Old Dominion Freight Line vs Estes Express Lines
Both Virginia-based LTL leaders. Old Dominion is publicly traded with industry-best profit sharing. Estes is privately held with ESOP. Old Dominion pays more; Estes is easier to get into.
Old Dominion Freight Line
- Pay
- $65,000 - $100,000+
- Fleet
- 10,000+ tractors
- Rating
- 4.5/5
Estes Express Lines
- Pay
- $58,000 - $90,000
- Fleet
- 8,000+ tractors
- Rating
- 4.2/5
Head-to-Head Comparison
Pay
Old Dominion Freight Line
ODFL pays $65K-$100K+ with substantial profit sharing.
Estes Express Lines
Estes pays $58K-$90K with ESOP building wealth.
Home Time
Old Dominion Freight Line
City daily; linehaul weekly.
Estes Express Lines
City daily; linehaul predictable.
Benefits
Old Dominion Freight Line
Profit sharing, 401(k), stock purchase.
Estes Express Lines
ESOP, 401(k), health, dock-to-driver.
Training/Support
Old Dominion Freight Line
1 year required. Selective hiring.
Estes Express Lines
Strong dock-to-driver. Promotes from within.
Equipment/Technology
Old Dominion Freight Line
Modern fleet, 250+ terminals.
Estes Express Lines
Large, well-maintained fleet.
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.
Old Dominion Freight Line
- Founded
- 1934
- Fleet
- 10,000+ tractors
- Drivers
- 11,000+
- Divisions
- Local, Regional, LTL
- Experience wanted
- 1 year CDL-A
- Strongest states
- North Carolina, Virginia and Texas
Old Dominion is consistently rated as the top LTL carrier in the industry for service quality. The company has over 250 service centers nationwide and is known for excellent driver compensation and a strong safety record.
Only Old Dominion Freight Line is strong in: North Carolina and Texas — worth knowing if you want to be domiciled there.
Listed by Old Dominion Freight Line and not by Estes Express Lines
- • Industry-leading LTL compensation
- • Profit sharing and 401(k)
- • Full health, dental, and vision
- • Company stock purchase plan
- • Home daily for city drivers
Estes Express Lines
- Founded
- 1931
- Fleet
- 8,000+ tractors
- Drivers
- 9,000+
- Divisions
- Local, Regional, LTL
- Experience wanted
- 1 year CDL-A (dock-to-driver programs available)
- Strongest states
- Virginia, Ohio and Georgia
Estes Express is the largest privately held LTL carrier in the U.S. Family-owned since 1931, the company is known for its strong corporate culture, driver-friendly policies, and extensive service center network covering all 50 states.
Only Estes Express Lines is strong in: Ohio and Georgia — worth knowing if you want to be domiciled there.
Listed by Estes Express Lines and not by Old Dominion Freight Line
- • Health, dental, and vision insurance
- • 401(k) with company match
- • Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
- • Paid time off and holidays
- • Dock-to-driver career path
Our Verdict
Old Dominion for maximum pay. Estes for ESOP ownership and career entry through dock-to-driver. Both are premier LTL employers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pays more?
Old Dominion with profit sharing. Estes ESOP builds wealth differently but ODFL's annual comp is higher.
Which promotes from within more?
Estes has a more formalized dock-to-driver program.
Both from Virginia?
Yes. Old Dominion is in Thomasville, NC (near VA border). Estes is in Richmond, VA.