truck driver

lube technician

maintenance technician

driver manager

mechanic

Heartland Express

Began my career OTR with Gordon after they had been acquired by Heartland. Had a good trainer and a pleasant experience getting on the road. To a man, every single driver I spoke with told me the company was much better before the acquisition. I obviously don't have any other experience to compare my time with HLX to, but from what I've seen pay appears to be decent; I was making .43 CPM on my one year anniversary with the company.

Driver payroll seems to be where their money goes, because aside from that the company is ridiculously cheap. My first truck was an old Gordon Freightliner and it had all sorts of bells and whistles. My second was a newer Heartland and was as bare bones as could be. The day the acquisition was completed the Porta Potties immediately disappeared from every single terminal and drop yard; that alone tells you a lot. When I quit, the company would have charged me a 500 dollar "abandonment fee" if I had left my truck at my home terminal, even with full two weeks notice given. Instead I was required to leave the truck at a terminal almost 1,000 miles away and was given no sort of assistance, monetary or otherwise, getting back home.

I had a good driver manager left over from Gordon days who tried hard to do right by drivers in the face of Heartland's changes. Had a couple minor disagreements and was a day or so late for time off every once in a while, but for the most part did right by me. A lot of the other dispatchers were fairly clueless. Had three different fleet managers due to the Gordon churn but they were all great, really three of the best bosses I've ever had at any job. 

Trucks are governed at 64 mph. Try to avoid terminals during the business day, as you can wait in one of their inspection lanes for HOURS (not exaggerating) with your clock running down. Also, if you don't like driving in adverse conditions you're in luck! Heartland issues a mandatory weather related shutdown any time a strong breeze blows or a snowflake touches the ground. They also use the lane departure system, which will blare in your ears testing itself every time you hit the power to the truck. Heartland is definitely about safety.

Was more or less content with the company, I left due to a lack of length and variation in routes. Runs are mostly short to medium haul, so you'll be dealing with shippers/receivers regularly. If you're a driver out west you'll stay out west, and if you're a driver in the east you'll stay in the east. Due to the dozens of 14 foot trailers the company is buying to appease the Georga Pacific account, Denver is basically the Berlin Wall for any driver hoping to get to the opposite side of the country. I only made it east every three months or so, even after switching to a full 48 fleet, and only when I deliberately asked for something going that way. Specifically if you're OTR out west you'll basically just go in and out of California, so if you live west of the plains and don't like the Golden State, this is not the company for you. A large majority of their western freight just runs up and down I-5.

Not a bad starter company overall and they may well have what you're looking for, but as with any situation there will be positives and negatives.

I haveve been with heartland over a year. Besides the quality of my truck and the regular home time, it's been a less that great experience. The money I was told would be making while getting hired is significantly lower than once i was hired. On a regular week, not only do I work 12+ hour days back to back, the days are filled with hunting for empties, (that way you cant get detention). I'm sent to multiple places, out of the way, through traffic. My mileage is usually off about 50 miles. About two or three times a month, I get loads that the info is all wrong. when I call to get clarification, Iv gotten lied to. When I arrive at the shipper, not only are the details different, they are often shippers that Heartland works with other, and the process is always the same. The rare occasion I have a week where I'm actually driving my time and not getting short loads or finding trailers, I have been spent to get specific loads on damaged trailers the company wants fixed. When something goes wrong, it falls back on the driver. The internal organization is set up for the driver to do more than needed. For example, if I need maintenance done, I have to tell the dm, then call maitenance, then call risk, talk to others who take their time calling and have your sitting around for basic stuff. Another example, Say need oil on the road, I have to call dm, then breakdown, then after hours to finally be able to get the funds. After that there is still a whole process. The planners and dispatch don't like to be questioned.  Iv been met with rudeness and passive aggression almost every day. 

I worked at heartland from 2/18/2024-9/16/24
Id give heartland a 8/10 overall it’s actually not a bad company in my experience , they don’t micromanage you they’re super laidback  , for the most part you’re only dealing with your driver manager on the loads I was only running from CA- AZ for the most part they do keep you running surprisingly for such small options of freight & they do respect what you’re hired on to run which I loved cause some companies don’t respect that maybe a handful of times did you run to Vegas which is not a big deal , the trucks are governed at 68 which is great for when you cross into AZ & a handful of times I did sit a full day waiting for a load for the most part everyone’s cool in Phoenix terminal since that’s who I dealt with after they got ride of their nice Rancho Cucamonga terminal for the San Bernardino drop yard which did suck but it is what it is NOWWW the major issues is the pay you usually only get paid your pay protection even if you run hard which is easy to get not sure why drivers complain you just got to be available 5 in a half days work over 45 hours & not go over 48 hours on your hometime like I said my experience was good I did try to go back & they have a strict rehire process even if you left on good terms seems like they deny you one of the recruiters said it’s 2 years to get the verdict changed.. but overall my experience was good. Definitely would work for them again. 

 Working at Heartland Express is a consistently frustrating experience. The pay is low, the miles are inconsistent, and the dispatch team is unprofessional at best. Communication with dispatch was particularly problematic—they often came off as disrespectful, frequently cutting calls short or responding with hostility when asked for help or clarification.

After-hours "support" is practically nonexistent; you're usually just told to call back during regular business hours, which defeats the purpose. Fleet managers rarely return calls, leaving you to fend for yourself most of the time. This lack of support contributes to a toxic work environment that feels both burned-out and indifferent from the top down.

Equipment is generally in decent shape, but don't count on basic upkeep—like truck washes—especially at the Phoenix terminal, where the wash bay always seems to be out of service. Load assignments are usually a 50/50 split between live loads and unloads.

The only consistent positive I experience is that they do honor home time requests, which I appreciate. Unfortunately, that's not nearly enough to make up for the broader issues with the company culture and operations.

Bottom line: Unless you're in a tough spot or truly out of options, I’d recommend steering clear.

I enjoy working with the dispatchers and other members of management. If you let your dispatcher know in advance of your plans and when you need time off they will do everything they can to make sure it happens. My dispatchers and planners have done this for me from the moment I was acquired by Heartland Express form GTI. If you are willing to be a TEAM PLAYER and understand that you are helping Heartland Express's customers succeed, then you will do well here. 
There were a few times when I was over the road and I didn't have cell service with my phone, nor was there a pay phone near by so I could contact my family and let them know I was shutting down for the night and everything was ok. I requested of my dispatcher over their computer if they would contact my wife and let her know I was ok, and I was shutting down for 10 hours. They were happy to do this for me, they know that a happy driver is a productive driver. This make being over the road a little easier knowing that my family doesn't have to worry if I'm ok.  
If you talk to you dispatcher and make them aware of any problems that may arise, they'll do what they can to help you. 


I would honestly give these guys a 0 if I could Heartland Express does not cares about their Drivers typical MegaCarrier but the worst thing next Western Express you will get very low mileage you will find yourself fighting to get 1500 miles some weeks I only had over 2200 miles 2 times in 16 weeks of being there they don’t care when they get you home very disrespectful office personnel in almost every department if you have any problems you will be ignored or rushed off the phone the equipment the best thing about working here but the pay if the worst for experienced driver will average $800 to $900 I only seen $1000 twice and if you have a opinion how you are being ran they will terminate you and they will try to take $500 from you even if you return your truck to the right location you they’ll have you sitting almost 20 hrs at a time between loads they don’t use the spot market to get you out of a bad area for freight because they’re a contract carrier that only do short hauls you will average 300 miles a day the only positive about this company is the customers because you will go big distribution center most of the time if you don’t have a life outside the truck and want to be broke this the place for you


What I mean is Heartland is like any other trucking company. They tell you they care about your needs, and you may get lucky and deal with one of the few who does care, but for the most part, all they care about is for you to do your job. Home time is hard to come by sometimes, and if you have an appointment with a doctor or any other arrangement after you've missed that appointment a couple of times, then they may get you home. They have good pay, and the insurance isn't that good, but it's better than some. If you are happy where you are and only want to make more money per mile, don't go to Heartland. If you are set in making a change anyway, go ahead and try out Heartland. You'll be tested for about 6 months with a wide array of short hauls that will be backed up with better runs but some things they ask you to do, like take the empty trailer you have and drop in at a shipper and then go get another empty trailer several miles away or in the middle of a city to pick up your load, gets very frustrating. If you can hang in there, you will be one of their "people" and will still have to do the local stuff from time to time but very rarely.

On the surface,heartland is like any other company out there:same trucks,trlrs and hometime policy(1 day off for every week your out/2week min)..With the buyout of Gordon,their support of the driver showed their true colours.Gordon trucks were equipt with:APU,5th wheel release from the cab and a suspension drop..Let's face it,People stay or leave for reasons only known by them.But aren't we as drivers on the bottom of the totem pole:benefits we cannot use because we can't get home to use them..Every employee of the company should have been a driver or go out with a driver for 2wks,to better understand their job but also to know what a driver goes thru..My "DM" said he spent 20yrs with Schnieder,some drivers said he only drove for 6months..is there room for advancement at Heartland? Heartland drivers are the key to the success of the company..Our drivers are known to be the best in the business..they gotta start someplace,why here..I do not have a life after driving..Have a wonderful non-Heartland Express day

Count your miles, because you might not get paid for all you run. There was problems years ago…. You can expect out with the family owned company. I think they had cousins and so forth working there.  They have some really great routes.  And ill Paso is very scenic with good food.  But Mesilla Valley tries to keep you from leaving by other than paying you more money or treating you better.  They’ll leave something on your record so you’re stuck there.  The dispatcher is a rude and inconsiderate.  Some of their customers are pretty nice.  And they have a cut above average drivers that are often warm and friendly.  But if you expect to make more than $800 a week…. You’ll have to settle was $600.  It doesn’t mean you’ll make that every week, but that is about what you will average.  It seems like you’re overworked because when you get work, you really get driven but those days when you just sit doing nothing.  In the winter you get cold in the summer you get as hot as hades 

1st ....I AM NOT A DISGRUNTLED DRIVER. 2ND I was a Interstate Distribution OTR driver. A awsome company. I was on a dedicated Joann fabrics run. Calif to denver co. Good miles 2,4k to 2,6k an home every weekend for a restart . Was perfect cause my 





daughters fighting cancer. Heartland buys Interstate an it all go's away.....Heartland lost or canceled Joaan.....Company doesn't like dedicated. Yes got a raise with heartland but when you only run 2k miles or less that doesn't work. Personally no future here, 4hrs all u get for sick time an vacation combined,  Detention is a INSULT.... $11 .....we are PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS....NOT UNSKILLED LABOR!!!!!!!!  For Washington down to Los Angeles, Ca. U see no new drivers, multiple office people have comfermed heartland should have around 6k in drivers from buying Gordon Trucking, an Interstate. .....THEY HAVE LESS THAN 2K DRIVERS........Sadly they are not a company that respects drivers or carries about there future......they only want one thing $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ IN THERE POCKET........My Advice. ......what ever company you think of going to ASK MULTIPLE DRIVERS........ STay Safe an Have Fun

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Truck driver 214 salaries reported	$1,540 per week
Lube technician 1 salary reported	$18.50 per hour
Maintenance technician 10 salaries reported	$19.05 per hour
Driver manager 3 salaries reported	$50,000 per year
Mechanic 1 salary reported	$40,000 per year

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