Abilene Motor Express is a reliable company with a good vibe, but not perfect. It’s a solid choice for getting started—less ideal if a driver is chasing top dollar or high‑end perks. A lot of the criticism revolves around abilene motor express pay, especially the low base CPM for experienced solo drivers, along with variability in miles, communication gaps, safety/camera micromanagement, and culture changes since becoming part of Knight‑Swift. On the positive side, their safety metrics are better than average in out‑of‑service rates and drug/alcohol violations, with only modest crash counts in recent years.
Abilene Motor Express is a solid choice if you’re checking out Abilene Motor Express jobs as a new driver looking to get experience, or as a team wanting consistent high pay. The equipment is comfortable, and they usually get you home when you ask. However, if you’re an experienced solo driver chasing top‑dollar pay and a true “family” atmosphere, the current corporate culture and inconsistent miles might feel frustrating. Some drivers suggest looking at competitors like Matrix Expedited if your main goal is maximizing your weekly paycheck.
We have OTR positions
Yes, We have training program
W2
99% of Freight is No-Touch to the driver
CPM and Hour rates can change depending on the market and fuel prices! For more information, you can Apply, and the company will contact you to discuss details! Thank you for understanding!
Solo OTR Drivers average 2,500-3,000 miles per week
2 weeks otr and few (2-3) days home
CPM and Hour rates can change depending on the market and fuel prices! For more information, you can Apply, and the company will contact you to discuss details! Thank you for understanding!
Team OTR Drivers average 6,000 miles per week
2 weeks otr and few (2-3) days home
We have 334 Power units
PrePass equipped
Fleet speed set at 68mph
For experienced drivers
For student drivers
Abilene Motor Express (AME) is a mid-sized Virginia-based truckload carrier founded in 1986. The company was acquired by Knight-Swift Transportation in March 2018 and currently operates with approximately 334 power units throughout the continental U.S.. While it historically had a strong reputation for having a "family feel" and top-notch equipment, recent reviews indicate a significant decline in driver satisfaction following the acquisition, citing issues with communication, maintenance, and pay/miles. Prospective drivers should note that the company’s current operational reality may differ significantly from its pre-2018 reputation.
All information and pictures we took from original company resources; here are all the backlinks! Reference Information
Before you will go to a Company be sure, it's a good company for you
with good Safety Rating & OOS Rates by FMCSA
BASIC STATUS (Public information) Behavior Analysis & Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs)
A total of 46 reviews
Here we found more important reviews from other resources!
Me and all my children were at a red light in downtown Jacksonville fl , when this driver was trying to make a sharp left turn onto my street… he SMIRKED at me seeing that i was scared and continued to make the sharp turn and doing so FAST not cautiously and forcing me to put my car in reverse and mash the gas going backwards or we would have been demolished. SO INCONSIDERATE FOR OTHER LIVES ON THE ROAD!!!!! HE IS GOING TO KILL SOMEBODY OR AN ENTIRE FAMILY
Truly it’s hard to even explain this one. This driver intentionally blocked an extra parking space at a Loves(Providence Forge,Va). We all get tired but this, is just a poor excuse for a trucker 7/16/25 @7am. With the trailer number the company can figure out who the driver is.
One of their drivers just cut me off missing my front bumper by mere inches. If this is the type of drivers they hire they aren't going to be around long, they're are going to seriously hurt or kill someone.
Abilenes transportation options are ridiculous, flight or have a driver come pick you up, so basically show up with none of your things and get dispatched until your dispatcher decided to get you home. Trish acts like a petulant child. I'll be adding more scree shots of the childish interactions with here in the future.
They only care about the drivers that don’t care and don’t do their jobs and leave their drivers that care and take pride in what they do!
Drivers are ignorant and think they can drive however they want. Put his left turn signal on to get in the let lane when I was already next to him and because I didn’t slow down on a 55 mph road to let him over and continued to pass him he decided to flip me off. So unprofessional. Maybe don’t drive like that in a company vehicle with your truck number on the back
Manager don’t answer phone and just don’t care
Was cut off by two separate drivers today, one had the nerve to call my boss and report me for bad driving for passing them when I had the opportunity so as to not get cut off again. Your drivers need to be more considerate of other motorists.
Drivers act like they own the road. Won't move over, even though there is no one next to them and you are trying to merge onto the highway with a heavy wrecker towing another tractor trailer combination. Almost ran me into a guard rail..
A great place to park overnight in the first yard as you enter the first yard section, on your immediate right, there's permission for truckers with appointments to deliver at the PepsiCo dist. facility across the RR tracks as you make a left out of Abilene... This lookout is for truckers only! 🛣️🤫
One of your drivers on 270S near Washington D.C. around 06:20 needs to be re-educated in driving etiquette. While driving, he turned to look at me and flipped me off without provocation. If drivers don't look out for fellow drivers, who will? The guy was on 495, heading towards 95S as of 06:45.
The most important thing is that I can spend time with the family when I need it. Thanks
Their courteous and attentive drivers make the experience smooth
Amazing training programs and driver feedback systems have helped me improve my skills and become a better driver
I was blown away by the benefits package offered. Jesus, you won't find better right now than they're
If you're serious, call them, cause they'll give you real deal
Though I originally completed my schooling and obtainment of CDL through KLLM, ABILENE was my true starting company. I chose this company because it was in my home state of Virginia. Abilene’s starting pay for brand new truckers is modest, considering it’s a smaller company I thought that was acceptable. This company is great to work for. It’s easy to get to know the people in the office as long as you are patient and respectful they will return the favor to you. One of the best things about Abilene is their flexibility in giving you home time. They will give you as much home time as you need. Alternatively, if you keep running and accepting loads- even difficult ones- they will send you wherever you are trying to run (if there is a certain state you want to check out). I was a solo trucker and managed to get everywhere in the lower 48 except for Maine, hardly any freight goes in or out of that state. They pay based on experience which makes sense. I loved working for Abilene, I would highly recommend for truckers who are team drivers OR need certain days off and can rest assured they will get those days off. This company helped make my goal of seeing every state a reality and for that I love them.
Driver for this company has a refrigerator trailer they drop off on the weekends and runs continuously even throughout the night right next to several residence homes and it vibrates the walls of the homes making sleeping very uncomfortable. With several options around us for a refrigerator truck to park at for extended periods they choose this lot very obvious next to homes and has been informed of the discomfort and inconvenience but continues to idle truck when people are sleeping and doesn't answer calls now. Unprofessional and disrespectful!
Return a lease trailer and they took the time to work with me and treated me with much respect Mel Lynn is a old friend and he has great business sense
They don't listen to their voicemails. I got a recruiter on the phone once and told them I would give them a call back but after that call I haven't been able to get anybody on the phone for the past three months.
Love this place customer service is the best! They treat the employees great!
Trucker takes unnecessary risks DOT 335555 CA License plate CA 1766 TRUCK # 21099. Trailer #7667 I have photos
New management, I’m extremely picky and I have to problems so far
I watched your driver 7939 license plate BK-3564 weaving through traffic, right on people's bumpers, and literally running people off the road. Absolutely insane they should be fired on the spot and never drive a truck again
This may be a nice place to work as a driver but not at all in the office. No training, no work, no clocking in so of course my checks we’re screwed not to mention they forgot to pay me for a week. No wonder they are short staffed and everyone quits. The pay would have been great if you could see it on your check.
This company wants to be good but is the worst! They lie constantly and think they are good at their lies! Spoon feed drivers and they play allot of favoritism here! Hang around the shop enough and you will hear all of what I’m saying! Lease purchase is a joke 760 a week and you have no vacation! If you take vacation you will just go in the hole! I have mental health issues I’m willing to admit that but they don’t help because they don’t care about drivers at all! 1st trucking company i have worked for that has code locks on the office doors! So no open door policy! I want to move to NC terminal so i can start my life in North Carolina and was constantly lie to just to keep me from moving! So they rather have a driver quit then let them move to another terminal so he can start his life in another state!
I am a driver for Abilene. So far my experience with to his company has been great! Nice friendly people and great respect.
Love working for them my only regret was not staying with them back in 2012 but i stayed in touch still know most people there in the office and shop and a few drivers that's been there P.S leaving in 2012 was not by choice leaving that one at that
Good place to go for training to get your CDL's
This company wants to be good but is the worst! They lie constantly and think they are good at their lies! Spoon feed drivers and they play allot of favoritism here! Hang around the shop enough and you will hear all of what I’m saying! Lease purchase is a joke 760 a week and you have no vacation! If you take vacation you will just go in the hole! I have mental health issues I’m willing to admit that but they don’t help because they don’t care about drivers at all! 1st trucking company i have worked for that has code locks on the office doors! So no open door policy! I want to move to NC terminal so i can start my life in North Carolina and was constantly lie to just to keep me from moving! So they rather have a driver quit then let them move to another terminal so he can start his life in another state!
A great place to work and to do business with as well. Great people and great atmosphere there. Check them out you guys.
I was hired by this company. After a month of training, I was told that I had to train for another week. It was the weekend and I had to stay in a hotel. They did not support me and I was waiting in the yard with my belongings. Getting a plane ticket for myself and returning to my hometown was a very bad experience
Excellent employer! They exceed expectations to meet your needs. However, the salary should be adjusted to keep up with the rising cost of living.
Firstly, I adore Abilene. Their training prepared me perfectly for this career, and they only let me work independently when I was fully ready. They offer great mileage, excellent equipment, and a supportive home office. While their pay per mile isn't the highest in the industry, the company's overall support and problem-solving approach make up for it. It's a fantastic company, and I'd likely haul freight for them again.
I logged many miles during my time there. However, my family needs me at home, and I couldn't sacrifice more time away. Overall, it's a great company to drive for.
Identify the dispatchers who have been there a while and try to work with them instead of the constantly changing new dispatchers. This way, you'll get all the miles you want.
Enjoyable job, but I disliked the switch from salary to mileage pay. I went through a 3-4 month period without income due to sickness, and the company had a clause stating that if the condition was pre-existing (seen in the previous 6 months to a year), the disability insurance wouldn't pay. Thus, I had no income and fell behind on bills. If not for this and the salary change, I'd still be part of the team. I did well on salary and initially on mileage, but they removed empty miles going home and holiday pay. My take-home pay dropped from $980 weekly on salary to no more than $400-$600. If they made necessary changes, I'd gladly return. However, to make decent money, you have to go regional or over-the-road, which wasn't what I wanted. I chose to stay short-haul. Maybe hourly pay would improve things. Honestly, I have nothing bad to say other than the pay; everything else was great. They allowed me to return to short-haul work, but the money wasn't there like when I started, making $250 a day.
What is the best part of working at the company? Top-of-the-line trucks What is the most stressful part about working at the company? Time spent over the road, up to 3 weeks at a time What is the work environment and culture like at the company? Wonderful in Richmond, VA, but awful at the West Memphis terminal What is a typical day like for you at the company? Driving, loading and unloading, and conducting pre and post-trip inspections
Abilene was the second company I worked for in my driving career. From the start, they made me feel valued and not just like a number; they knew me by name.
What is the best part of working at the company? Excellent communication What is the most stressful part about working at the company? Meeting strict appointment times
It's a good place to start your CDL career. I was happy until a management change when I was accused of tampering with equipment and placed on probation. There's high turnover, and many drivers don't care about the job. I liked most of the people there, including some managers.
So far, the job has been decent. Daytime dispatch managers are helpful and great. Trucks cruise at 71 mph. No forced dispatch and very flexible with any schedule.
What is the best part of working at the company? Family-like atmosphere What is the most stressful part about working at the company? Driving in bad weather What is the work environment and culture like at the company? Enjoyable What is a typical day like for you at the company? Always something different
Abilene is a great company for new drivers. You'll get good mileage and the opportunity to build your experience. Dispatch is always available, and the terminals are nice.
Nothing positive to say about the company. Management is poor, there's no communication, no room for growth, no bonuses, and they cancel jobs without explanation.
Just need to increase the pay. Decent place to work, flexible with time off, and lots of freight. However, $.45 per mile is not worth it now!
Good company for those starting in the business. Mostly newer trucks, primarily Volvos, all automatics, so no need to worry about shifting. Pay is not very competitive for experienced drivers. Mostly drop and hook loads.
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