Old Dominion Freight Line Review 2026

Pay, Benefits, Home Time & Driver Ratings

Founded 1934Thomasville, NCFleet: 10,000+ tractors

Driver Rating

4.5/5 — Excellent

Annual Pay

$65,000 - $100,000+

Solo CPM

Hourly: $26 - $35/hour (city); mileage-based for linehaul

Sign-On Bonus

Up to $7,500 (market-dependent)

Driver Rating

4.5/5 — Excellent

Old Dominion Freight Line Overview

Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) is widely regarded as the premier LTL carrier in the United States. Founded in 1934 in Thomasville, North Carolina, Old Dominion has grown into a $6+ billion company operating over 250 service centers and 10,000+ tractors. The company is publicly traded on NASDAQ and has been one of the most consistent performers in the transportation sector for decades.

What sets Old Dominion apart is their relentless focus on service quality. The company consistently leads the industry in on-time delivery, claims-free shipping, and customer satisfaction. This operational excellence translates into a strong freight network with premium pricing, which in turn allows Old Dominion to pay their drivers at the top of the LTL market.

Old Dominion drivers are among the highest-paid in the LTL segment, with experienced linehaul and city drivers regularly earning $80,000-$100,000+. The company also offers a profit-sharing program and employee stock purchase plan that can significantly boost total compensation. Driver satisfaction is consistently high, and Old Dominion's turnover rate is among the lowest in the industry.

Pay & Benefits

Solo CPM

Hourly: $26 - $35/hour (city); mileage-based for linehaul

Team CPM

N/A (LTL operations)

Annual Earnings

$65,000 - $100,000+

Sign-On Bonus

Up to $7,500 (market-dependent)

Benefits Package

  • Industry-leading LTL compensation
  • Profit sharing program
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Employee stock purchase plan
  • Full health, dental, vision
View full pay breakdown →

Equipment Used

Freightliner CascadiaVarious day cabs28' LTL pup trailers53' trailers

Home Time Policy

Old Dominion city drivers are home daily, working standard day shifts picking up and delivering freight in their assigned metro area. Linehaul drivers work overnight or early morning shifts running trailers between service centers and are home most days. Some longer linehaul runs may require an overnight stay, but Old Dominion works to minimize this. The company is known for respecting drivers' time off.

Training Program

Old Dominion does not operate a CDL training school and requires a minimum of 1 year CDL-A experience. The company does offer a dock-to-driver program at many service centers, allowing dockworkers to earn their CDL and transition to driving. This internal promotion path is valued because it gives drivers familiarity with LTL operations before getting behind the wheel.

Hiring Requirements

Minimum Age

21 years old

Minimum Experience

1 year CDL-A experience minimum

CDL Required

Yes — CDL-A

Clean MVR Required

Yes

Endorsements

  • Doubles/triples endorsement preferred

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Industry-leading LTL pay with experienced drivers earning $80K-$100K+ annually
  • Profit sharing program that can add thousands to annual compensation
  • Employee stock purchase plan at a discount — ODFL stock has outperformed the market for years
  • Low driver turnover means better freight, routes, and terminal culture
  • Home daily for city drivers; home most nights for linehaul

Cons

  • Highly competitive hiring process — positions fill quickly and standards are high
  • City drivers handle significant touch freight (physically loading and unloading)
  • Linehaul positions may require overnight runs depending on terminal location
  • Requires minimum 1 year CDL-A experience; no training programs for new drivers

Best For

Old Dominion Freight Line is recommended for:

  • Experienced LTL drivers seeking top-tier pay
  • Drivers wanting profit sharing and stock purchase benefits
  • Those seeking a career-length employer with low turnover

Overall Driver Rating

4.5/5

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

Old Dominion Freight Line FAQs

How much do Old Dominion drivers make?
Old Dominion pays among the highest in the LTL segment. City drivers earn $26-$35/hour with annual earnings of $65,000-$85,000+. Linehaul drivers can earn $80,000-$100,000+ through mileage-based pay. On top of base pay, Old Dominion's profit-sharing program and employee stock purchase plan can add several thousand dollars to annual compensation.
Is it hard to get hired at Old Dominion?
Yes, Old Dominion is one of the more competitive LTL employers to get hired at. They require a minimum of 1 year CDL-A experience, a clean MVR and safety record, and strong references. Positions fill quickly because driver turnover is low. The best approach is to apply online and follow up with the local service center. Having LTL experience (even at a smaller carrier) gives you an advantage.
Does Old Dominion offer profit sharing?
Yes, Old Dominion has a profit-sharing program that distributes a portion of company profits to eligible employees. Combined with their 401(k) match and employee stock purchase plan (which has been an exceptional investment given ODFL's stock performance), total compensation at Old Dominion is among the best in the entire trucking industry.
What is Old Dominion's dock-to-driver program?
Old Dominion offers a dock-to-driver program at many service centers. Dockworkers who want to transition to driving can earn their CDL through a company-supported process. This is a valued path because it lets you learn LTL operations from the ground up, build relationships at your terminal, and move into driving when a position opens. Not all service centers offer this at all times.
Why does Old Dominion have such a good reputation among drivers?
Old Dominion's reputation stems from consistently high pay, strong benefits (profit sharing, stock purchase), low turnover (meaning better route seniority systems), well-maintained equipment, and a management culture that generally respects drivers' time and contributions. The company's financial success allows them to invest in driver compensation rather than cutting costs. Their driver retention rate is among the best in the industry.

More About Old Dominion Freight Line

Old Dominion Freight Line Company Profile

Jobs, fleet size, and key info

Old Dominion Freight Line Pay Breakdown

Full salary, CPM, and benefits details

Old Dominion Freight Line Jobs in North Carolina

Openings and hiring info by state

Old Dominion Freight Line Jobs in Virginia

Openings and hiring info by state

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