Crete Carrier Corporation vs Prime Inc.
Both privately held carriers accepting new drivers. Crete runs Kenworths and Peterbilts across three divisions (dry van, reefer via Shaffer, flatbed via Hunt). Prime offers CDL training with reefer, tanker, and flatbed divisions.
Crete Carrier Corporation
- Pay
- $55,000 - $85,000
- Fleet
- 6,000+ trucks
- Rating
- 4/5
Prime Inc.
- Pay
- $50,000 - $80,000+
- Fleet
- 7,000+ trucks (company + independent)
- Rating
- 3.6/5
Head-to-Head Comparison
Pay
Crete Carrier Corporation
Crete pays $55K-$85K across divisions.
Prime Inc.
Prime pays $50K-$80K+ with specialty premiums.
Home Time
Crete Carrier Corporation
Regional and dedicated offer weekly home time.
Prime Inc.
Primarily OTR, 2-3 weeks out.
Benefits
Crete Carrier Corporation
Health, 401(k), PTO, Kenworths and Peterbilts.
Prime Inc.
CDL training, health, 401(k), lease purchase.
Training/Support
Crete Carrier Corporation
Accepts CDL graduates across all divisions.
Prime Inc.
Trains drivers from scratch with paid CDL program.
Equipment/Technology
Crete Carrier Corporation
Late-model Kenworths and Peterbilts.
Prime Inc.
Mix of company and contractor 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.
Crete Carrier Corporation
- Founded
- 1966
- Fleet
- 6,000+ trucks
- Drivers
- 6,500+
- Divisions
- OTR, Regional, Dedicated, Refrigerated, Flatbed
- Experience wanted
- Recent graduates accepted (CDL-A required)
- Strongest states
- Nebraska, Texas and Pennsylvania
Crete Carrier Corporation is one of the largest privately held truckload carriers in the U.S., operating through its Crete Carrier, Shaffer Trucking (temperature-controlled), and Hunt Transportation (flatbed) divisions. Based in Lincoln, NE, Crete is known for driver-friendly policies, modern equipment, and consistent freight that keeps drivers moving.
Only Crete Carrier Corporation is strong in: Nebraska — worth knowing if you want to be domiciled there.
Listed by Crete Carrier Corporation and not by Prime Inc.
- • Paid time off
- • Late-model Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks
- • Driver referral bonuses
Prime Inc.
- Founded
- 1970
- Fleet
- 7,000+ trucks (company + independent)
- Drivers
- 7,500+
- Divisions
- OTR, Regional, Refrigerated, Tanker, Flatbed
- Experience wanted
- No experience required (paid CDL training available)
- Strongest states
- Missouri, Texas and Pennsylvania
Prime Inc. is one of the largest privately held trucking companies in North America, operating refrigerated, tanker, flatbed, and intermodal divisions. Based in Springfield, MO, Prime is known for their extensive CDL training program that produces thousands of new drivers annually.
Only Prime Inc. is strong in: Missouri — worth knowing if you want to be domiciled there.
Listed by Prime Inc. and not by Crete Carrier Corporation
- • Paid CDL training program
- • Rider and pet policy
- • Lease purchase program available
Our Verdict
Crete for better equipment (KW and Peterbilt) and home time. Prime for CDL training from scratch and lease purchase path. Both offer multiple divisions for drivers who want to specialize.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better trucks?
Crete runs Kenworths and Peterbilts. Many drivers strongly prefer these over Prime's Freightliners.
Do both have reefer?
Yes. Crete's Shaffer Trucking division handles reefer. Prime has a large reefer division.
Which offers CDL training?
Prime has a full CDL training program. Crete accepts CDL graduates but doesn't run its own CDL school.