Ruan Transportation Review 2026

Pay, Benefits, Home Time & Driver Ratings

Founded 1932Des Moines, IAFleet: 5,500+ trucks

Driver Rating

3.8/5 — Good

Annual Pay

$58,000 - $88,000

Solo CPM

Hourly: $22 - $30/hour (most positions); some CPM-based accounts

Sign-On Bonus

Up to $5,000 (account-dependent)

Driver Rating

3.8/5 — Good

Ruan Transportation Overview

Ruan Transportation is one of the largest privately held trucking companies in the United States, specializing in dedicated contract carriage since 1932. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, Ruan operates over 5,500 trucks providing customized fleet solutions for major shippers across the food, beverage, retail, and industrial sectors.

Ruan's model is similar to Penske Logistics and Ryder — they provide dedicated fleets managed entirely by Ruan that serve specific customer accounts. This means Ruan drivers work predictable routes with consistent schedules, and most positions are local or regional with home time built into the route structure. The company also has tanker and bulk operations for specialized freight.

As a privately held company since 1932, Ruan has built a strong reputation for reliability, safety, and employee treatment. The company has won numerous industry awards for safety performance and has maintained a driver-focused culture. Ruan's specialization in food-grade and bulk hauling means many positions require tanker or hazmat endorsements, which come with higher pay.

Pay & Benefits

Solo CPM

Hourly: $22 - $30/hour (most positions); some CPM-based accounts

Team CPM

N/A (primarily solo operations)

Annual Earnings

$58,000 - $88,000

Sign-On Bonus

Up to $5,000 (account-dependent)

Benefits Package

  • Health, dental, vision insurance
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Paid time off and holidays
  • Safety bonuses
  • Well-maintained equipment
View full pay breakdown →

Equipment Used

Freightliner CascadiaVolvo VNLDay cabsTanker trailers (food-grade and chemical)Bulk pneumatic trailers53' dry van trailers

Home Time Policy

Home daily or weekly for most Ruan positions. Routes are designed around customer requirements with predictable schedules. Some regional accounts may require occasional multi-day trips, but the majority of Ruan drivers enjoy consistent home time. The company works to accommodate driver preferences when assigning accounts.

Training Program

Ruan requires 1 year CDL-A experience for most positions. Tanker and bulk positions require relevant endorsements and may include additional Ruan-provided training on specialized equipment. New hires go through orientation and account-specific 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

  • Tanker endorsement for tanker positions
  • Hazmat endorsement for chemical hauling

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Home daily or weekly for most positions with predictable dedicated routes
  • Privately held since 1932 — stable, long-term company without shareholder pressure
  • Tanker and bulk positions pay premium rates for specialized endorsements
  • Strong safety record with safety bonuses that reward safe driving
  • Well-maintained equipment with modern trucks and trailers

Cons

  • Dedicated model means your job depends on the specific customer account
  • Pay ceiling is lower than top OTR or owner-operator earnings
  • Limited positions outside of dedicated accounts — no OTR or traditional truckload
  • Tanker and hazmat positions require additional endorsements and training

Best For

Ruan Transportation is recommended for:

  • Drivers wanting dedicated local/regional work with predictable schedules
  • CDL drivers with tanker/hazmat endorsements seeking premium pay
  • Those valuing a stable, privately held employer

Overall Driver Rating

3.8/5

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

Ruan Transportation FAQs

What kind of freight does Ruan haul?
Ruan specializes in dedicated contract carriage for major shippers in food, beverage, retail, and industrial sectors. This includes dry van freight, food-grade tanker loads (milk, juice, liquid food products), bulk commodities (dry bulk in pneumatic trailers), and specialized industrial products. The type of freight depends on which customer account you're assigned to.
How much do Ruan drivers make?
Ruan drivers typically earn $58,000 to $88,000 annually. Most positions pay hourly ($22-$30/hour), with tanker and hazmat positions on the higher end. Safety bonuses add additional earnings. While not the highest-paying carrier in any single category, Ruan's combination of home time, schedule predictability, and solid benefits makes the total package competitive.
Do Ruan positions require tanker or hazmat endorsements?
It depends on the account. Ruan operates both standard dry van dedicated accounts and specialized tanker/bulk operations. Tanker positions require a tanker endorsement, and chemical hauling positions require both tanker and hazmat endorsements. Dry van dedicated positions typically don't require any special endorsements beyond the CDL-A.
Is Ruan privately held?
Yes, Ruan Transportation has been privately held since its founding in 1932. The Ruan family has maintained ownership for over 90 years. This private ownership allows the company to focus on long-term growth and employee well-being rather than quarterly earnings targets, which translates into a more stable and driver-friendly environment.
What happens if my dedicated account at Ruan ends?
If the customer account you're assigned to is lost or reduced, Ruan will work to transfer you to another available account in your area. The company's broad base of dedicated customers means there are usually alternative accounts available. However, if no local positions are available, you may need to consider relocation or a temporary assignment in another market.

More About Ruan Transportation

Ruan Transportation Company Profile

Jobs, fleet size, and key info

Ruan Transportation Pay Breakdown

Full salary, CPM, and benefits details

Ruan Transportation Jobs in Iowa

Openings and hiring info by state

Ruan Transportation Jobs in Texas

Openings and hiring info by state

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