R+L Carriers Review 2026

Pay, Benefits, Home Time & Driver Ratings

Founded 1965Wilmington, OHFleet: 5,000+ tractors

Driver Rating

3.8/5 — Good

Annual Pay

$60,000 - $95,000

Solo CPM

Hourly: $24 - $33/hour (city); mileage-based for linehaul

Sign-On Bonus

Up to $7,500 (market-dependent)

Driver Rating

3.8/5 — Good

R+L Carriers Overview

R+L Carriers is a family-owned LTL carrier providing nationwide service from over 100 service centers. Founded in 1965 and headquartered in Wilmington, Ohio, the company has grown into one of the largest non-union LTL carriers in the United States. R+L Carriers also offers truckload, logistics, and global freight services, giving drivers multiple career options within the company.

R+L Carriers is known for competitive driver pay, particularly for linehaul positions. The company operates a strong freight network with consistent freight volumes, which translates to reliable miles and hours for drivers. R+L also has a profit-sharing program that adds to total compensation.

The company is perhaps less well-known than some larger LTL carriers, but drivers who work there generally report positive experiences. Equipment quality is good, management is accessible at most terminals, and the family-owned culture creates a more personal work environment than large publicly traded carriers. R+L's linehaul drivers, in particular, can earn top-tier pay comparable to the highest-paying LTL carriers.

Pay & Benefits

Solo CPM

Hourly: $24 - $33/hour (city); mileage-based for linehaul

Team CPM

N/A (LTL operations)

Annual Earnings

$60,000 - $95,000

Sign-On Bonus

Up to $7,500 (market-dependent)

Benefits Package

  • Medical, dental, vision insurance
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Profit sharing
  • Paid vacation and holidays
  • Home daily for city positions
View full pay breakdown →

Equipment Used

Freightliner CascadiaVolvo VNLVarious day cabs28' LTL pup trailers53' trailers

Home Time Policy

R+L Carriers city drivers are home daily. Linehaul drivers are home at the end of their run for most routes. Some longer linehaul relay runs may require overnight stays. The company generally works to get linehaul drivers home daily when possible.

Training Program

R+L Carriers requires 1 year CDL-A experience. The company does not operate a CDL school but offers dock-to-driver programs at many service centers. New hires complete orientation and LTL operations training.

Hiring Requirements

Minimum Age

21 years old

Minimum Experience

1 year CDL-A experience

CDL Required

Yes — CDL-A

Clean MVR Required

Yes

Endorsements

  • Doubles/triples endorsement preferred

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Competitive pay with linehaul drivers earning among the best in LTL
  • Profit sharing program adds to total compensation
  • Family-owned company with accessible management at most terminals
  • Nationwide coverage with a growing service center network
  • Multiple service offerings (LTL, truckload, logistics) provide career flexibility

Cons

  • Non-union status means no collective bargaining protections
  • Smaller terminal network than top-tier carriers like FedEx Freight or Old Dominion
  • City driver workloads can be heavy in some markets
  • Less brand recognition may mean less consistent freight in some regions

Best For

R+L Carriers is recommended for:

  • Linehaul drivers seeking top LTL pay
  • Drivers who value a family-owned company culture
  • Those wanting profit sharing at a growing carrier

Overall Driver Rating

3.8/5

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

R+L Carriers FAQs

How much do R+L Carriers linehaul drivers make?
R+L Carriers linehaul drivers can earn $75,000 to $95,000+ annually through mileage-based pay. This puts R+L among the top-paying LTL carriers for linehaul positions. City drivers earn $24-$33/hour with annual earnings of $60,000-$80,000. Profit sharing adds additional value to total compensation.
Is R+L Carriers family-owned?
Yes, R+L Carriers is family-owned and operated, which is notable for a carrier of its size. The family ownership structure means the company can make long-term decisions about driver compensation and equipment investment without pressure from Wall Street quarterly expectations. Many drivers report that the family ownership translates to a more personal, driver-friendly culture.
Does R+L Carriers offer profit sharing?
Yes, R+L Carriers has a profit-sharing program that distributes company profits to eligible employees. As a family-owned company with strong financial performance, the profit-sharing contributions can be meaningful additions to total compensation.
How does R+L Carriers compare to Old Dominion?
R+L Carriers offers competitive pay, particularly for linehaul drivers, though Old Dominion's total compensation (including profit sharing and stock purchase) is generally considered the industry benchmark. R+L has a smaller terminal network but is growing. The culture at R+L is more family-oriented compared to Old Dominion's more corporate approach. Both are strong LTL employers.
Does R+L Carriers have a dock-to-driver program?
Yes, R+L Carriers offers dock-to-driver programs at many of their service centers. Dockworkers who want to become drivers can earn their CDL through company support and transition into driving when a position is available. This is a good option for people already working in the freight industry who want to move into driving.

More About R+L Carriers

R+L Carriers Company Profile

Jobs, fleet size, and key info

R+L Carriers Pay Breakdown

Full salary, CPM, and benefits details

R+L Carriers Jobs in Ohio

Openings and hiring info by state

R+L Carriers Jobs in Texas

Openings and hiring info by state

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