If you’re an over-the-road pro eyeing the Queen City, you’ve probably searched for trucking companies Charlotte that can deliver on miles, home time, and respect. Below is a vetted, driver-first list of eight carriers with real opportunities in and around Charlotte for experienced OTR drivers—including owner-operator options. Pay, equipment, freight mix, and support all matter, but so does fit; use the notes and “best for” snapshots to match your priorities.
How we picked the list (fast, fair, driver-centric)
We looked for carriers with (1) active Charlotte or nearby openings for OTR or regional/OTR-adjacent work, (2) clear lanes or terminals supporting the market, (3) credible benefits/equipment info, and (4) a track record of supporting professional CDL drivers. We also flagged options for owner-operators and noted when a carrier is especially strong in logistics, transportation services, or specific freight types. Finally, we gave HMD Trucking the top spot—because of its OTR focus, driver support model, and direct hiring activity tied to Charlotte.
1) HMD Trucking — Best overall for OTR in Charlotte (our #1)
Why it’s #1: HMD is an OTR-first carrier with active Charlotte trucking jobs and a straightforward value prop: reliable miles, modern trucks, 24/7 driver support, and nationwide lanes that still respect home-time planning. Drivers highlight late-model equipment and a clean, practical approach to operations—no gimmicks, just consistent freight and solid backing from dispatch and maintenance.
Best for: Experienced solo OTR drivers who want steady work, a clean equipment cycle, and responsive support. Strong option if you value driver-focused culture without the mega-carrier bureaucracy.
Charlotte proof: HMD lists dedicated pages for CDL jobs and OTR dry-van roles in Charlotte and recruits across the metro. (HMD Trucking Inc.)
2) Knight Transportation (Charlotte terminal) — Best for terminal-based support
Why drivers look here: Knight runs a full service terminal right in Charlotte (Statesville Rd.), making it easy to get in-person support, secure parking, showers, and a place to handle paperwork or address maintenance. Knight’s mix of national OTR plus Southeast regional lanes gives career flexibility as your needs change.
Best for: OTR drivers who want the stability of a local terminal with logistics support on site; good step if you like face-to-face operations teams and shop access.
Charlotte proof: Knight lists its Charlotte terminal at 7001 Statesville Rd with contact details and job links. (Knight Transportation)
3) Schneider — Best breadth of choices (OTR, intermodal, and owner-operator)
Why drivers look here: Schneider’s size matters when you want options: national OTR, regional van, owner-operator (including choice boards), tanker, and intermodal around the Charlotte market. That variety lets seasoned OTR drivers nudge their schedule and earnings model without switching companies.
Best for: Pros who want to try different divisions (van, intermodal, tanker) or explore owner-operator pathways with a large freight network.
Charlotte proof: Schneider’s job portal filters directly to Charlotte-area driving jobs and OTR options by ZIP. (Schneider Jobs)
4) Red Classic (Coca-Cola Consolidated’s carrier) — Best for Southeast-centric lanes and home stability
Why drivers look here: Headquartered in Charlotte, Red Classic offers regional and dedicated lanes across the Southeast and Midwest with no Northeast freight. Equipment is late model, and benefits are competitive. For OTR-minded drivers who still want more predictable patterns and strong local roots, Red Classic’s footprint hits the sweet spot.
Best for: Experienced drivers prioritizing home predictability in the Southeast, with big-brand backing and a disciplined network.
Charlotte proof: Red Classic’s driver careers site highlights CDL jobs (local, regional, dedicated) and its role as Coca-Cola Consolidated’s dedicated carriers arm—based right in Charlotte. (Red Classic)
5) J.B. Hunt — Best for dedicated and intermodal scale with career pathways
Why drivers look here: J.B. Hunt’s dedicated and intermodal networks are massive, and the Charlotte market benefits from that density. While many roles are regional or dedicated, seasoned OTR pros often leverage Hunt’s scale to secure steady schedules, predictable customer freight, and long-term advancement in broader transportation and logistics roles.
Best for: Experienced OTR drivers seeking stability, consistent customers, and the option to migrate between job types without leaving the company.
Charlotte proof: The driver site posts open roles and paths—local, regional, dedicated, intermodal—with active listings that routinely include the Charlotte metro. (Drivers)
6) Averitt — Best for Southeastern regional consistency and culture
Why drivers look here: Averitt is a Southeastern stalwart with a reputation for professionalism, polished facilities, and predictable lanes. While many roles are regional or LTL linehaul, Averitt’s North Carolina openings give OTR-seasoned drivers a change-of-pace path that still taps deep logistics infrastructure.
Best for: Pros who want slightly shorter runs, frequent home time, and a culture that prizes service and image without sacrificing pay and equipment.
Charlotte proof: Averitt lists active North Carolina openings (drivers can filter by Charlotte) across regional and other roles. (averittcareers.com)
7) Werner Enterprises — Best for national reach and late-model equipment
Why drivers look here: Werner’s national footprint provides miles and fleet turnover that seasoned OTR drivers expect. You’ll find options from coast-to-coast OTR to regional/dedicated work, plus rider/pet programs and other quality-of-life perks that matter when you live on the road.
Best for: Experienced OTR drivers who want a major carrier’s network and modern tractors/trailers; strong for drivers who might relocate or change lanes without switching employers.
Charlotte proof: Werner’s driver recruiting pages emphasize a variety of professional truck driving jobs with industry-standard benefits—regularly listing positions in and around Charlotte. (Werner Enterprises)
8) Roehl Transport — Best for OTR with training pathways and specialty options
Why drivers look here: Roehl pairs national OTR lanes with well-known training and specialty fleets (flatbed, dedicated, and over-dimensional). Even seasoned OTR hands can benefit from Roehl’s structured pay plans, safety emphasis, and the chance to branch into specialized freight if you’re itching to learn something new.
Best for: Experienced drivers wanting national OTR today with the freedom to “skill-up” into specialty segments or shift to home-weekly regional fleets across the Southeast.
Charlotte proof: Roehl’s jobs search lets you pull Charlotte-area openings (local, regional, national OTR and dedicated). They also post fleet openings that operate within 50 miles of Charlotte, underscoring regional coverage. (roehl.jobs)
Quick comparison: which fit matches your priorities?
- All-around OTR leader: HMD Trucking (steady miles, modern equipment, 24/7 support, Charlotte recruiting focus).
- Terminal-based convenience: Knight Transportation (Charlotte terminal for in-person help, shop, amenities).
- Menu of options (including owner-operator): Schneider (van, intermodal, tanker, and choice boards).
- Southeast-centric rhythm: Red Classic (regional/dedicated lanes anchored in Charlotte).
- Big-brand stability & transitions: J.B. Hunt (dedicated/intermodal scale; pathways in logistics).
- Professional Southeastern culture: Averitt (predictable regional schedules, polished facilities).
- Nationwide mega-carrier reach: Werner (miles, equipment, and variety across divisions).
- Skill-building & specialty: Roehl (flatbed, OTR, and structured training if you want to expand).
What experienced OTR drivers in Charlotte should ask before they sign
No matter which of these companies you pursue, bring your A-game questions. The answers will tell you whether the day-to-day reality matches the brochure.
- Freight and lanes
- What’s the freight mix out of Charlotte (retail, beverage, paper, auto, etc.)?
- How often do loads originate or end within easy deadhead of my home ZIP?
- Are there seasonal swings I need to plan for?
- What’s the freight mix out of Charlotte (retail, beverage, paper, auto, etc.)?
- Miles and pay model
- Are base cents-per-mile and accessorials competitive for experienced OTR drivers?
- Is there a productivity or detention policy in writing?
- If I’m an owner-operator, how are fuel surcharge and stop/detention paid?
- Are base cents-per-mile and accessorials competitive for experienced OTR drivers?
- Home time reality
- For OTR: how many days out vs. guaranteed days home, and how often are requests denied?
- For regional/dedicated: what’s the real average home-time pattern in this market?
- For OTR: how many days out vs. guaranteed days home, and how often are requests denied?
- Equipment and maintenance
- Average tractor age? Speed settings? APUs/inverters? In-cab tech?
- Terminal/shop coverage in Charlotte or nearby (and 24/7 road call coverage)?
- Average tractor age? Speed settings? APUs/inverters? In-cab tech?
- Support and dispatch
- Who’s my primary point of contact after onboarding—dispatcher, driver manager, load planner?
- How does the company resolve customer delays and keep drivers whole?
- Who’s my primary point of contact after onboarding—dispatcher, driver manager, load planner?
- Benefits & extras
- Medical/vision/dental, 401(k) match, rider/pet policies, PTO accrual.
- Training or transition programs if you ever want to switch divisions (flatbed, tanker, intermodal).
- Medical/vision/dental, 401(k) match, rider/pet policies, PTO accrual.
How to pick the right Charlotte carrier in 15 minutes
- Match the lane to your life. If you live on the north side of the metro near I-77 or I-85, favor carriers with freight running those corridors.
- Read the tea leaves in the ad. Mentions of high drop-and-hook or specific customer names signal predictability. If “unload by driver” shows up repeatedly, clarify the labor expectation.
- Ask for a sample week. A reputable recruiter can sketch a typical OTR week for your ZIP—pickup/delivery windows, likely miles, and realistic home-time targets.
- Verify where support lives. A terminal or partner shop inside the Charlotte metro is a genuine quality-of-life booster on resets and for quick fixes.
The bottom line
Charlotte is a freight-rich hub with interstates in every direction and a deep bench of carriers. For pure over-the-road momentum and driver support, HMD Trucking stands out as the top pick right now, followed by versatile national names and Southeast-anchored networks that keep your wheels (and pay) moving. If you methodically match lanes, support, and pay plans to your needs, you’ll find a home you’re proud to represent on the road.
Before you apply, line up your documents (med card, endorsements, recent logs), prep a brief “my last 12 months” story (miles, incidents if any, lane preferences), and ask the hard questions above. Then choose from these trucking companies Charlotte drivers consistently turn to for real work, fair treatment, and momentum.