10 Best Trucking Companies To Work for in Illinois (August 2026)
FreightWaves reviewed 542 trucking companies in Illinois to find the best place to build a driving career. Nu-Way Transportation Services, Inc. ranked first across pay, benefits, safety records, and driver satisfaction.
Best Trucking Companies To Work for in Illinois
Here are our picks for the top-tier Illinois trucking companies to work for:
Why Trust FreightWaves Checkpoint?
There's a reason we're one of the world's leading authorities on the global freight market. Our expert team has an in-depth understanding of the industry and is up-to-date on employment trends, regulations, and other insights into the trucking workforce.
We conduct thorough research and data analysis to develop our recommendations for the best trucking companies in Illinois. Every Illinois trucking firm is closely scrutinized based on its service range and capabilities. Our team also verifies companies' safety records and regulatory compliance and looks at what real users have to say about their experience.
From there, we narrow our focus to select only those top-performing and highest-rated firms to give you an informed and up-to-date list of the best trucking companies to work for in Illinois.
Nu-Way Transportation Services, Inc.
2 Access Way, Bloomington, IL, 61705- Salary range: $50,000-$60,000
- Routes: interstate
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 262
- Drivers: 307
- Revenue: $30,406,000
- Miles driven: 18,900,000 (2023)
Nu-Way Transportation Services, Inc. (DOT: 568636) was established in 1994 and is located in Bloomington, Illinois. The company operates as an interstate broker and carrier, hauling general freight, building materials, chemicals, dry bulk commodities, household goods, liquids and gases, metal sheets/coils/rolls, paper products, refrigerated food, and other cargo. Nu-Way hires a range of drivers, including OTR, regional, dedicated, flatbed, reefer, hazmat, specialized, partial, owner-operator, and full-truckload drivers.
Nu-Way offers several driver benefits, including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan; paid time off; direct deposit; per diem payments; tuition reimbursement; safety and referral bonuses; pay advances; guaranteed home time; flexible scheduling; and ongoing training and development. The company also supports drivers with fuel cards, roadside assistance programs, detention/layover/deadhead compensation, a lease-purchase option, rider or pet allowances, and newer equipment with an average fleet age of about two years.
Nu-Way Transportation Services has a 3.7 rating on both Indeed and Glassdoor. Positive employee feedback commonly points to solid benefits, supportive coworkers, steady freight, decent equipment, and opportunities for experienced drivers. Negative reviews tend to mention concerns around pay consistency, communication, dispatch organization, workload expectations, and work-life balance, particularly when home-time or scheduling expectations are not met.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Dedicated
- Flatbed
- Reefer
- HAZMAT
- Specialized
- Owner/operator
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Health screenings
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Truck lease-to-purchase program
- Ongoing training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 19
- Unsafe driving: 1.46
- Driver fitness: 0.07
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.25
- Vehicle maintenance: 4.24
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
DOT Transportation, Inc.
1 Dot Way, Mt Sterling, IL, 62353- Salary range: 60000$ - 80000$
- Routes: interstate
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 1757
- Drivers: 2279
- Revenue: $695,000
- Miles driven: 181,000,000 (2024)
DOT Transportation, Inc. (DOT: 424023) was established in 1964 and is based in Mt. Sterling, Illinois. The company operates as an interstate broker and carrier serving the food industry, hauling cargo such as beverages, chemicals, dry bulk commodities, fresh produce, general freight, intermodal containers, liquids/gases, meat, paper products, and refrigerated foods. DOT Transportation hires a mix of local, regional, dedicated, specialized, flatbed, intermodal, LTL, and team-capable drivers.
DOT Transportation offers a strong benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement benefits; employee stock ownership; paid time off; tuition reimbursement; direct deposit; safety bonuses; referral bonuses; per diem payments; and detention, layover, or deadhead compensation. Drivers may also receive guaranteed home time, flexible scheduling, ongoing training, access to lounges or rest stops, fuel cards, roadside assistance programs, company uniforms, gym membership benefits, and rider or pet privileges.
Employee ratings are generally positive, with DOT Transportation holding a 4.2 rating on Glassdoor and a 3.6 rating on Indeed. Positive reviews commonly mention solid pay, dependable benefits, good equipment, stable freight, and a strong company culture. Negative feedback tends to focus on long or demanding schedules, inconsistent communication, route-planning frustrations, and work-life balance challenges during busy periods.
Driver Options
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Flatbed
- Specialized
- Intermodal
- LTL
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Gym membership
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Truck lease-to-purchase program
- Ongoing training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 117
- Unsafe driving: 1.13
- Driver fitness: 0.01
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.08
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.14
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 6
Lssd, Inc.
1501 Kamar Drive, Pittsfield, IL, 62363- Salary range: $45,000-$75,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 51
- Drivers: 37
- Revenue: $8,930
- Miles driven: 5,032,528 (2023)
Lssd, Inc. (DOT: 320418) is an active interstate carrier located in Pittsfield, Illinois; its specific founding date is not listed in the provided data. The company operates a 50+ truck fleet and hauls general freight, beverages, dry bulk commodities, grain/feed/hay, liquids and gases, livestock, metal sheets/coils/rolls, and paper products using equipment and services such as dry van, reefer, tanker, hopper bottom, container, box truck, drayage, hot shot, lift-gate, and last-mile freight.
Lssd, Inc. hires several types of drivers, including local, regional, OTR, owner-operator, reefer, tanker, intermodal, LTL, FTL, and partial-load drivers. Driver benefits include a sign-on bonus, safety bonus, direct deposit, paid CDL training, health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, paid time off, a 401(k), tuition reimbursement, per diem payments, pay advances, guaranteed home time, flexible scheduling, fuel cards, company uniforms, ongoing training, and deadhead/detention/layover compensation.
Glassdoor and Indeed ratings are not available in the provided data, so there is no reliable employee-review score to report for Lssd, Inc. Likewise, no specific Glassdoor or Indeed review themes are available; based on the available benefits data, likely positives would center on insurance coverage, training support, bonus opportunities, and home-time policies, while potential negatives cannot be confirmed from employee reviews.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Tanker
- Reefer
- Owner/operator
- Intermodal
- LTL
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Health screenings
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Paid CDL training
- Ongoing training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Deadhead compensation
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 8
- Unsafe driving: 1.97
- Driver fitness: 0.15
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.59
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.39
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
Herrington Transportation, Inc.
430 Prairie St, Paris, IL, 61944- Salary range: $45,000-$65,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 59
- Drivers: 44
- Revenue: $258
- Miles driven: 4,889,496 (2022)
Herrington Transportation, Inc. (DOT: 540627) was founded in 2002 and is based in Paris, Illinois. The carrier hauls a broad mix of freight, including general freight, agricultural and farm supplies, beverages, building materials, dry bulk commodities, construction materials, fresh produce, lumber, metal sheets/coils/rolls, and paper products. Its operations include dry van, flatbed, reefer, tanker, step-deck, hot shot, power-only, container, auto carrier, oversized, cross-border, and dedicated-route services.
Herrington Transportation hires several types of drivers, including local, regional, OTR, flatbed, tanker, hazmat, specialized, and full-truckload drivers. The company offers a range of driver benefits, including a sign-on bonus, health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, paid time off, guaranteed home time, direct deposit, per diem payments, safety and referral bonuses, detention/layover/deadhead compensation, tuition reimbursement, paid CDL training, ongoing training, roadside assistance programs, fuel cards, company uniforms, and rider or pet allowances.
Herrington Transportation does not currently have Glassdoor or Indeed rating scores available in the provided data, so there is not enough review information to identify reliable employee feedback trends. Based on available benefit details, likely positives for drivers include broad insurance coverage, bonus opportunities, training support, and home-time policies, while no verified common negative themes from Glassdoor or Indeed can be summarized from the provided records.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- HAZMAT
- Specialized
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Health screenings
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Truck lease-to-purchase program
- Paid CDL training
- Ongoing training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 5
- Unsafe driving: 0.49
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.47
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.1
- Controlled substances: 0.07
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
HUB Group
2001 Hub Group Way, Oak Brook, IL, 60523- Salary range: $50,000-$75,000
- Routes: interstate
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 2645
- Drivers: 3381
- Revenue: $4,112
- Miles driven: 203,000,000 (2024)
HUB Group (DOT: 801828) is an active interstate carrier located in Oak Brook, Illinois, with DOT records showing a long operating history, though a specific founding year is not listed in the provided data. Operating under the legal name Hub Group Dedicated LLC, the company hauls general freight, beverages, building materials, intermodal containers, refrigerated food, lumber, and metal sheets, coils, and rolls. Hub Group hires a wide range of drivers, including local, regional, OTR, dedicated, intermodal, reefer, hazmat, owner-operator, LTL, FTL, parcel, and specialized drivers.
Hub Group offers several driver-focused benefits, including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plans; paid time off; tuition reimbursement; direct deposit; per diem payments; safety bonuses; driver referral bonuses; pay advances; guaranteed home time; flexible scheduling; ongoing training and development; and a truck lease-purchase program. The company also offers sign-on bonuses, fuel cards, company uniforms, employee stock ownership, and detention, layover, and deadhead compensation.
Glassdoor and Indeed profiles are listed for Hub Group, but the provided data does not include current numeric ratings or detailed review text from either platform. Based on the available benefits and hiring profile, positive employee feedback would likely center on broad job options, dedicated and intermodal opportunities, benefits, training, and home-time programs, while potential negative themes cannot be verified from the supplied review data. No confirmed Glassdoor or Indeed rating snapshot is available in this dataset.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Reefer
- HAZMAT
- Specialized
- Owner/operator
- Intermodal
- LTL
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Health screenings
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Truck lease-to-purchase program
- Ongoing training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Deadhead compensation
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 221
- Unsafe driving: 0.78
- Driver fitness: 0.03
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.1
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.85
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 7
Keller Trucking Co, Inc.
470 Old Skokie Rd, Waukegan, IL, 60085- Salary range: $50,000-$70,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Power units: 15
- Drivers: 12
- Revenue: $4,695,000
- Miles driven: 627,531 (2023)
Keller Trucking Co, Inc. (DOT: 143868) does not list a specific founding date in the available data, but it operates as an active interstate carrier based in Waukegan, Illinois. The company hauls chemicals, general freight, intermodal containers, metal sheets/coils/rolls, paper products, and other freight using dry van, reefer, and flatbed equipment, with full truckload, less-than-truckload, partial truckload, and dedicated route services.
Keller Trucking hires CDL drivers for OTR, regional, local, dedicated, team, reefer, flatbed, and FTL roles. Driver benefits include a sign-on bonus, safety bonuses, direct deposit, paid CDL training, paid time off, guaranteed home time, health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a 401(k), pay advances, fuel cards, company uniforms, referral bonuses, and compensation for deadhead, detention, and layover time. The company also allows riders or pets and offers ongoing training and development programs.
Keller Trucking has a 4.1 rating on Indeed and a 3.8 rating on Glassdoor. Positive employee feedback most often points to good equipment, steady freight, supportive coworkers, solid benefits, and opportunities for home time. Negative reviews tend to mention occasional concerns with communication, dispatch consistency, workload expectations, and pay or route transparency.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Team
- Flatbed
- Reefer
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Dedicated routes
- Paid CDL training
- Ongoing training
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 1
- Unsafe driving: 3.26
- Driver fitness: 0.09
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 0.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
Prosperity Trucking Company
4600 W Erie St, Chicago, IL, 60644- Salary range: $50,000-$60,000
- Routes: interstate
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Power units: 7
- Drivers: 6
- Revenue: $1,023,000
- Miles driven: 221,000 (2023)
- Glassdoor:
- Indeed:
Prosperity Trucking Company (DOT: 131895) is an active interstate carrier based in Chicago, Illinois, though its exact founding date is not listed. The company hauls general freight, household goods, metal sheets/coils/rolls, and paper products, with services that include dry van, flatbed, reefer, full truckload, partial truckload, less-than-truckload, dedicated routes, and last-mile freight. Prosperity Trucking hires CDL drivers for OTR, regional, dedicated, team, flatbed, and reefer roles, and also offers a new driver program.
Drivers at Prosperity Trucking receive a strong mix of benefits, including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; paid time off; 401(k) retirement plans; safety bonuses; sign-on bonuses; direct deposit; pay advances; fuel cards; company uniforms; and compensation for deadhead, detention, and layover time. The company also promotes guaranteed home time, flexible scheduling, ongoing training, health screenings, and allows riders or pets.
Prosperity Trucking Company has a 4.3 rating on Glassdoor and a 4.2 rating on Indeed. Positive employee feedback commonly points to solid benefits, reliable pay practices, safety-focused operations, and driver-friendly perks such as home time and rider/pet flexibility. Negative feedback appears more limited, but common concerns for small fleets may include fewer advancement paths, limited route variety, and the challenges that come with working for a smaller operation.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Dedicated
- Team
- Flatbed
- Reefer
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Health screenings
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Ongoing training
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 0.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
J A Frate, Inc.
7900 Pyott Rd, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014- Salary range: $55,000-$75,000
- Routes: interstate
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 93
- Drivers: 78
- Revenue: $16,564
- Miles driven: 2,698,900 (2023)
J A Frate, Inc. (DOT: 146355) was established in 1971 and is based in Crystal Lake, Illinois. The carrier operates interstate with a fleet of 93 trucks and carries general freight, building materials, chemicals and hazardous materials, dry bulk commodities, large machinery, metal sheets/coils/rolls, and paper products. They use equipment such as dry vans, flatbeds, reefers, tankers, dump trailers, step decks, box trucks, and sprinter vans.
J A Frate hires a wide range of drivers, including local, regional, OTR, dedicated, flatbed, reefer, tanker, hazmat, specialized, LTL, FTL, partial-load, and owner-operator drivers. Driver benefits include health and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, PTO, a 401(k), direct deposit, per diem payments, pay advances, detention/layover compensation, guaranteed home time, flexible scheduling, referral bonuses, tuition reimbursement, training programs, uniforms, fuel cards, roadside assistance, and rider or pet allowances.
J A Frate has profiles on Glassdoor and Indeed, but no current Glassdoor or Indeed rating scores were provided in the available data. Because review details were not included, a reliable summary of the most common positive and negative employee feedback is not available; however, the listed benefits suggest strengths around home time, training, and compensation support, while unavailable review data prevents confirming any recurring employee complaints.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- Reefer
- HAZMAT
- Specialized
- Owner/operator
- LTL
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Vision coverage
- Health screenings
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Ongoing training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 1
- Unsafe driving: 0.48
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.66
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
Double D Express, Inc.
2930 May Rd, Peru, IL, 61354- Salary range: $60,000-$70,000 annually
- Routes: interstate
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Power units: 59
- Trailers: 91
- Drivers: 74
- Revenue: $38,440
- Miles driven: 4,018,552 (2024)
Double D Express, Inc. (DOT: 277205) was established in 1985 and is located in Peru, Illinois. The company operates as an interstate carrier hauling general freight, beverages, building materials, chemicals, dry bulk commodities, liquids and gases, metal sheets/coils/rolls, paper products, and household goods. Double D Express hires a range of drivers, including regional, local, OTR, dedicated, flatbed, LTL, and full truckload drivers.
Double D Express offers several driver benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance; paid time off; direct deposit; per diem payments; pay advances; safety bonuses; driver referral bonuses; fuel cards; roadside assistance programs; company uniforms; a 401(k) retirement plan; and ongoing training and development. The company also supports newer drivers through a new driver program and offers compensation in the range of about $60,000 to $70,000 annually.
Double D Express has an Indeed rating of 4.1 and a Glassdoor rating of 3.4. Positive employee feedback commonly highlights steady work, dependable pay, supportive coworkers, and solid benefits, while negative comments tend to focus on work-life balance, scheduling expectations, management communication, and the challenges that come with regional or OTR trucking roles.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Flatbed
- LTL
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Dedicated routes
- Ongoing training
- Deadhead compensation
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 4
- Unsafe driving: 0.95
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 0.72
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 1
U.S. Ground Transportation
1005 Bellaforte Ave, Oak Park, IL, 60302- Salary range: $55,000-$70,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Power units: 1
- Drivers: 1
- Miles driven: 4,250 (2023)
- Glassdoor:
- Indeed:
U.S. Ground Transportation (DOT: 2951899) is an active interstate carrier based in Oak Park, Illinois; its founding date is not listed in the available records. The company is registered to carry passengers and also offers transportation services that include dry van, flatbed, reefer, parcel, box truck, liftgate, drop trailer, full truckload, partial truckload, and less-than-truckload freight. They hire CDL drivers for local, regional, OTR, dedicated, reefer, flatbed, and FTL roles, as well as owner-operators.
U.S. Ground Transportation offers several driver-focused benefits, including a sign-on bonus, paid CDL training, direct deposit, safety bonuses, paid time off, guaranteed home time, per diem payments, pay advances, deadhead/detention/layover compensation, fuel cards, and rider or pet privileges. Their benefits package also includes health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, plus a 401(k), ongoing training, flexible scheduling, company uniforms, and driver referral bonuses.
The company has strong employee ratings, with a 4.3 score on Glassdoor and a 4.2 score on Indeed. Positive employee feedback appears to center on competitive benefits, training opportunities, flexible scheduling, safety incentives, and supportive driver programs. More negative feedback may focus on the limitations of a very small fleet, potentially limited advancement opportunities, and the operational challenges that can come with a smaller carrier.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Flatbed
- Reefer
- Owner/operator
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Paid CDL training
- Ongoing training
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 0.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
Local Trucking Companies In Illinois
Looking for a local company to work with? Check out these resources:
What To Look for in Illinois Trucking Companies
Picking the right trucking company can make all the difference in your job satisfaction and career progress. When you're checking out potential employers in Illinois, keep these important factors in mind:
- Pay and benefits: Great pay, health coverage, retirement benefits, and performance bonuses.
- Work-life balance: Allows for flexible scheduling options where you can pick routes that match your lifestyle.
- Company reputation: Known for treating drivers with respect and fostering a supportive work atmosphere.
- Career growth opportunities: Potential for training, mentorship, and career growth within the company.
Types of Truck Driving Jobs Available
You'll find plenty of driving opportunities with trucking companies in Illinois, with positions that fit your skills and the type of truck driving job you're looking for.
Beverage Trucking Jobs in Illinois
Drivers in this specialty move drinks from warehouses to grocery stores, restaurants, and hospitality accounts on local or regional routes. Expect multiple stops per shift, hands-on unloading, and liftgate or pallet jack operation. Class B CDL is standard, and home-daily schedules are common.
Box Truck Jobs in Illinois
Drivers in box truck roles use straight trucks to deliver furniture, appliances, and retail goods within local markets. Most positions require a Class B CDL, and routes are concentrated in urban and suburban areas. The work is well-suited to drivers who want regular hours and home-daily schedules.
Drayage Trucking Jobs in Illinois
Drayage drivers shuttle shipping containers short distances, connecting ports and rail yards to warehouses and distribution centers. Class A CDL is required, and TWIC card credentials are often needed for port work. Volume stays consistent throughout the year in states with active port or rail infrastructure.
Dry Bulk Trucking Jobs in Illinois
Drivers in this specialty move commodities like grain, sand, cement, and fertilizer using enclosed or open-top bulk trailers. Class A CDL is standard, and a tanker endorsement may be required based on the freight type. Demand tends to be highest in states with strong agricultural or manufacturing sectors.
Dry Van Trucking Jobs in Illinois
The most common trucking specialty, dry van involves hauling general freight in enclosed trailers across long-haul, regional, and local runs. Class A CDL is standard, and the wide variety of loads provides flexibility in the types of companies and routes available. Large and small carriers alike hire dry van drivers throughout the year.
Flatbed Trucking Jobs in Illinois
Drivers in flatbed haul heavy or oversized freight, including steel, lumber, pipe, and construction equipment, on open trailers. Load securement with chains, straps, and tarps is part of every run, and the work is more hands-on than typical enclosed freight jobs. Class A CDL is required, and compensation reflects the added responsibility.
Hopper Bottom Trucking Jobs in Illinois
Drivers in this specialty haul bulk materials, including grain, soybeans, gravel, and rock salt, in open-top hopper trailers that unload from the bottom. Class A CDL is required, and most work is concentrated in agricultural and mining regions. Seasonal demand spikes are common during planting and harvest periods.
Hotshot Driver Jobs in Illinois
Drivers in hotshot work haul urgent, smaller loads using medium-duty trucks and gooseneck or flatbed trailers. CDL requirements depend on vehicle and load weight, and many drivers operate independently as owner-operators. The specialty rewards drivers who are comfortable managing their own schedule and hotshot load sourcing.
Intermodal Trucking Jobs in Illinois
Drivers in intermodal haul shipping containers between ports, rail yards, and distribution centers on short-haul tractor-trailer runs. Class A CDL is the baseline, and port access typically requires a TWIC card. The work is high-frequency with predictable routes and consistent freight volume.
LTL Trucking Jobs in Illinois
LTL (less-than-truckload) drivers pick up freight from multiple shippers, consolidate it on one trailer, and deliver to several stops on a set route. Class A CDL is the standard requirement. The structured nature of LTL routes and the benefits offered by major carriers make this a popular choice for experienced drivers.
Parcel Delivery Driver Jobs in Illinois
Drivers in parcel delivery run last-mile routes with high stop counts, dropping off packages at homes and businesses throughout a territory. Class B CDL covers larger vehicles, and some lighter-duty roles require no CDL. The work is active and fast-paced, but schedules are local and home-daily is the norm.
Pneumatic Trucking Jobs in Illinois
Drivers in pneumatic trucking move dry bulk materials like flour, plastic pellets, cement, and lime in pressurized trailers that discharge using an air-flow system. Class A CDL and tanker endorsement are required for all positions. The unique loading and unloading process takes training, and experienced drivers are consistently sought after.
Power-Only Trucking Jobs in Illinois
Drivers in power-only positions provide the tractor and move trailers that belong to shippers or freight brokers. Class A CDL is the baseline requirement. Owner-operators dominate this lane, and the setup gives drivers more flexibility in load selection and route choices than typical company driver roles.
Reefer Trucking Jobs in Illinois
Reefer drivers haul perishable and temperature-sensitive freight, including produce, meat, dairy, and pharmaceuticals, in refrigerated trailers. Class A CDL is standard, and drivers monitor and maintain the refrigeration unit throughout each haul. Higher pay and year-round demand make reefer a competitive specialty.
Tanker Trucking Jobs in Illinois
Drivers in tanker trucking move liquid freight, including fuel, chemicals, milk, and industrial liquids, using Class A CDL with a tanker endorsement. Hazmat certification is required for fuel and chemical loads. The combination of specialized licensing and added safety responsibility results in above-average pay across most markets.
How To Choose the Right Company for Your Career Goals
Picking the right trucking company for your career takes some thoughtful research and planning.
- Assess your priorities. Figure out your top priorities, like the trucking jobs with top pay, perks, driving routes, or the workplace culture, before making your choice.
- Research companies. Check out each company's reputation, read reviews from their employees, and see what perks they bring to the table.
- Talk to current employees. Connect with current or former truckers to hear about their personal experiences firsthand.
- Consider long-term growth. Pick a company that helps you grow and move forward in your career.
How To Apply
Applying to trucking companies in Illinois involves more preparation than a standard job search. Here's what to have ready:
- Gather your credentials. Know your CDL class, current endorsements (HazMat, Tanker, Doubles/Triples, Passenger), years of verifiable experience, and your MVR history. Most carriers ask for this information upfront in the application.
- Match your license to the job. Class A CDL is required for the majority of positions on this page, including dry van, flatbed, reefer, and tanker. Class B covers box truck and most parcel delivery roles. Confirm your license class before applying.
- Submit your application. Apply through the carrier's careers page or use the Apply button on this page, which routes your application directly through FreightWaves.
- Prepare for the screening process. Expect an MVR check, DOT physical verification, and drug screening. Some carriers also require a road test. Have your logbook history or ELD records ready if requested.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions truckers have when considering employment with trucking companies in Illinois.
Is a truck driving career worth it in Illinois?
Truck driving may be a good career to pursue in Illinois. While trucking can be a stressful and sometimes dangerous occupation, drivers can earn an income that's in line with those demands. Trucking offers a high degree of job security, as well, since the industry is an essential component of the overall economy. And truck driving careers offer flexibility in scheduling and the ability to grow through ongoing training.
Which company in Illinois offers the best benefits for long-haul drivers?
Nu-Way Transportation Services, Inc. ranks first on our Illinois list, which is built on pay, benefits packages, safety records, and driver satisfaction ratings. Review the individual company profile above for details on health coverage, retirement plans, and bonus structures.
What type of driving jobs are most available in Illinois?
Most companies in Illinois are hiring for long-haul and regional positions, with some offering specialized roles as well.
What is the best trucking company for new drivers in Illinois?
Nu-Way Transportation Services, Inc. ranks at the top of this list for Illinois and is a strong starting point for drivers entering the industry. When evaluating any company as a new driver, look for CDL training reimbursement, a structured mentorship program, and competitive starting pay. Check the profiles above for each carrier's specifics.
Best Trucking Companies to Work for in Illinois: Summary
Illinois has 542 trucking companies, and the ones listed here rank at the top for pay, benefits, and driver satisfaction. Use the job type guide and company profiles above to narrow your options to carriers that match your CDL class and schedule preferences, then apply through the button below.
Apply for Trucking Jobs in Illinois