By Max Dmytrov · Published March 18, 2026 · 9 min read
New Jersey is the most densely freighted state in the US by square mile. Port Newark/Port Elizabeth (Port of New York/New Jersey) is the #1 container port on the East Coast and the #3 in North America. I-95 runs through the state's major population corridor, and the New Jersey Turnpike is the most commercially traveled toll road in the country. The freight density here is extraordinary — and so is the complexity. This is not a state for new drivers without guidance, but for experienced CDL operators it's one of the best-paying markets in the country.
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| CDL driver average pay | $72,000–$100,000/year |
| State income tax | Up to 10.75% (high) |
| Port of NY/NJ | #1 East Coast container port, #3 North America |
| Key freight types | Port drayage, LTL, pharmaceutical, food distribution, intermodal |
| Key roads | NJ Turnpike (I-95), Garden State Pkwy, I-78, I-287 |
| Major employers | Amazon (large NJ DC presence), pharmaceutical companies, J.B. Hunt, UPS |
Why New Jersey Matters for Trucking
Port Newark/Port Elizabeth handles over 9 million TEUs annually — by far the largest container port on the East Coast. Every container that arrives here needs to move somewhere, and trucks handle a significant portion of that movement. Drayage from Port Newark to warehouses in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York State is one of the most active container drayage markets in the US.
New Jersey's pharmaceutical sector is enormous. Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Pfizer, Novartis, Bayer, and dozens of others have major NJ operations. Temperature-controlled pharmaceutical freight from NJ research and manufacturing facilities to distributors and hospitals nationwide generates premium rates.
The NJ distribution hub cluster along the I-287/Route 1/Route 9 corridors and Exit 7/8 Turnpike area has Amazon, Target, Walmart, and dozens of major retailers with large fulfillment centers. Regional and last-mile delivery from these facilities is extremely active.
New Jersey's Key Freight Corridors
| Corridor | Route | Primary Freight | Key Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| NJ Turnpike (I-95) | Delaware Memorial Bridge → Newark → George Washington Bridge (NYC) | Everything — most truck-traveled toll road in US | Port Newark, Newark, NYC corridor |
| I-78 | PA border → Phillipsburg → Bridgewater → Newark → Staten Island | General freight, distribution, pharmaceutical | Central NJ DC cluster, Newark |
| I-287 | I-95 (South Brunswick) → Piscataway → Parsippany → I-87 (NY) | Distribution, pharmaceutical, manufactured goods | Central NJ distribution corridor |
| Garden State Pkwy | Cape May → Atlantic City → Newark → NY border | Consumer goods, coastal distribution | Shore communities, Newark |
Best Trucking Companies with New Jersey Operations
| Carrier | Freight Type | Avg Pay | Home Time | Notable NJ Terminals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Dominion | LTL | $78K–$100K | Regional/local | Parsippany, Edison, Newark |
| UPS Freight | LTL, parcel | $80K–$102K | Local/regional | Newark, Secaucus, Edison |
| FedEx Freight | LTL | $74K–$96K | Regional/local | Newark, Parsippany |
| XPO Logistics | LTL, intermodal | $76K–$98K | Regional/local | Carteret, Parsippany |
| J.B. Hunt | Intermodal, DCS | $70K–$95K | Varies | Secaucus (port drayage) |
| Penske Logistics | Dedicated, 3PL | $72K–$92K | Dedicated | Central NJ DCs |
| NFI Industries | Dedicated, drayage (NJ HQ) | $72K–$94K | Local/regional | Cherry Hill HQ, statewide |
NFI Industries is headquartered in Cherry Hill, NJ — one of the largest privately held 3PL and dedicated carrier companies in the US. Compare driver reviews: oculusreviews.com/carriers.
Top Freight Types in New Jersey
Port drayage: Port Newark/Port Elizabeth is the largest drayage market on the East Coast. TWIC card required. Experienced drayage drivers in the Port Newark area earn $85,000–$120,000 with the right carrier and consistent container volume.
Pharmaceutical: Central NJ's pharmaceutical corridor generates premium cold-chain and temperature-controlled freight. J&J (New Brunswick), Merck (Kenilworth), Pfizer (Peapack) — all generate outbound freight on dedicated lanes.
LTL: New Jersey's density means LTL routes are highly efficient — multiple stops close together in a small geography. Experienced LTL drivers with knowledge of NJ's road network can make very good money here.
Intermodal: Port of NY/NJ is a massive intermodal hub connecting to CSX, Norfolk Southern, and regional railroads. Intermodal drayage from Port Newark is one of the busiest in North America.
New Jersey CDL Requirements
- Age: 18+ intrastate, 21+ interstate
- CDL-A: Combination vehicles over 26,001 lbs GVWR
- Testing: New Jersey MVC administers CDL tests
- DOT medical: MCSA-5876 required
- TWIC card: Required for Port Newark/Port Elizabeth terminal access
New Jersey-Specific Tips
- NJ Turnpike tolls: Commercial vehicle tolls on the NJ Turnpike are among the highest in the country. Confirm toll coverage with your carrier — and verify whether your classification (2-axle, 5-axle, etc.) is being charged correctly.
- NYC bridge and tunnel restrictions: Many NYC/NJ bridges and tunnels have height, weight, and hazmat restrictions. Know your route and truck specs before attempting urban NJ/NYC delivery runs.
- Traffic on the Turnpike: The NJ Turnpike is notorious for congestion, especially between Exit 7 and Exit 14 (Port Newark area). Time deliveries carefully — rush hour (7-9am, 4-7pm) on the Turnpike can double your delivery time.
- Income tax: NJ's top rate of 10.75% is among the highest in the US. The commute to work from Pennsylvania (lower tax) is common for NJ-based drivers — confirm your work location vs. residence implications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What trucking companies are hiring in New Jersey in 2026?
Old Dominion, UPS Freight, FedEx Freight, XPO, J.B. Hunt, Penske, and NFI Industries (NJ HQ) are all actively hiring in New Jersey. Port Newark drayage carriers are also major NJ employers for TWIC-credentialed drivers.
How much do drayage drivers make at Port Newark?
Experienced drayage drivers with port credentials at Port Newark/Port Elizabeth can earn $85,000–$120,000+ annually depending on the carrier, container volume, and efficiency. Port Newark is one of the most lucrative drayage markets in the US.
What makes the NJ Turnpike so important for truck drivers?
The New Jersey Turnpike carries more commercial vehicle traffic than any other toll road in the US. It's the direct route between the Port of NY/NJ and destinations south (Philadelphia, DC, and beyond) — meaning every container leaving Port Newark potentially touches the Turnpike.
Is pharmaceutical freight a major opportunity in New Jersey?
Yes. Central New Jersey has one of the highest concentrations of pharmaceutical manufacturing in the world. J&J, Merck, Pfizer, Bayer, and Novartis all have major NJ operations. Cold-chain pharmaceutical freight commands premium rates and requires clean records and sometimes additional certification.
Are there specific height/weight restrictions I should know about in NJ?
Yes. Several NJ bridges and tunnels (particularly in the NYC metro area) have height restrictions for commercial vehicles. The Lincoln Tunnel restricts certain vehicle heights; GWB upper level has height limits. Always use truck-specific GPS routing in NJ/NYC metro and know your truck's height exactly.
See also: Best Trucking Companies for Regional CDL Routes in 2026 — our national ranking of the 15 best carriers by driver pay, home time, and review rating.
Related: Trucking Company Red Flags Every Driver Should Know