Covenant Transport vs Heartland Express
Covenant is known for team driving and expedited freight. Heartland focuses on short-to-medium haul with more frequent home time. Different strengths for different driver priorities.
Covenant Transport
- Pay
- $50,000 - $80,000
- Fleet
- 3,500+ trucks
- Rating
- 3.5/5
Heartland Express
- Pay
- $55,000 - $80,000
- Fleet
- 5,000+ trucks
- Rating
- 3.6/5
Head-to-Head Comparison
Pay
Covenant Transport
Covenant pays $50K-$80K with team driving bonuses pushing earnings higher.
Heartland Express
Heartland pays $55K-$80K with consistent miles on shorter routes.
Home Time
Covenant Transport
Covenant OTR and team drivers may be out 2+ weeks; dedicated is better.
Heartland Express
Heartland's short-haul focus gets many drivers home weekly or more.
Benefits
Covenant Transport
Covenant offers medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid orientation, team bonuses.
Heartland Express
Heartland provides health, 401(k) match, paid orientation, late-model trucks.
Training/Support
Covenant Transport
Covenant accepts recent graduates with training programs.
Heartland Express
Heartland prefers 1 year experience with limited new driver programs.
Equipment/Technology
Covenant Transport
Covenant runs a modern fleet for OTR and expedited.
Heartland Express
Heartland maintains late-model Freightliners with clean, reliable trucks.
Where they actually differ
The scores above are our reading. This part is just the two carriers' profiles side by side — divisions, what they ask of a new hire, where they run, and which benefits only one of them lists.
Covenant Transport
- Founded
- 1986
- Fleet
- 3,500+ trucks
- Drivers
- 4,000+
- Divisions
- OTR, Regional, Dedicated, Team, Expedited
- Experience wanted
- Recent graduates accepted (training programs available)
- Strongest states
- Tennessee, Texas and Florida
Covenant Transport, part of Covenant Logistics Group, is a major truckload carrier based in Chattanooga, TN. The company operates OTR, dedicated, and expedited divisions with a strong presence in the Southeast and Midwest.
Only Covenant Transport is strong in: Tennessee and Florida — worth knowing if you want to be domiciled there.
Listed by Covenant Transport and not by Heartland Express
- • Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- • 401(k) plan
- • Paid orientation and training
- • Weekly pay
- • Team driving incentives
Heartland Express
- Founded
- 1978
- Fleet
- 5,000+ trucks
- Drivers
- 5,000+
- Divisions
- OTR, Regional, Dedicated
- Experience wanted
- 1 year CDL-A preferred (some recent graduate programs)
- Strongest states
- Iowa, Texas and Georgia
Heartland Express is a major irregular-route truckload carrier focused on short-to-medium haul lanes. Known for getting drivers home more frequently than typical OTR carriers, Heartland operates primarily in the eastern two-thirds of the U.S.
Only Heartland Express is strong in: Iowa and Georgia — worth knowing if you want to be domiciled there.
Listed by Heartland Express and not by Covenant Transport
- • Medical, dental, and vision
- • 401(k) with company match
- • Paid orientation
- • Late-model Freightliner equipment
- • Weekly home time options
Our Verdict
Heartland wins for home time priority. Covenant is better for team drivers and expedited freight. New CDL holders may find Covenant more accessible since Heartland prefers experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Heartland really better for home time?
Yes. Short-to-medium haul routes naturally cycle drivers home more frequently.
Is Covenant good for team driving?
Yes, one of the better carriers with team bonuses and expedited lanes.
Which has better trucks?
Both modern. Heartland standardizes on Freightliners. Quality is comparable.