Best Trucking Companies in Illinois
10 top-ranked carriers hiring in Illinois. Compare pay, hiring status, and find the right fit for your driving career.
Illinois Trucking Market Overview
Illinois — specifically Chicago — is the freight capital of North America. More rail tonnage passes through Chicago than any other city on earth, making it the nation's intermodal epicenter. The convergence of six Class I railroads, multiple interstate highways, and O'Hare Airport creates unmatched freight density. LTL carriers, intermodal operators, and dedicated fleets all compete aggressively for drivers in this market.
Top 10 Companies in Illinois
TForce Freight's massive Chicago terminal complex is one of the largest LTL operations in the country with strong Teamsters wages.
XPO's Chicagoland terminal network is a hub for their national LTL operations with home-daily positions and overtime opportunities.
J.B. Hunt's Chicago intermodal operations are the largest in the country, leveraging the city's status as the nation's rail hub.
Schneider runs heavy intermodal, tanker, and dedicated freight through the Chicago gateway with strong training support.
Roadrunner is headquartered near Chicago and offers competitive linehaul pay for drivers running their national LTL network.
Ruan operates dedicated fleet contracts for Illinois food and beverage companies with predictable local routes.
ODFL's Chicago service centers offer industry-leading LTL compensation in one of the most competitive freight markets.
FedEx Freight's extensive Chicagoland operations handle massive freight volume with home-daily city and linehaul positions.
Heartland runs regional lanes through Illinois's I-55, I-57, and I-80 corridors with frequent home time options.
Amazon's massive Chicagoland fulfillment network creates abundant middle-mile CDL positions with competitive hourly pay.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking in Illinois
What is the best trucking company to work for in Illinois?
Based on our 2026 rankings, TForce Freight (formerly UPS Freight) ranks #1 in Illinois with an average pay of $82,000 per year. They earned the top spot because tforce freight's massive chicago terminal complex is one of the largest ltl operations in the country with strong teamsters wages. The best choice for you depends on your experience level, preferred driving type, and home time needs.
How much do truck drivers make in Illinois?
Pay varies by carrier and position type. Among the top companies in Illinois, average pay ranges from $72,000 to $82,000 per year for company drivers. Owner-operators and specialized drivers (tanker, HazMat) can earn significantly more. The state's top industries — Intermodal & Rail, LTL & Distribution, Food & Beverage — influence which types of driving pay the most.
Which trucking companies are hiring in Illinois right now?
As of 2026, XPO, J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Schneider National, Amazon Freight are all actively hiring in Illinois. 5 additional companies are also hiring at a steady pace. Companies marked as "Selective" are hiring but have stricter experience requirements.