Roehl Transport at a Glance

Roehl Transport has been running freight out of Marshfield, Wisconsin since 1962. It's a family-owned company that has grown to significant scale without losing the characteristics that come from that ownership structure: a genuine emphasis on safety culture, longer-term thinking about driver relationships, and a training program that has earned real respect in the industry. If you're looking for a carrier that won't treat safety as a marketing talking point, Roehl is worth a serious evaluation.

What Roehl Transport Drivers Say

Drivers on trucking forums consistently describe Roehl as one of the better large carriers to work for, with the qualifier that "better" is relative in an industry where the baseline can be low. The genuine positives: safety culture is real, equipment is well-maintained, and the company is not known for the aggressive utilization-at-all-costs dispatch culture that characterizes some competitors.

The CDL training program gets strong reviews. Drivers who went through the Get Your CDL program describe it as thorough and genuinely safety-focused, not a rushed process designed to get bodies in seats. The behind-the-wheel training time is real. Experienced trainers are a consistent positive. The trade-off is the standard post-training contract commitment — Roehl owns your first year or so, and pay during that period is below the experienced rate.

Dispatch communication is one of the more positive aspects of Roehl reviews. Drivers report that dispatchers are generally accessible and respectful — less of the dismissive "just drive" culture that drives turnover at larger anonymous carriers. Some drivers attribute this to the family-owned culture. Others note that quality varies by dispatcher and fleet, and you shouldn't bank on a great dispatch relationship just because the company has a good reputation.

Pay is the most common moderate criticism: competitive with the market but not a top-payer. Drivers who want the highest possible CPM find better offers at carriers willing to trade culture for pay. Roehl drivers tend to stay longer, which suggests the total-package valuation works for the segment they attract.

Pay: Real Numbers

Experienced OTR dry van drivers at Roehl earn $0.52–$0.61 CPM in 2026. Flatbed drivers earn a few cents per mile above the dry van rate, consistent with the industry norm for open deck premium. Annual gross for OTR drivers running consistent miles falls in the $58,000–$75,000 range.

CDL training program graduates start at a lower pay scale — typically $0.42–$0.50 CPM — with increases tied to mileage milestones and tenure. The payback period contract is standard for the industry. Read all terms before signing.

Accessorial pay at Roehl is reported as fair — detention pay activates at reasonable thresholds, layover pay exists, and stop pay for multiple-stop loads is included. This is an area where Roehl performs better than average; some competitors have accessorial terms that make the published CPM misleading. Benefits include health insurance, dental, vision, 401(k) with matching, and paid vacation. Nothing extraordinary, but solid.

Home Time

Roehl offers multiple fleet options with different home time profiles. OTR drivers on the national dry van or flatbed fleet average 2–3 days home per 3–4 weeks out. Regional and dedicated fleets offer meaningfully better home time — some regional Roehl positions deliver weekly or near-weekly home time for Midwest-based drivers.

The Marshfield, Wisconsin headquarters location affects lane options. Drivers based in the Midwest — Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa — have better access to regional routes that keep them closer to home. Drivers based on the coasts or in the South have fewer regional options and are more likely to be in a straight OTR position.

Home time at Roehl is generally reported as consistent with what was promised at hire — one of the company's strengths in driver reviews is that commitments made during recruiting tend to hold. This is not universal, but it's a consistent positive that distinguishes Roehl from carriers where home time promises evaporate after you sign.

Equipment and Working Conditions

Roehl's primary tractor is the Volvo VNL, which generates strong reactions in the driver community. Volvo advocates love the smooth ride, driver amenity package, and fuel efficiency. Drivers who prefer Kenworth or Peterbilt iron sometimes take time to adjust. Fleet age is generally newer — Roehl turns equipment regularly, and you're unlikely to find yourself in a truck with 800,000 miles on it.

Dry van trailers are standard 53-foot, well-maintained. Flatbed and step deck trailers are part of the open deck division. Equipment maintenance response gets solid reviews — the safety culture that permeates the company's driver management also shows up in how mechanical issues are handled. Drivers report that breakdown response is generally responsive and that the company doesn't pressure drivers to keep moving with equipment that needs attention.

ELD system compliance is standard. Working conditions overall reflect the safety-first organizational culture — dispatch doesn't push drivers into HOS violations, and management response to safety concerns is reported as more serious than at many competitors.

Who Should (and Shouldn't) Apply

Good fit for:

• Safety-minded OTR drivers who want a carrier with genuine safety culture, not just marketing
• CDL candidates who want quality training and are willing to trade higher initial pay for a better training foundation
• Midwest-based drivers who want regional fleet options with better home time
• Drivers who value equipment quality and responsive maintenance over top CPM
• Drivers planning a long-term career at one company — Roehl's retention rates are above average for the industry

Not a good fit for:

• Drivers who prioritize the highest possible CPM over culture and stability
• Coastal-based drivers who won't have access to regional lanes
• Drivers who want to avoid Volvo equipment — Roehl's fleet is heavily Volvo
• CDL candidates who need maximum immediate income from day one — training contract terms limit early earnings

How to Evaluate Roehl Transport Before You Sign

1. Identify which fleet you'd be entering. National OTR, Midwest regional, or dedicated — they have meaningfully different home time and lane profiles. Don't accept a generic "Roehl offer" without understanding which fleet.
2. Verify home time expectations against your home location. Midwest drivers have better regional options. Others will likely be OTR. Know which category you fall into before signing.
3. Check FMCSA SMS scores. Roehl's scores are consistently above average — verify current data at the FMCSA website as part of your due diligence.
4. Ask about flatbed vs. dry van assignment. Both are available; pay and working conditions differ. Know which you're entering.
5. For CDL training candidates: read the contract in full. Understand the commitment period, pay scale progression, and payback terms before enrolling.

Before finalizing any carrier decision, check our trucking company red flags guide. Compare Roehl against other top carriers in our best trucking companies to work for in 2026.

FAQ

What does Roehl Transport pay in 2026?

Experienced OTR dry van drivers earn $0.52–$0.61 CPM. Flatbed drivers earn a small premium above dry van rates. Annual gross for consistent OTR drivers is $58,000–$75,000.

Does Roehl Transport have a CDL training program?

Yes. The Get Your CDL program is well-regarded for training quality and safety focus. Graduates are contracted to drive for Roehl for a set period at a lower pay scale that steps up toward the experienced rate over 12–18 months.

How is Roehl Transport's safety culture?

Genuinely strong. FMCSA SMS data backs up the marketing. Dispatch doesn't pressure drivers into HOS violations, equipment maintenance is taken seriously, and safety concerns are handled more responsibly than at many carriers of comparable size.

Where is Roehl Transport headquartered?

Marshfield, Wisconsin. Family-owned since 1962. Midwest roots affect lane availability — Midwest-based drivers have the best access to regional fleet options.

How is home time at Roehl Transport?

OTR drivers average 2–3 days home per 3–4 weeks. Regional fleets for Midwest-based drivers can deliver near-weekly home time. Home time commitments at Roehl are generally consistent with what was promised at hire.

What equipment does Roehl Transport run?

Primarily Volvo VNL tractors with 53-foot dry van trailers and open deck trailers for the flatbed division. Fleet is newer — Roehl turns equipment regularly. Strong maintenance culture keeps the equipment in good operating condition.