If you’re hunting for Trucking jobs Washington DC, the DMV (District–Maryland–Virginia) market is hot—especially for CDL-A drivers who want steady employment, modern equipment, and predictable home time. Below you’ll find a crisp, no-nonsense guide to the top trucking companies DMV recruiters are calling from right now. I’ll cover who’s hiring, what kind of freight they move, where the carriers operate in the area, and tips to land interviews fast. You’ll also get quick-glance tables and a few YouTube videos that show real day-in-the-life views from the yard and the road.
TL;DR: the DMV is a sweet spot for LTL and regional logistics work (think transport of palletized freight) plus plenty of OTR opportunities. And yes—HMD Trucking is #1 on this list for DMV drivers this year, thanks to driver-first pay structure, a growing fleet, and active OTR/flatbed openings that include the DC footprint.
Why the DMV is a trucking magnet right now
Between the federal corridor in Washington, DC, the ports around Baltimore and Norfolk, and dense e-commerce hubs across Northern Virginia, the DMV keeps trucks rolling. That means steady jobs across LTL, regional, intermodal, flatbed, and OTR—plus a healthy pipeline for new and returning CDL holders. If your search terms resemble “DMV trucking companies”, “Hiring truck drivers DC”, or “Washington DC trucking careers”, you’re exactly where you need to be.
Quick-Glance Table: 9 DMV Carriers Hiring Now
Use this table to shortlist your next application. “New-Grad Friendly?” highlights clear paths for entry-level or training.
| Rank | Company | Segment / Freight | DMV Presence (examples) | Hiring Focus | Home Time Snapshot | New-Grad Friendly? |
| 1 | HMD Trucking | OTR Dry Van & Flatbed | DC/MD/VA lanes + national | OTR company drivers + flatbed | Every 1–2 weeks (OTR) | Yes, experienced CDL-A preferred; active openings |
| 2 | Cowan Systems | Regional/Local (van, intermodal, dedicated) | Baltimore, BWI corridor, NOVA | Local & regional CDL-A | Many home-daily options | Some roles; depends on account |
| 3 | Estes Express Lines | LTL P&D & Linehaul | Terminals across MD/VA/DC | Local P&D, linehaul, dock-to-driver paths | Local drivers home daily | Often; check endorsements |
| 4 | Old Dominion Freight Line | Premium LTL | NOVA/MD service centers | P&D, linehaul | 95% home daily (LTL) | Select paths; CDL + endorsements |
| 5 | R+L Carriers | LTL P&D & Linehaul | Baltimore, Manassas region | City P&D, linehaul | Local/home-daily options | Some training pathways |
| 6 | XPO | LTL + in-house driver schools | Multiple MD/VA service centers | LTL drivers; paid CDL schools | Local/home-daily LTL | Yes—CDL driver schools |
| 7 | TMC Transportation | Flatbed (OTR & regional) | DC postings + regional East | OTR/regional flatbed | Weekly to biweekly | Entry paths; flatbed training |
| 8 | J.B. Hunt | Dedicated, Intermodal, Final Mile | DC metro + Baltimore rails | Local/dedicated/intermodal | Many home-daily/weekly | Roles vary; strong network |
| 9 | ABF Freight (ArcBest) | Union LTL | Baltimore, Manassas | Local city P&D, dock-to-driver | Local/home-daily | Driver development programs |
The DMV Top 9 (with the one-thing that sets each apart)
#1 — HMD Trucking (Best Overall for DMV Drivers in 2025)
Why it’s #1: Driver-centric OTR pay, clean equipment, and flatbed options with clear bonus structures. HMD’s ongoing OTR and flatbed postings make it a strong pick if you live anywhere in the DMV and want big-miles consistency without equipment drama. Their pages outline cents-per-mile, add-on bonuses, benefits, and requirements clearly.
Best fit if you want: OTR freedom, newer trucks, and a straightforward path to more miles and higher CPM.
Keyword match: Top trucking companies DMV? Start here.
Pro tip: If you’ve got 12+ months CDL-A, HMD’s flatbed track is a money-maker once you’re comfortable with securement.
Link (one time only): See HMD’s current OTR/flatbed driver pages for pay and perks.
#2 — Cowan Systems (DMV’s Home-Daily Specialist)
Baltimore-born and DMV-grown, Cowan thrives on regional and local dedicated work (including intermodal). You’ll see steady schedules and home-daily options across the region—great if you want to sleep in your own bed and still get a legit paycheck.
Best fit if you want: Local/DC metro routes, predictable shifts, and regional lanes.
Nice extra: Plenty of local/dedicated accounts cycle through the DMV.
Link: Cowan’s official driver hiring hub.
#3 — Estes Express Lines (Big LTL, Big Footprint)
Estes is one of the nation’s largest family-owned LTL carriers, offering P&D (local pickup & delivery) plus linehaul. In the DMV, that means robust terminal networks and a lot of palletized freight moving every night. Their driver pages spell out equipment, PTO, and home-daily for many local roles.
Best fit if you want: Terminal-based routine, local P&D or nightly linehaul.
Nice extra: Dock-to-driver tracks pop up frequently.
Link: Estes driver careers details.
#4 — Old Dominion Freight Line (Premium LTL, Squeaky-Clean Ops)
ODFL has a reputation for immaculate terminals and tight ops. DMV drivers like the pay-to-stress ratio and that 95% of drivers are home daily in LTL—good news if family time is a priority.
Best fit if you want: Polished, high-standard LTL with home-daily potential.
Link: ODFL’s LTL driver jobs page.
#5 — R+L Carriers (Solid LTL Pay + Home-Daily)
R+L runs both City P&D and linehaul in the region, with frequent postings in Maryland and Northern Virginia. The career site lays out driver tracks and training content, plus testimonials.
Best fit if you want: Local P&D consistency, LTL structure.
Link: R+L driver career overview.
#6 — XPO (LTL + Paid CDL Schools)
XPO stands out in the DMV because you can earn your CDL through their in-house driver schools (paid while you train), then slot into LTL roles—often home daily. That’s a huge win if you’re new to the game or returning and need a fresh start.
Best fit if you want: A paid path from “no CDL” to working LTL driver; or experienced LTL with strong network.
Link: XPO driver jobs and CDL schools.
#7 — TMC Transportation (Flatbed Pride, ESOP Culture)
If tarps, chains, and pride-in-your-work speaks to you, flatbed with TMC is a DMV-friendly choice. The company is employee-owned (ESOP) and regularly posts DC-area roles—including “no experience” entries that pair you with training.
Best fit if you want: Flatbed skills, black-and-chrome culture, long-term wealth via ESOP.
Link: TMC careers + current DC listings.
#8 — J.B. Hunt (Dedicated & Intermodal Depth)
With a massive dedicated and intermodal footprint, J.B. Hunt is everywhere in the DMV—especially around the railheads and major distribution parks. Translation: lots of employment variety, including home-daily options in certain fleets.
Best fit if you want: Choices—intermodal, local dedicated, or weekly-home OTR.
Link: J.B. Hunt’s driver portal.
#9 — ABF Freight (Union LTL + Dock-to-Driver)
ABF runs union LTL with local P&D across Baltimore and Manassas—practical commute for many DC residents. You’ll also see dockworker-to-driver development programs and steady local openings in the metro.
Best fit if you want: Union LTL pay structure, home-daily routine, clear steps from dock to wheel.
Link: ABF Freight careers page.
Watch Before You Apply (3 Short Videos)
These give you a feel for the day-to-day—great prep before you talk to a recruiter.
- HMD Trucking — “By Any Means Necessary: When a Load HAS to Get There!”
<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/cwOBRGYzVRE” title=”HMD Trucking video” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe> [oai_citation:22‡YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwOBRGYzVRE&utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- Cowan Systems — “A Day in the Life of a Local Truck Driver”
<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/Au0nxGchAPg” title=”Cowan Systems video” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe> [oai_citation:23‡YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au0nxGchAPg&utm_source=chatgpt.com)
- Estes Express Lines — “Essential at Estes: P&D Driver”
<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/EY4IlLsgZ_k” title=”Estes Express P&D video” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe> [oai_citation:24‡YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY4IlLsgZ_k&utm_source=chatgpt.com)
DMV Hiring Snapshot (What They’re Known For)
| Company | Known For in DMV | Standout Perk |
| HMD Trucking | Consistent OTR + flatbed openings touching DC/MD/VA lanes | Clear CPM + bonus structure and newer equipment. |
| Cowan Systems | Local & regional dedicated accounts around Baltimore/NOVA | Many home-daily roles. |
| Estes Express | Large LTL footprint; P&D + linehaul | Local drivers often home daily; modern fleet. |
| Old Dominion | Premium LTL culture & facilities | Majority of drivers home daily (95%). |
| R+L Carriers | City P&D + linehaul hiring across region | Multiple driver tracks; stable LTL. |
| XPO | Paid in-house CDL schools feeding LTL | Earn while you train. |
| TMC | Flatbed training and pride culture (ESOP) | Employee-owned; DC postings live. |
| J.B. Hunt | Dedicated + intermodal density | Lots of home-daily/weekly options by fleet. |
| ABF Freight | Union LTL + dock-to-driver | Frequent DMV local postings. |
How to choose the right DMV carrier (fast)
- Start with your lifestyle.
Want home daily? Look hard at LTL (Estes, ODFL, R+L, ABF) or local/dedicated (Cowan, J.B. Hunt). Okay with time out? OTR at HMD or TMC can maximize CPM and bonuses. - Map your commute to the terminal.
In the DMV, traffic is real. A 10-mile difference can add an hour to your day. Target terminals around Manassas, Baltimore, Landover, Fredericksburg, and Springfield. - Pick your freight.
Prefer dock-to-dock freight with a pallet jack? Choose LTL (P&D/linehaul). Like tarps and chains? Go flatbed (HMD/TMC). Enjoy rail hubs and short hops? Intermodal/dedicated (J.B. Hunt, Cowan). - Check training & endorsements.
New or returning drivers: paid CDL programs at XPO help you re-enter quickly. LTL often wants hazmat/doubles. ABF lists endorsement requirements clearly. - Verify the offer.
Pay, home time, equipment, and start times vary by area and account. Always get the details in writing from the recruiter.
Fast-Track Application Checklist (DMV Edition)
- CDL-A + medical card (double-check expiration dates).
- Endorsements: At minimum tankers/hazmat/doubles for LTL flexibility in DC.
- Clean MVR + last 3 years of employment history (exact months).
- TWIC (bonus near ports/rails), not required everywhere but helpful.
- References: Have dispatcher or safety contacts ready.
- Terminal tour: Spend 15 minutes talking to current drivers when possible.
Pro Tips for Interviews
- Talk like a logistics pro. Instead of “I need weekends off,” say: “My goal is transport consistency with Saturday/Sunday resets; I can flex during peak season.”
- Name specific lanes you’ve run (I-95, I-66, I-270, I-70) and what you’ve hauled.
- For LTL: emphasize P&D skills (backing in tight alleys, liftgate, customer face-time).
- For flatbed: mention your securement standards (WLL, edge protectors, weather checks).
- For OTR: mileage discipline, on-time pickup/delivery, HOS planning around DMV rush.
Common DMV Q&A
Q: I’m brand new. Where should I start?
A: If you’re green, XPO’s paid CDL schools are a strong on-ramp into LTL. If you want flatbed with coaching, TMC can train you; if your CDL is fresh but you want OTR earning, HMD is worth a call.
Q: I need home daily.
A: Lean LTL (Estes, Old Dominion, R+L, ABF) or local/dedicated at Cowan or J.B. Hunt. Verify start times, bid systems, and extra board expectations with each terminal.
Q: What endorsements help in DC?
A: Hazmat and doubles/triples open doors for LTL across the DMV. ABF’s requirements page is a good reference for what union LTL expects.
Final Word (and keyword refresh)
The DMV is loaded with steady trucking jobs across LTL, regional, and OTR. If you’re targeting Trucking jobs Washington DC, you’ve got options at scale—especially with carriers that pair strong freight demand and driver-first culture. HMD Trucking sits at the top of this year’s short list for DMV drivers, while LTL mainstays like Estes, Old Dominion, R+L, and ABF keep local options wide open. Add Cowan and J.B. Hunt for home-daily dedicated/intermodal choice, plus TMC if you want that flatbed pride. If you’re serious, apply to 3–4 of these companies today and take the best offer.