Published 2026-03-18 by Max Dmytrov | 9 min read | Category: driver-guides
Tags: trucking companies hiring Mississippi, Mississippi trucking companies
Best Trucking Companies Hiring in Mississippi in 2026
By Max Dmytrov · Published March 18, 2026 · 9 min read
Mississippi's trucking market is smaller than neighboring Louisiana or Alabama but has real strengths: the Port of Gulfport on the Gulf Coast, a growing automotive sector, the I-55/I-20 freight crossroads in Jackson, and one of the largest catfish production industries in the world (yes, that generates actual freight). Cost of living is low, and CDL drivers can stretch their earnings further here than in most other states.
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| CDL driver average pay | $60,000–$81,000/year |
| State income tax | 5% flat (being phased out over several years) |
| Port of Gulfport | Gulf Coast deep-water port; banana imports, containerized cargo |
| Key freight types | Poultry, catfish/seafood, timber, agricultural, automotive |
| Key interstates | I-55, I-20, I-59, I-10 |
| Major employers | Toyota (Blue Springs), Ingalls Shipbuilding, Tyson, Sanderson Farms |
Why Mississippi Matters for Trucking
Mississippi may not be the highest-paying state for CDL drivers, but cost-of-living offset makes take-home pay go significantly further. The state's logistics infrastructure supports solid regional work in the Southeast, and several unique freight categories make Mississippi interesting for specialized carriers.
Toyota's Blue Springs, MS plant assembles the Corolla — generating automotive parts inbound freight on just-in-time lanes. This is one of the most stable dedicated carrier opportunities in northern Mississippi.
The Mississippi Delta's agricultural sector is enormous — cotton, soybeans, corn, rice, and catfish from the Delta lowlands generate both refrigerated and dry van freight. Mississippi is the #1 catfish-producing state — Belzoni (the Catfish Capital of the World) is real.
The Port of Gulfport has been expanding its container terminal. Banana imports (Gulfport is the primary US banana import port) and containerized goods create drayage demand in southern Mississippi.
Mississippi's Key Freight Corridors
| Corridor | Route | Primary Freight | Key Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-55 | TN border → Jackson → McComb → LA border | Agricultural, manufactured goods, north-south freight | Jackson, southern MS |
| I-20 | AL border → Meridian → Jackson → Vicksburg → LA border | General freight, automotive, distribution | Jackson, Meridian |
| I-59 | AL border → Hattiesburg → I-10 | Timber, general freight, chemical | Hattiesburg, south MS |
| I-10 | AL border → Biloxi → Gulfport → LA border | Port cargo, tourism logistics, chemical | Gulfport, Biloxi, Gulf Coast |
Best Trucking Companies with Mississippi Operations
| Carrier | Freight Type | Avg Pay | Home Time | Notable MS Terminals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Freight Lines | LTL Southeast | $64K–$82K | Regional/local | Jackson, Gulfport |
| Saia Inc. | LTL Southeast | $65K–$83K | Regional/local | Jackson, Meridian |
| Old Dominion | LTL | $70K–$88K | Regional/local | Jackson |
| Werner Enterprises | Dry van OTR | $60K–$80K | OTR | MS operations |
| Penske Logistics | Dedicated, 3PL | $62K–$80K | Dedicated | Blue Springs (Toyota area) |
| KLLM Transport | Refrigerated | $63K–$82K | OTR/regional | MS operations (KLLM has deep MS roots) |
| ABF Freight | LTL national | $66K–$85K | Regional | Jackson |
Compare driver reviews: oculusreviews.com/carriers. Also see Best Trucking Companies to Work For in 2026.
Top Freight Types in Mississippi
Poultry: Sanderson Farms, Koch Foods, and Wayne Farms all have significant Mississippi processing operations. Poultry is Mississippi's #1 agricultural commodity. Reefer outbound is steady year-round.
Timber/wood products: Southern yellow pine from Mississippi's extensive timber lands generates consistent flatbed and lumber freight, particularly in east and central Mississippi.
Catfish/seafood: The Mississippi Delta catfish industry generates specialized refrigerated freight from processing plants to distribution centers. Niche but real.
Automotive (Toyota): Toyota's Blue Springs plant generates dedicated just-in-time parts inbound freight from suppliers.
Mississippi CDL Requirements
- Age: 18+ intrastate, 21+ interstate
- CDL-A: Combination vehicles over 26,001 lbs GVWR
- Testing: Mississippi DPS administers CDL tests
- DOT medical: MCSA-5876 required
Mississippi-Specific Tips for CDL Drivers
- Heat and humidity: Mississippi summers are extreme — 95°F+ with high humidity. Cooling system maintenance and driver hydration are critical June–September.
- Hurricane risk (Gulf Coast): The I-10 Gulf Coast corridor is vulnerable to hurricane storm surge. Post-storm, building materials and recovery supplies surge on this route.
- Rural road quality: Mississippi county roads in the Delta are flat but can deteriorate significantly after heavy rain. Load securement needs extra attention on rural routes.
- Low cost of living advantage: Mississippi has the lowest cost of living of any US state. A $70,000 CDL salary goes significantly further here than in Texas or California — worth factoring when evaluating pay offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What trucking companies are hiring in Mississippi in 2026?
Southeastern Freight Lines, Saia, Old Dominion, Werner, Penske Logistics, KLLM Transport, and ABF Freight are all actively hiring in Mississippi. Toyota's Blue Springs plant generates significant dedicated automotive carrier demand in northern Mississippi.
Is Mississippi good for CDL drivers financially?
Mississippi has the lowest cost of living in the US. Even with pay rates that are somewhat below Midwest or California levels, take-home purchasing power in Mississippi is competitive. State income tax is also being phased out over time, improving the picture further.
What is the Port of Gulfport known for?
The Port of Gulfport is notable for being the primary US import port for bananas — nearly all US-consumed fresh bananas arrive through Gulfport. The port also handles general container cargo and has been expanding its terminal capacity. TWIC required for port access.
Is there really a catfish industry in Mississippi?
Yes — Mississippi produces roughly 60–70% of the US's farm-raised catfish. The Delta counties (Sunflower, Humphreys, Leflore) have large catfish farm operations feeding processing plants in Belzoni and surrounding towns. Refrigerated outbound freight from these facilities runs to retailers and food service nationally.
What Toyota plant is in Mississippi?
Toyota's Blue Springs Manufacturing plant in Blue Springs, MS (Union County, northeast Mississippi) assembles the Toyota Corolla. Just-in-time parts inbound from Midwest and Southeast suppliers generate dedicated carrier freight demand in northern Mississippi.