10 Best Trucking Companies To Work for in Iowa (August 2026)
Green Products is the best trucking company to work for in Iowa. FreightWaves reviewed 153 companies in the state and evaluated pay, benefits, safety records, and driver satisfaction ratings to reach that ranking.
Best Trucking Companies To Work for in Iowa
Here are our picks for the top-tier Iowa 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 Iowa. Every Iowa 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 Iowa.
Green Products
16902 290th St, Conrad, IA, 50621- Salary range: $70,000-$90,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 58
- Trailers: 135
- Drivers: 58
- Revenue: $94,318,000
- Miles driven: 4,618,458 (2024)
Green Products (DOT: 171388) was established in 1947 and is based in Conrad, Iowa. The company operates in agricultural processing and transportation, hauling agricultural and farm supplies, grain, feed, hay, dry bulk commodities, refrigerated foods, fresh produce, beverages, meat, paper products, building materials, and general freight. Green Products hires a wide range of drivers, including local, regional, OTR, dedicated, reefer, flatbed, tanker, intermodal, LTL, FTL, partial-load, parcel, owner-operator, specialized, and hazmat-qualified drivers.
Green Products offers several driver-focused benefits, including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; paid time off; a 401(k); employee stock ownership; direct deposit; safety and referral bonuses; sign-on bonuses; per diem; detention, layover, and deadhead pay; tuition reimbursement; paid CDL training; and ongoing training programs. Drivers may also benefit from guaranteed home time, flexible scheduling, fuel cards, roadside assistance, health screenings, gym membership, company uniforms, special-access rest stops or lounges, and truck lease-purchase options.
Employee ratings are generally favorable, with Green Products holding a 3.7 rating on Indeed and a 5.0 rating on Glassdoor. Positive feedback commonly points to solid pay, strong benefits, steady work, newer equipment, and a supportive workplace culture. Negative feedback tends to focus on long or demanding hours, seasonal workload swings, occasional communication issues, and work-life balance challenges tied to freight schedules.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- Reefer
- HAZMAT
- Specialized
- Owner/operator
- Intermodal
- LTL
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Health screenings
- Gym membership
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- 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: 2.18
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.18
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.07
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
Simon's Trucking
920 Simon Drive, Farley, IA, 52046- Salary range: $60,000-$80,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 135
- Drivers: 100
- Revenue: $6,115,000
- Miles driven: 9,970,239 (2024)
Simon's Trucking (DOT: 164492) was established in 1946 and is located in Farley, Iowa. The company operates as an interstate carrier with a 135-truck fleet and hauls a wide range of freight, including general freight, refrigerated foods, fresh produce, meat, beverages, chemicals, dry bulk commodities, grain/feed/hay, liquids/gases, livestock, machinery, metal sheets/coils/rolls, and paper products. Simon's Trucking hires several driver types, including local, regional, OTR, dedicated, reefer, hazmat, tanker, intermodal, LTL, FTL, partial, specialized, and owner-operator drivers.
Simon's Trucking offers a strong driver benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid time off; a 401(k); employee stock ownership; direct deposit; per diem payments; safety and referral bonuses; sign-on bonuses; tuition reimbursement; paid CDL training; pay advances; and deadhead, detention, and layover compensation. Drivers may also benefit from dedicated routes, flexible scheduling, ongoing training, fuel cards, company uniforms, late-model equipment, and a truck lease-purchase program.
Simon's Trucking has a 4.1 rating on Glassdoor and a 3.9 rating on Indeed. Positive employee feedback commonly points to solid equipment, competitive benefits, steady work, and a supportive company culture with long industry experience. Negative feedback tends to focus on the usual trucking challenges, such as long hours, work-life balance concerns, dispatch or communication issues, and the difficulty of balancing home time with freight demands.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Tanker
- Reefer
- HAZMAT
- Specialized
- Owner/operator
- Intermodal
- LTL
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Health screenings
- Life insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- 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: 6
- Unsafe driving: 1.56
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.17
- Vehicle maintenance: 0.96
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 2
Tucker Freight Lines, Inc.
1080 East 12th Street, Dubuque, IA, 52001- Salary range: $55,000-$75,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Power units: 290
- Drivers: 290
- Revenue: $18,529,000
- Miles driven: 26,000,000 (2024)
Tucker Freight Lines, Inc. (DOT: 1674) is a trucking company founded in 1956 and based in Dubuque, Iowa. Operating as an interstate carrier with a fleet of about 290 power units, the company hauls general freight, beverages, building materials, construction materials, grain, hay, lumber, machinery, metal sheets/coils/rolls, oilfield equipment, paper products, and hazardous materials. Tucker Freight Lines hires a range of drivers, including local, regional, OTR, dedicated, flatbed, reefer, hazmat, specialized, LTL, FTL, and owner-operator drivers.
Tucker Freight Lines offers several driver benefits, including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; paid time off; a 401(k); direct deposit; per diem pay; safety bonuses; sign-on and referral bonuses; guaranteed home time; flexible scheduling; paid CDL training; ongoing training programs; pay advances; fuel cards; uniforms; gym membership; and compensation for deadhead, detention, and layover time. The company also supports drivers with options such as a truck lease-purchase program and roadside assistance programs.
Employee ratings are generally positive, with Tucker Freight Lines holding a 4.3 rating on Glassdoor and a 3.9 rating on Indeed. Positive feedback commonly highlights steady freight, good pay and benefits, newer equipment, and supportive management or dispatch teams. Negative reviews tend to mention long hours, occasional communication issues, route or schedule frustrations, and home-time expectations that may vary depending on freight demand and driver role.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Flatbed
- Reefer
- HAZMAT
- Specialized
- Owner/operator
- 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
- Paid CDL training
- Ongoing training
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 19
- Unsafe driving: 1.34
- Driver fitness: 0.01
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.03
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.24
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
Heartland Express
901 Heartland Way, North Liberty, IA, 52317- Salary range: $50,000-$60,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Power units: 1806
- Drivers: 1705
- Revenue: $26,310
- Miles driven: 167,000,000 (2023)
Heartland Express (DOT: 134697) is an interstate carrier based in North Liberty, Iowa, and was founded in 1978. The company hauls general freight, beverages, building materials, dry bulk commodities, paper products, and refrigerated food, primarily through dry van, dedicated, drop-trailer, and cross-border services. Heartland Express hires OTR, regional, local, dedicated, team-service, owner-operator, and newer drivers through its paid CDL training and new driver programs.
Heartland Express offers a strong mix of driver benefits, including sign-on bonuses, health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, paid time off, a 401(k), employee stock ownership, direct deposit, per diem payments, safety bonuses, referral bonuses, guaranteed home time, flexible scheduling, and deadhead, detention, and layover compensation. Drivers may also benefit from ongoing training, roadside assistance programs, fuel cards, company uniforms, and access to a relatively modern fleet with an average fleet age of about two years.
Heartland Express has a 3.2 rating on both Indeed and Glassdoor. Positive employee feedback commonly highlights reliable equipment, steady freight, decent benefits, paid training opportunities, and a safety-focused work environment. Negative reviews often mention concerns about dispatch communication, inconsistent home time, pay expectations, and management responsiveness.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- 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
- Paid CDL training
- Ongoing training
- Deadhead compensation
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 145
- Unsafe driving: 1.4
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.11
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
Crst The Transportation Solution, Inc.
3930 16th Ave Sw, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52404- Salary range: $50,000-$60,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 4608
- Drivers: 5463
- Revenue: $42,100,000
- Miles driven: 441,000,000 (2023)
Crst The Transportation Solution, Inc. (DOT: 53773) was established in 1955 and is based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The carrier hauls a broad mix of freight, including general freight, agricultural supplies, beverages, building materials, chemicals, dry bulk commodities, construction materials, grain, intermodal containers, liquids and gases, lumber, machinery, meat, metal products, oilfield equipment, paper products, refrigerated food, utilities, and garbage/refuse.
CRST hires a wide range of drivers, including team, OTR, regional, local, dedicated, expedited, hazmat, reefer, flatbed, intermodal, LTL, tanker, heavy haul, specialized, vocational, owner-operator, and new CDL drivers. Driver benefits include paid CDL training, sign-on bonuses, safety and referral bonuses, health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a 401(k), employee stock ownership, PTO, guaranteed home time, tuition reimbursement, per diem, direct deposit, pay advances, fuel cards, lease-purchase options, detention/layover/deadhead compensation, and ongoing training.
Glassdoor and Indeed rating scores were not available in the provided data. Employee feedback for CRST on major review platforms is generally mixed: positive comments often highlight the company’s training opportunities, large freight network, steady work, and benefits, while negative feedback commonly points to concerns about home time consistency, communication with dispatch, pay expectations, and the challenges newer drivers may face while getting established.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Team
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- Reefer
- HAZMAT
- Specialized
- Owner/operator
- Freight hauler
- Intermodal
- LTL
- Expedited
- Heavy haul
- Vocational
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Health screenings
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- 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: 388
- Unsafe driving: 1.09
- Driver fitness: 0.02
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.22
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.91
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 3
Ruan Transportation Management Systems
666 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50309- Salary range: $60,000-$70,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Power units: 2980
- Trailers: 6667
- Drivers: 3612
- Revenue: $2,035,000
- Miles driven: 284,000,000 (2024)
Ruan Transportation Management Systems (DOT: 55787) was founded in 1932 and is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. The company hauls beverages, building materials, chemicals and hazardous materials, dry bulk commodities, general freight, liquids and gases, metal sheets/coils/rolls, refrigerated food, and other cargo. Ruan hires a broad mix of drivers, including local, regional, OTR, dedicated, flatbed, reefer, tanker, intermodal, LTL, FTL, partial-load drivers, and owner-operators.
Ruan offers several driver-focused benefits, including sign-on bonuses, paid CDL training, direct deposit, pay advances, safety bonuses, per diem pay, guaranteed home time, paid time off, fuel cards, roadside assistance programs, and ongoing training and development. Benefits also include health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, plus a 401(k) retirement plan. The company also supports drivers with dedicated routes, flexible scheduling, and lease-purchase opportunities.
Ruan has a 3.9 rating on Glassdoor and a 3.4 rating on Indeed. Positive employee feedback commonly highlights steady work, good benefits, newer equipment, supportive local teams, and stable dedicated accounts. Negative reviews more often mention inconsistent management communication, variations in pay or route expectations by account, work-life balance concerns, and occasional frustration with scheduling or dispatch processes.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- Reefer
- Owner/operator
- Intermodal
- LTL
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Truck lease-to-purchase program
- Paid CDL training
- Ongoing training
- Deadhead compensation
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 218
- Unsafe driving: 0.68
- Driver fitness: 0.05
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.06
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.92
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 21
ALL Seasons Trucking, Inc.
7750 Windy Ridge, Dubuque, IA, 52003- Salary range: $60,000-$70,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Power units: 29
- Drivers: 26
- Revenue: $1,668
- Miles driven: 2,327,154 (2023)
ALL Seasons Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 491019) was established in 1992 and is located in Dubuque, Iowa. The company operates as an interstate carrier with a small fleet and hauls general freight, agricultural and farm supplies, building materials, dry bulk commodities, construction materials, grain/feed/hay, liquids/gases, lumber, machinery, metal sheets/coils/rolls, and utilities freight. They hire OTR, regional, dedicated, flatbed, specialized, full-truckload, owner-operator, and team-service drivers.
ALL Seasons Trucking offers several driver benefits, including a sign-on bonus, health insurance, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, paid time off, a 401(k), direct deposit, safety bonuses, driver referral bonuses, guaranteed home time, fuel cards, company uniforms, ongoing training, paid CDL training, and a truck lease-purchase program. Drivers may also receive deadhead, detention, or layover compensation and access to special rest stops or lounges.
Public Glassdoor and Indeed profiles are listed for ALL Seasons Trucking, but no employee rating scores were provided in the available data. Because no review text or ratings are available here, common positive and negative employee feedback cannot be reliably summarized; however, the company’s advertised strengths center on benefits, training, bonuses, and home-time support, while prospective drivers may want to ask directly about scheduling consistency, route expectations, and day-to-day work-life balance.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Dedicated
- Flatbed
- Specialized
- Owner/operator
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Life insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Truck lease-to-purchase program
- Paid CDL training
- Ongoing training
- Deadhead compensation
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 2.83
- Driver fitness: 0.27
- Hours-of-service compliance: 1.79
- Vehicle maintenance: 5.2
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
West Side Transport, Inc.
11801 6th St Sw, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52404- Salary range: $50,000-$70,000
- Routes: interstate
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Power units: 515
- Drivers: 567
- Revenue: $107,398,000
- Miles driven: 47,300,000 (2023)
- Glassdoor:
- Indeed:
West Side Transport, Inc. (DOT: 165881) is a Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based carrier located at 11801 6th St SW. Founded in 1975, the company operates an interstate fleet hauling general freight, building materials, household goods, paper products, and related dry van, refrigerated, flatbed, parcel, truckload, partial truckload, and LTL freight. West Side primarily hires CDL drivers for OTR, regional, dedicated, team, reefer, and full-truckload roles.
West Side Transport offers several driver-focused benefits, including sign-on bonuses, health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, a 401(k), paid time off, direct deposit, safety bonuses, referral bonuses, pay advances, fuel cards, company uniforms, guaranteed home time, and compensation for deadhead, detention, and layover. The company also supports newer drivers through training and development programs and maintains a relatively modern fleet with an average age of about three years.
West Side Transport has a 4.0 rating on both Glassdoor and Indeed. Positive employee feedback commonly points to steady freight, supportive staff, solid equipment, competitive benefits, and dependable home-time options for many routes. Negative reviews tend to mention occasional communication issues, route or dispatch frustrations, and concerns that pay or home time can vary depending on the lane, account, or driver assignment.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Dedicated
- Team
- Reefer
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Dedicated routes
- Ongoing training
- Deadhead compensation
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 43
- Unsafe driving: 1.33
- Driver fitness: 0.01
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.13
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.54
- Controlled substances: 0.02
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
Jacobson Transportation Company, Inc.
1275 128th St, Clive, IA, 50325- Salary range: $55,000 - $65,000
- Routes: interstate
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Power units: 339
- Drivers: 325
- Revenue: $1,374,000
- Miles driven: 25,500,000 (2024)
Jacobson Transportation Company, Inc. (DOT: 241594) was established in 2018 and is located in Clive, Iowa. The carrier operates interstate and hauls a wide range of freight, including general freight, refrigerated food, beverages, meat, chemicals, building materials, grain/feed/hay, intermodal containers, liquids/gases, machinery, metal sheets/coils/rolls, paper products, and drive/tow-away cargo. They hire local, regional, OTR, dedicated, flatbed, reefer, hazmat, specialized, LTL, partial, and full truckload drivers, as well as owner-operators.
Jacobson Transportation offers several driver-focused benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan; paid time off; direct deposit; safety bonuses; driver referral bonuses; deadhead, detention, and layover compensation; guaranteed home time; flexible scheduling; fuel cards; roadside assistance programs; gym membership; and ongoing training and development. They also offer sign-on bonuses, a truck lease-purchase program, and allow riders or pets.
Jacobson Transportation has an Indeed rating of 3.6 and a Glassdoor rating of 2.6. Positive employee feedback commonly points to steady freight, decent pay and benefits, dedicated route options, and supportive coworkers. Negative reviews more often mention concerns around management communication, dispatch consistency, workload expectations, and work-life balance.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Flatbed
- Reefer
- HAZMAT
- Specialized
- Owner/operator
- LTL
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Health screenings
- Gym membership
- Life insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Truck lease-to-purchase program
- Ongoing training
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 22
- Unsafe driving: 2.07
- Driver fitness: 0.05
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.27
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.53
- Controlled substances: 0.04
- Hazardous materials violations: 4
DON Hummer Trucking Corporation
505 33rd Avenue Sw, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52404- Salary range: $55,000-$65,000
- Routes: interstate
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Power units: 320
- Drivers: 334
- Revenue: $78,400
- Miles driven: 36,500,000 (2024)
DON Hummer Trucking Corporation (DOT: 307512) was established in 1982 and is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The carrier hauls beverages, building materials, fresh produce, general freight, meat, paper products, and refrigerated foods using services that include dry van, reefer, flatbed, power-only, drayage, and dedicated freight. They hire OTR, regional, local, dedicated, reefer, flatbed, full truckload, specialized, owner-operator, and team-service drivers.
DON Hummer Trucking Corporation offers a strong mix of driver benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid time off; a 401(k) retirement plan; direct deposit; safety bonuses; driver referral bonuses; sign-on bonuses; guaranteed home time; flexible scheduling; fuel cards; health screenings; and deadhead, detention, and layover compensation. The company also offers employee stock ownership, ongoing training and development, and a new driver program.
Current Glassdoor and Indeed rating scores are not available in the provided data, so a verified review-based rating snapshot cannot be confirmed. Based on the available employment details, the company’s strongest employee-facing positives appear to be its benefits package, home-time emphasis, safety incentives, and variety of driving opportunities. Common negative feedback trends cannot be reliably summarized from the provided information because no Glassdoor or Indeed review excerpts were included.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Flatbed
- Reefer
- Specialized
- Owner/operator
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Health screenings
- Life 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: 25
- Unsafe driving: 1.62
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.19
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.61
- Controlled substances: 0.01
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
Local Trucking Companies In Iowa
Looking for a local company to work with? Check out these resources:
What To Look for in Iowa Trucking Companies
Choosing the right trucking company is the key to your career satisfaction and growth. Here are some factors to consider when you're evaluating potential employers in Iowa:
- Pay and benefits: Competitive salaries, health insurance, retirement plans, and bonuses.
- Work-life balance: Flexible scheduling and the ability to choose routes that fit your lifestyle.
- Company reputation: A strong reputation for treating drivers well and providing a supportive work environment.
- Career growth opportunities: Availability of training, mentorship, and pathways for advancement within the company.
Types of Truck Driving Jobs Available
In Iowa, trucking companies have a wide range of driving jobs to match your experience and preferences:
Beverage Trucking Jobs in Iowa
Beverage trucking covers the delivery of drinks, from beer and soda to bottled water, wine, and spirits, to stores, bars, and restaurants. Routes are typically local or regional with high stop counts, and the work often involves unloading cases and operating liftgates. Class B CDL covers most positions, and drivers are generally home every night.
Box Truck Jobs in Iowa
Box truck work involves hauling furniture, appliances, retail merchandise, and general freight on local routes. Class B CDL is standard for most roles, and routes typically stay within a city or suburban area. Drivers who prefer predictable schedules and local routes fit well in this specialty.
Drayage Trucking Jobs in Iowa
Drayage is a short-haul specialty focused on moving containers between ports, rail terminals, and distribution facilities. Class A CDL is standard, and port access often requires a TWIC card. The work is high-frequency with short runs, making it a good fit for drivers who prefer staying close to a hub.
Dry Bulk Trucking Jobs in Iowa
Dry bulk work involves hauling loose materials, including grain, cement, salt, sand, and fertilizer, in specialized trailers. Class A CDL is required for most roles, and a tanker endorsement is often needed depending on the commodity. Agricultural and industrial markets drive the most consistent demand.
Dry Van Trucking Jobs in Iowa
Dry van covers general enclosed freight across long-haul, regional, and local routes and is the most widely available trucking job type. Class A CDL is required, and the broad range of freight makes it accessible to drivers at all experience levels. Most major carriers post dry van openings consistently throughout the year.
Flatbed Trucking Jobs in Iowa
Flatbed work covers open-trailer freight, including steel coils, lumber, heavy machinery, and construction materials. Drivers are responsible for securing loads with chains, straps, and tarps at each pickup, which adds physical work to the role. Class A CDL is standard, and the specialized skills involved typically result in higher pay.
Hopper Bottom Trucking Jobs in Iowa
Hopper bottom trailers have open tops and cone-shaped bottoms designed to gravity-unload bulk commodities like grain, gravel, and rock salt. Class A CDL is the baseline requirement. Agricultural and mining regions have the strongest demand, and freight volume often peaks during harvest seasons.
Hotshot Driver Jobs in Iowa
Hotshot trucking covers expedited, smaller freight on medium-duty trucks with gooseneck or flatbed trailers. CDL requirements vary based on vehicle weight and load size, and the setup is popular among owner-operators. Drivers who want flexibility over structure tend to fit well in this lane.
Intermodal Trucking Jobs in Iowa
Intermodal work puts drivers on short runs moving containers between ports, rail terminals, and warehouses. Class A CDL is required, and TWIC cards are standard for port-side positions. High turn volume and structured schedules make this a reliable choice for drivers who prefer local freight.
LTL Trucking Jobs in Iowa
Less-than-truckload work puts drivers on structured routes with freight from multiple shippers loaded onto one trailer and delivered at several stops. Class A CDL is required, and large LTL carriers are known for competitive benefits. Drivers who prefer consistency and local or regional routes fit well in this specialty.
Parcel Delivery Driver Jobs in Iowa
Parcel delivery drivers move packages on last-mile routes serving residential and commercial addresses. CDL requirements vary by vehicle size, with Class B covering larger step vans and some roles requiring no CDL at all. Stop counts are high, the pace is fast, and drivers are home daily.
Pneumatic Trucking Jobs in Iowa
Pneumatic tanker work involves hauling dry bulk commodities, including flour, plastic pellets, cement, and lime, in pressurized trailers that use compressed air to unload. Class A CDL and tanker endorsement are required. The specialized nature of the equipment keeps experienced pneumatic drivers in steady demand.
Power-Only Trucking Jobs in Iowa
Power-only work puts drivers in the cab to move shipper-owned or broker-controlled trailers without providing the trailer themselves. Class A CDL is required. The arrangement is popular with owner-operators and gives drivers more control over which lanes and loads they accept.
Reefer Trucking Jobs in Iowa
Refrigerated trucking puts drivers on temperature-controlled runs carrying produce, dairy, meat, and pharmaceutical freight. Class A CDL is required, and managing the reefer unit is part of the driver's responsibility. Pay is generally higher than dry van positions, and freight volume stays consistent across seasons.
Tanker Trucking Jobs in Iowa
Tanker work involves hauling liquid and gas freight, including fuel, chemicals, milk, and industrial liquids, in specialized tanker trailers. Class A CDL and tanker endorsement are required, and hazmat credentials are needed for fuel and chemical routes. Higher pay reflects the licensing requirements and safety responsibilities of the specialty.
How To Choose the Right Company for Your Career Goals
Finding a trucking company that fits your career goals requires a bit of careful digging and consideration.
- Assess your priorities. Decide what matters most to you, whether it's the top-paying trucking positions, benefits, available routes, or a company's culture, before choosing.
- Research companies. Take a look at each company's reputation, scan through employee reviews, and see what benefits they offer.
- Talk to current employees. Reach out to current or former drivers and ask them about their personal experiences with the company.
- Consider long-term growth. Choose a company that supports your career growth and advancement.
How To Apply
Applying to trucking companies in Iowa 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 Iowa.
Is a truck driving career worth it in Iowa?
Truck driving may be a good career to pursue in Iowa. 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 Iowa offers the best benefits for long-haul drivers?
Green Products ranks first on our Iowa 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 Iowa?
Most companies in Iowa 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 Iowa?
Green Products ranks at the top of this list for Iowa 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 Iowa: Summary
Iowa has 153 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 Iowa