Check Company Stability Up Front

Start by learning if the carrier can support your goals long term.

• What is your FMCSA safety rating and most recent CSA scores?
• How many owner operators are currently under contract, and what is your yearly turnover rate for them?
• Which main lanes or areas do you cover?

Stable companies keep freight moving without constant disruptions.

Understand Contract Length and Exits

Know exactly what you’re signing to stay flexible.

• How long does the starting contract last, and what notice is needed to end it from either side?
• Are there fees for leaving early, and when can I exit without them?
• Does the contract renew automatically, and how is that handled?

Standard terms allow 30 to 60 days’ notice for changes.

Pin Down Pay Rates and Timing

Clear pay details mean a reliable income.

• What is the per-mile rate for solo or team drivers, and how do you measure miles, hub to hub or continuous?
• How often do you send settlements, weekly or every two weeks, and can I see a sample breakdown?
• How do you calculate fuel surcharges based on diesel prices?

Rates in good lanes often range from $2.00 to $3.00 per loaded mile.

Limit Deadhead Miles

Empty runs cut into profits, so get their policy straight.

• What is your typical deadhead percentage? Do you pay for it, and is there a limit?
• Do you guarantee backhauls to keep deadhead low?
• How do loads from brokers affect deadhead?

Strong fleets average under 10 percent deadhead.

Handle Fuel Costs Effectively

Fuel is a top expense.

• Do you offer fuel advances? What is the maximum amount, and are there any fees?
• What fuel discounts or station partners do you have?
• How quickly can I get an advance, and when is it repaid?

Advances up to $750 a week without extra costs help keep things smooth.

Capture Extra Pay for Accessorials

Make time spent waiting or working pay off.

• What do you pay for detention after free time, layovers, tarping, or extra stops?
• Are there bonuses for safety or fuel savings, or guarantees for minimum miles?
• How often do rates go up, and what ties them to costs?

These can boost earnings significantly when defined well.

Meet Equipment and Maintenance Rules

Ensure your truck fits without hidden expenses.

• What are the required specs for trucks and trailers, including model year or tech?
• Can I use my preferred shops for maintenance, or do you require yours, and what are the rates?
• Do you offer tire discounts or help for breakdowns?

Using your own shops often saves on routine service.

Secure Proper Insurance Coverage

Protection avoids big losses from claims.

• What insurance do you cover, like cargo or liability, and what do I need to carry?
• Walk me through how claims get handled and any recovery steps.
• Do I need my own operating authority, or do you provide it?

Bobtail coverage typically costs $7,000 to $10,000 a year.

Ensure Steady Freight Assignment

Reliable loads build your bottom line.

• How do you assign freight, through an app, dispatcher, or load boards?
• What guarantees exist for loaded miles each week or month?
• How much do you use brokers, and how does that change pay?

Top setups achieve high utilization rates.

Plan for Home Time and Support

Balance work with rest and quick help.

• What is your policy for time at home, like days off every couple of weeks?
• Tell me about orientation, including length, pay, and location.
• What support does the dispatcher team provide around the clock?

This fits standard driving regulations.

Watch for Warning Signs

If answers feel vague on pay or miles, or they ask for upfront money without references from current owner operators, consider moving on. Ask for contacts from active partners to check real experiences.

Put This Checklist to Work Right Now

Take this 28-question checklist to your next interview. Jot down answers, rate each response, and compare companies side by side to pick the partnership that grows your business. You’ve got the tools to land opportunities that deliver real value. Now go secure terms that keep you profitable and independent.

The post Questions Every Owner Operator Should Ask Trucking Companies appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Since 2007, Wreaths Across America has worked year-round under its mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach, a message that resonates deeply throughout the trucking community. What started back in 1992 as a small act of gratitude at Arlington National Cemetery has grown into a national movement that now reaches over 5,400 locations across the U.S. and abroad.

National Wreaths Across America Day will take place on Saturday, December 13, 2025. More than 4 million volunteers are expected to take part in ceremonies that honor fallen veterans through wreath-laying events in all 50 states, at sea, and overseas. Truck drivers are the ones who make these ceremonies possible, hauling over 700 truckloads of live balsam wreaths every season.

“This year, National Wreaths Across America Day will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. More than 4 million volunteers and supporters will gather to Remember, Honor and Teach through wreath-laying ceremonies in all 50 states, at sea, and abroad.”

For many fleets, joining the Honor Fleet isn’t just a way to give back; it’s a way to connect their work with something meaningful. Trucking companies that take part gain nationwide recognition through media coverage, community partnerships, and volunteer involvement.

Beyond the good it does, participation also helps boost driver pride and retention. Carriers who’ve partnered in the past often note how the experience brings teams closer together. Taking part in the wreath deliveries or local ceremonies gives drivers a chance to represent their company while honoring those who served.

As Wreaths Across America puts it, the effort only works because truck drivers show up with that dependable “can-do” spirit the industry is known for. Fleets that join the Honor Fleet not only support a national mission but also stand shoulder to shoulder with others who share the same respect for service and sacrifice.

For 2025, Wreaths Across America is inviting more carriers to get involved and help cover remaining routes across the country. Those interested can find open lanes and details about how to sign up by visiting learn.wreathsacrossamerica.org/2025-open-lanes-available.

Image Source: Wreaths Across America

Other Source: The Trucker

The post Move the Mission: Wreaths Across America Calls on Trucking Fleets to Join the 2025 Honor Fleet appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

For the first time, the awards coincided with National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, a deliberate choice to highlight not only the honored carriers but the dedication of drivers who keep freight moving every day.

In 2024 alone, the winning carriers collectively handled nearly 2 million loads for C.H. Robinson, demonstrating the scale of their contribution to the supply chain. The honorees range from small, single-truck operations to fleets operating thousands of vehicles, showing excellence at every level of the industry.

“These carriers exemplify the best in the industry,” said Michael Castagnetto, president of North American Surface Transportation at C.H. Robinson. “But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I also want to recognize the 360 other COYA nominees and the entirety of our 450,000+ carrier network. They help us and our customers succeed every day. We are proud to honor them for another year of exceptional achievements.”

Celebrations in Minnesota

Representatives from the winning carriers,  including drivers, managers, and company leadership, joined in on festivities hosted by C.H. Robinson. Events included a Minnesota Twins game, where winners received customized “Carrier of the Year” jerseys, along with a special visit to the company’s Eden Prairie, Minnesota, headquarters.

Full List of 2025 C.H. Robinson Carrier of the Year Winners

• 1 Truck: Jato Express, Channahon, Illinois
• 2–10 Trucks: IB & DB Trucking, Avondale, Arizona
• 11–19 Trucks: GARESP Transportation Solution, Phoenix
• 11–19 Trucks: ABR Transport, St. Paul, Minnesota
• 20–74 Trucks: MEB Express, Miami, Florida
• 75–199 Trucks: Timmons Transit, Jonesboro, Arkansas
• 75–199 Trucks: Bettaway Beverage Distributors, South Plainfield, New Jersey
• 200–999 Trucks: JIT EX, Memphis, Tennessee
• 200–999 Trucks: Trucks For You, Muskogee, Oklahoma
• 1000+ Trucks: Super Ego, Chicago, Illinois
• Canada: Load King Transport, Vaughan, Ontario
• Marine Drayage: Whimsy Mt., Prospect, Illinois
• Flatbed: E&R Transportation, Mendota, California
• Intermodal: Genesis Intermodal Services, San Antonio, Texas
• LTL: Southeastern Freight Lines, Lexington, South Carolina
• LTL: Estes Express Lines, Richmond, Virginia
• LTL: XPO Logistics Freight, Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Mexico: Transportes de Carga Fema, Laredo, Texas
• Specialized Heavy Haul: KD Specialized, Irving, Texas
• Temperature Control: Aldrich Trucking, Dongola, Illinois

Image Source: C.H. Robinson
Source: Truckers News

The post C.H. Robinson Honors Top Carriers with 2025 Carrier of the Year Awards appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.