Heartland Express Review 2026

Pay, Benefits, Home Time & Driver Ratings

Founded 1978North Liberty, IAFleet: 5,000+ trucks

Driver Rating

3.3/5 — Average

Annual Pay

$55,000 - $80,000

Solo CPM

$0.48 - $0.62 CPM

Sign-On Bonus

Up to $5,000 (market-dependent)

Driver Rating

3.3/5 — Average

Heartland Express Overview

Heartland Express has been operating since 1978, growing from a small Iowa carrier into one of the largest truckload companies in the U.S. Headquartered in North Liberty, Iowa, Heartland operates over 5,000 trucks with a focus on short-to-medium haul irregular-route freight. The company went through a major expansion phase by acquiring several carriers including Crete Carrier Corporation in 2022.

Heartland's operating model focuses on shorter average haul lengths compared to typical OTR carriers, which means drivers often get home more frequently. The company primarily serves the eastern two-thirds of the United States. Heartland runs an all-Freightliner fleet with a strong emphasis on fuel efficiency and on-time delivery metrics.

The company has undergone significant changes following its acquisition spree, and driver experiences can vary depending on which legacy fleet or terminal they're assigned to. Heartland has historically paid competitive rates for short-haul work, but the integration of acquired carriers has created some growing pains.

Pay & Benefits

Solo CPM

$0.48 - $0.62 CPM

Team CPM

$0.56 - $0.68 CPM (split)

Annual Earnings

$55,000 - $80,000

Sign-On Bonus

Up to $5,000 (market-dependent)

Benefits Package

  • Medical, dental, vision insurance
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Paid orientation
  • Late-model equipment with APUs
  • Weekly direct deposit pay
View full pay breakdown →

Equipment Used

Freightliner Cascadia (all-Freightliner fleet)53' dry van trailers

Home Time Policy

Heartland Express drivers typically get home every 1-2 weeks due to the company's shorter average haul lengths. Many lanes are designed to bring drivers through or near their home terminal regularly. Dedicated and regional positions offer weekly home time. Heartland's home time is generally better than traditional long-haul OTR carriers.

Training Program

Heartland Express offers a recent graduate program for drivers who already have their CDL-A but limited experience. The company does not operate its own CDL school. New drivers go through an orientation program and are paired with an experienced driver for a training period before being assigned their own truck.

Hiring Requirements

Minimum Age

21 years old

Minimum Experience

1 year CDL-A preferred; some recent graduate programs available

CDL Required

Yes — CDL-A

Clean MVR Required

Yes

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Shorter average haul length means more frequent home time than typical OTR carriers
  • Late-model Freightliner Cascadia fleet with consistent equipment quality
  • Paid orientation with travel expenses covered
  • Strong freight network in the eastern U.S. means less deadhead and more loaded miles
  • Weekly home time options available for many lanes

Cons

  • Integration of acquired carriers has created inconsistencies in operations and driver support
  • Limited geographic coverage if you want to run western states
  • Driver turnover has increased during acquisition integration periods
  • Some drivers report micromanagement through telematics and camera systems

Best For

Heartland Express is recommended for:

  • Drivers wanting shorter haul OTR with better home time
  • Experienced drivers in the eastern U.S.
  • Drivers preferring a Freightliner fleet

Overall Driver Rating

3.3/5

Based on compiled driver feedback, industry reputation, and compensation analysis. Rating last updated March 2026.

Heartland Express FAQs

Does Heartland Express hire recent CDL graduates?
Heartland Express primarily prefers drivers with at least 1 year of CDL-A experience. However, they do have some recent graduate programs available at select terminals. These programs pair new drivers with experienced mentors. Your chances improve if you graduated from an accredited CDL school and have a clean MVR.
How often do Heartland Express drivers get home?
Heartland Express drivers typically get home every 1-2 weeks because the company focuses on shorter-haul lanes rather than coast-to-coast OTR runs. Many routes are designed to loop drivers back through their home terminal regularly. This is one of Heartland's primary selling points compared to traditional long-haul carriers.
What happened when Heartland Express acquired Crete Carrier?
Heartland Express acquired Crete Carrier Corporation in 2022, adding Crete Carrier, Shaffer Trucking, and Hunt Transportation to its portfolio. The integration has been gradual, with some legacy Crete drivers reporting changes to dispatch practices and route assignments. Crete's operations are being absorbed into Heartland's network, though some branding and operational differences persist.
What trucks does Heartland Express use?
Heartland Express operates an all-Freightliner Cascadia fleet. The company standardizes on Freightliner for maintenance efficiency. Trucks are typically under 3 years old and equipped with APUs, automatic transmissions, and ELD systems. Some acquired fleet trucks may temporarily differ during integration periods.
Is Heartland Express a good company to drive for?
Heartland Express is a reasonable choice for drivers who want more home time than typical OTR carriers. The shorter haul focus means you won't be gone for weeks at a time. Pay is competitive for the short-haul segment. The main concerns are the ongoing integration of acquired carriers and reports of increased monitoring through telematics. It works best for experienced drivers who value home time over top-dollar pay.

More About Heartland Express

Heartland Express Company Profile

Jobs, fleet size, and key info

Heartland Express Pay Breakdown

Full salary, CPM, and benefits details

Heartland Express Jobs in Iowa

Openings and hiring info by state

Heartland Express Jobs in Texas

Openings and hiring info by state

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