRANSPORT INC at $2,045/wk, #10 ELBERTA LOGISTICS INTERNATIONAL LLC at $2,000/wk.
How drivers spend their time on the road in Palmdale, California
The route mix in Palmdale, California this month tilts OTR: 17% regional, 73% OTR, 7% local, 4% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of Palmdale, California postings; dedicated routes at 30%; take-truck-home at 70%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 62% and riders-allowed at 60%.
Palmdale, California vs California: the numbers that diverge
| Palmdale, California | California top 50 | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sign-on bonus rate | 34% | 42% | -8 pt |
| Dedicated routes | 44% | 36% | +8 pt |
| Take-truck-home | 80% | 72% | +8 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 72% | 66% | +6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, November 2026
Palmdale, California's biggest divergence from California is on sign-on bonus availability, 8 points below the state baseline.
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 Palmdale, California
- CDL driver salary in Palmdale, California
- Best trucking companies in California
Where this data comes from
Four weighted components. Compensation carries 30% and includes pay percentile, sign-on bonus tier, guaranteed-pay availability, and settlement frequency. FMCSA safety carries 25%, built from five SAFER dimensions. Benefits carry 25%, scored separately for W2 versus owner-operator carriers. Operational performance carries 20%, measuring application responsiveness and fleet scale. Updated November 2026.