The 10 Most Popular Lease-To-Own (Lease-Purchase) Truck Companies

Procuring a commercial truck to transport freight is typically associated with a hefty investment upfront. Unfortunately, most aspiring trucking business owners or owner-operators are not able to come up with enough capital to purchase a truck outright.

Moreover, many looking to take the financing route often opt out due to high-interest rates and unaffordable down payments. Fortunately, there is an alternative option that allows aspiring truck owners to bridge the gap and transition into owner-operators cost-effectively.

By opting for a lease-to-own (also known as lease-purchase) agreement, you’re able to lease a truck with an option to purchase it at the end of the term. These agreements are commonly offered by trucking companies, manufacturers, and third-party dealers.

In recent years, lease-purchase programs have become the go-to strategy for aspiring truckers looking to further their careers and business, while enjoying the freedom of independent contract offers.

More importantly, they enjoy lucrative benefits, such as low upfront capital, 24/7 operational & technical support, downtime truck replacements, and repair and maintenance discounts, to name a few.

Today, many trucking companies, including PGT Trucking, Schneider, and JB Hunt offer lease-to-own trucking programs and partner with drivers to transport cargo until the end of their lease term, with an option to purchase the truck.

If you’re looking to enroll in a lease-purchase program, continue reading to explore our most recommended lease-to-own truck companies.

1. Swift Transportation

• Year Established: 1966
• Headquarters: Phoenix, Arizona
• Brands: Freightliner, International, Kenworth & Volvo
• Types: Sleeper & Day Cab Trucks
• Condition: New & Used
• Website: Link

Swift Transportation (ST) is one of the most popular names in the trucking industry. Since its founding in 1966, the company has provided thousands of truckers with the best trucks in the market.

With its structured and streamlined lease-to-own trucking contract, you can enjoy a quick and simple browsing experience and choose from a massive fleet comprising over 23,000 new and used trucks from brands, such as Volvo, Kenworth, International, and Freightliner.

One of the many reasons why Swift Transportation has made a name for itself in the market is accessibility. The company operates in over 40 US states along with Canada and Mexico.

Moreover, you can set your driving hours and pick up your loads according to your convenience. By moving for Swift Transportation, you’ll enjoy a wide range of benefits, including health and dental insurance for you and your immediate family (spouse and kids).

Other benefits include retirement plans, safety bonuses, profit-sharing, and paid orientation. If these reasons aren’t tempting enough, ST also has a zero down payment scheme that enables truckers with low budgets to take a shorter path to truck ownership.

2. PGT Trucking

• Year Established: 1981
• Headquarters: Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
• Brands: International
• Types: Sleeper & Day Cab Trucks
• Condition: Used
• Website: Link

PGT Trucking is another well-reputed trucking company based in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. They provide an extensive range of powerful International flatbed trucks and cater mainly to the construction, oil & gas, machinery, and automotive industries.

As a renowned lease-purchase program facilitator in the country, they offer flexible leasing options, most of which require no down payment. Once you enroll, you’ll be assigned a fleet manager for vehicle selection, contract crafting, and post-agreement training.

To ease the financial burden further, PGT offsets all charges for the first month and provides free trailer rental as well. However, you need to meet certain requirements, such as possessing a Class A CDL with a year of trucking experience. Drivers also need to be at least 21 years of age.

3. Schneider

• Year Established: 1935
• Headquarters: Green Bay, Wisconsin
• Brands: Freightliner, International & Volvo
• Types: Sleeper, Day Cab & Box Trucks
• Condition: Used
• Website: Link

Schneider is a world-renowned trucking and logistics service provider based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The company possesses one of the largest fleets in the market with over 45,000 sleeper trucks, day cab trucks, trailers, and box trucks.

Since its founding in 1935, Schneider has grown exponentially to become a market leader with over 200 facilities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Every year, it launches new lease-to-own trucking programs to prompt aspiring owner-operators to choose their desired freight vehicles from renowned brands like Freightliner, Volvo, and International.

Moreover, drivers can select their loads and routes at their convenience and enjoy many other benefits, such as free roadside assistance and discounts on accessories and even maintenance.

However, the most important perk of opting for Schneider is its two main lease-purchase programs that are attractive for aspiring truck owners – the All-In Revenue Program and the Percent-Revenue Program.

The All-In Revenue Program includes a fuel sub-charge and an additional accessorial at a single rate. In contrast, the Percent-Revenue Program pays owner-operators 65% of the shipping revenue with a 100% fuel sub-charge. 

4. Nova Lines

• Year Established: 2012
• Headquarters: Bridgeview, Illinois
• Brands: Freightliner & Kenworth
• Types: Sleeper & Day Cab Trucks
• Condition: Used
• Website: Link

Nova Lines is one of the newest and fastest-growing trucking companies in the US freight industry. It offers lessees a wide range of powerful trucks (mostly 2018 or newer Freightliner and Kenworth models) along with several lease plans for different budgets and circumstances.

For many aspiring trucking business owners, Nova Lines has been a popular choice due to one particular reason; a steady workflow that ensures regular weekly income along with tailored leasing plans.

Moreover, you can pick your distances and routes making backhaul planning more convenient. Depending on your lifestyle, you can be on the road for weeks in a row or choose to return home once a week.

Regardless of your choice, you get full control of operations. Furthermore, Nova Lines offers a flexible payment model. It can stretch your agreement to seven years which would take a huge load off your overall truck expenses.

So, if you’re looking to build a business from scratch, this gives you enough time to pay the company back while making a good profit. Other benefits include extended warranties, $1 end-of-lease buyouts, and 24/7 roadside assistance.

However, Nova Lines has relatively stricter requirements to maximize safety and compliance. It requires a minimum of 1.5 years of CDL-A experience and over 90 days of flatbed experience.

5. Roehl Transport

• Year Established: 1962
• Headquarters: Marshfield, Wisconsin
• Brands: Freightliner & International
• Types: Sleeper & Day Cab Trucks
• Condition: Used
• Website: Link

Roehl is another trucking industry veteran offering a massive fleet of sleeper and day cab trucks since 1962. It’s an excellent choice for owner-operators looking to start and build their careers in the freight industry. The company offers highly affordable zero-down lease-to-own programs.

Moreover, it offers the latest models of Freightliner and International vehicles with state-of-the-art safety and productivity technologies. By enrolling in Roehl’s program, you also get free business ownership training along with support from experts in the industry.

The company also offers mile-based compensation. Hence, the amount you earn simply depends on how much cargo you move. To enroll in Roehl’s lease-purchase program, you need to be at least 18 years old and possess a valid driver’s license with an excellent record.

To apply for its operator program, you are required to have four to five years of experience as a company driver.

6. KSM Carrier Group

• Year Established: –
• Headquarters: Griffith, Indiana
• Brands: Kenworth & Peterbilt
• Types: Sleeper & Day Cab Trucks
• Condition: Used
• Website: Link

KSM Carrier Group is a family-owned freight transport and logistics provider with a large fleet of sleeper and day cab trucks that are available for lease-purchase to aspiring owner-operators.

The Griffith, Indiana-based company aims to stand out from other providers by focusing mainly on used temperature-controlled, semi-trucks (Kenworth & Peterbilt) and dry vans.

If you’re looking to build a career in shipping fragile or sensitive goods, KSM Carrier Group is an excellent choice to procure your vehicle, especially if you’re looking for a steady income.

The company offers one of the best percentage-based programs in the market and actively upgrades its fleet with the latest technologies for smoother operations. In case of a mid-transit breakdown, KSM Carrier Group will also send a replacement vehicle if the repairs take longer than eight hours.

With this benefit, you won’t have to worry about undesired and prolonged layovers. To enroll in the lease-purchase programs, drivers must complete a DOT inspection on the day of joining and have a valid driver’s license with a clean record for the past three years.

7. JB Hunt

• Year Established: 1961
• Headquarters: Lowell, Arkansas
• Brands: Freightliner & Prostar
• Types: Sleeper & Day Cab Trucks
• Condition: Used
• Website: Link

JB Hunt is one of America’s largest trucking companies specializing in intermodal (rail and ship) services. Today, it employs around 30,000 people and operates over 13,000 trucks with over 100,000 trailers and containers.

Its revenue is close to $10 billion, making the company one of the go-to options for shippers in the US, Canada, and Mexico. JB Hunt also offers different lease-to-own trucking programs, including a zero down payment one.

Drivers can also enjoy weekly earnings based on percentage or mileage. Owner-operators also benefit from flexible schedules. Moreover, they get access to special discounts on repairs, maintenance, accessories, and fuel, depending on the location, and market conditions.

8. CRST

• Year Established: 1955
• Headquarters: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
• Brands: Freightliner, International & Volvo
• Types: Sleeper & Day Cab Trucks
• Condition: Used & Salvaged
• Website: Link

CRST is an Iowa-based trucking firm providing a large range of freight transport and logistics solutions. It currently operates a fleet of 4,500 sleeper and day cab trucks and specializes in expedited and last-mile services.

However, unlike most companies, CRST requires experienced drivers to join their lease-to-own program. Therefore, it provides a $10,000 sign-on bonus to attract the best drivers in the market looking to transition into owner-operators. The company also offsets the credit check for quick onboarding and allows drivers to choose their off-schedules.

Due to the high requirements, its most successful drivers and operators earn between $215,000 and $350,000 a year. To enroll in the program, you need a valid CDL-A license with at least 120 days of OTR experience.

9. Ryder

• Year Established: 1933
• Headquarters: Miami, Florida
• Brands: Freightliner, Navistar, Ford, GMC, & More
• Types: Sleeper & Day Cab Trucks
• Condition: Used
• Website: Link

Ryder is one of the most popular commercial rental truck companies in the market with over 400 locations in the US and a fleet comprising 250,000 freight vehicles. The company specializes in full-service logistics operations and has warehouses exceeding 50 million square feet.

Along with rental and maintenance, it also offers direct sales and leasing. You can opt for a variety of vans, trucks, reefers, and trailers. Plus, Ryder offers a quick onboarding process, meaning you can get started in less than a day if you meet its requirements – a valid driver’s license, photo ID, etc.

Overall, Ryder is an excellent choice for drivers still finding their way into the industry. It allows them to choose from a wide range of vehicles so they can decide which one best suits their preferences.

10. PAM Transport

• Year Established: 1980
• Headquarters: Tontitown, Arkansas
• Brands: Prostar, Peterbilt & Freightliner
• Types: Sleeper Trucks, Day Cab Trucks
• Condition: Used
• Website: Link

PAM Transport is the last pick of our most recommended lease-to-own truck companies. It boasts a fleet of 8,000 freight vehicles from brands like Prostar, Freightliner, and Peterbilt.

Moreover, every vehicle is equipped with state-of-the-art logistics solutions, such as electronic logging devices, cabin email service, air-ride cabs, and satellite communication equipment.

As far as leasing goes, the company offers several lease-purchase programs based on your budget. For instance, you can opt for cheaper trucks (2018 models) to get started. However, newer models (2019-2022) cost more.

The key benefit of opting for PAM Transport is its option to buy the freight vehicle in only two years. Moreover, if you’re an experienced driver, you can earn more money by training and mentoring new drivers.

The company also caters to beginners by offering CDL training and post-training completion jobs. In the last decade alone, it has introduced nearly 15,000 new drivers into the US trucking market.