Knight Transportation (Knight-Swift)

Phoenix, AZ · Founded 1990 · 7,500+ trucks · 48 states

Company Overview

Knight Transportation, now the Knight side of the Knight-Swift merger, has a reputation for running a tighter, more driver-friendly operation than many mega carriers. Founded by the Moyes family in Arizona, Knight has historically focused on efficiency, on-time delivery, and newer equipment. The company operates strong regional and dedicated fleets and is particularly well-regarded in the western United States.

Pay & Compensation

Solo Driver Pay

$0.52-$0.68/mi

Team Driver Pay

$0.64-$0.78/mi

Owner-Operator Pay

$1.18-$1.52/mi

Benefits & Perks

Competitive per-mile pay with experience bonuses
Full benefits package (medical, dental, vision)
401(k) with company match
Late-model equipment
Driver development programs
Referral bonuses

Hiring Requirements

Minimum Age: 21 years old
Experience Required: 4 months minimum
CDL Class: Class A
Endorsements: None required

Pros & Cons

Pros

Better per-mile pay than Swift brand
Newer equipment fleet-wide
Strong safety record
Efficient dispatch and route planning

Cons

Fewer CDL training options than Swift side
Less freight volume in some eastern markets
4-month experience minimum can exclude some new drivers

Equipment & Operations

Equipment Types

Dry VanRefrigeratedDedicatedDrayage

Operating Region

48 states

Home Time

Weekly for regional; every 14-21 days for OTR

Annual Revenue

$7.1 billion (Knight-Swift combined)

Best For

Drivers with some experience seeking a well-managed fleet with solid pay

Frequently Asked Questions About Knight Transportation (Knight-Swift)

While merged under Knight-Swift Holdings, Knight and Swift operate somewhat independently. Knight generally has newer equipment, slightly higher pay, and more stringent hiring requirements (4 months vs. no experience). Knight is known for efficiency while Swift is known for volume.

Knight does not have its own CDL academy like Swift does. However, they partner with CDL schools and will hire recent graduates with at least 4 months of verifiable driving experience.

Knight operates across all 48 contiguous states, with the strongest presence in the western and southwestern United States. They run dry van, refrigerated, dedicated, and drayage operations.

Company Overview

Frequently Asked Questions About Knight Transportation (Knight-Swift)

Knight does not have its own CDL academy like Swift does. However, they partner with CDL schools and will hire recent graduates with at least 4 months of verifiable driving experience.

Knight operates across all 48 contiguous states, with the strongest presence in the western and southwestern United States. They run dry van, refrigerated, dedicated, and drayage operations.