South East Carriers, Inc.

0. Company Stats

Industry: Trucking & Freight Transportation

Founded: 1986

Size: 275+ employees

Location: Lawrenceburg, TN

Stage: Established

Stock Symbol: N/A

Work Style: Onsite

1. Company Snapshot

South East Carriers, Inc. is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, hauling freight across the U.S. since 1986. Founded by brothers Joe and Paul Gobble and now led by second-generation owners, the company runs a fleet of over 225 tractors and 525 dry vans offering over-the-road, regional, local, and spotting services. With satellite terminals in Texas, Michigan, Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee, South East Carriers serves customers coast to coast with a personal, relationship-driven approach. The company is part of a broader family of businesses that includes Living Stone Freight Solutions (warehousing and material handling) and Gobble Properties (commercial real estate), giving it over 2.5 million square feet of warehouse capacity to complement its trucking operations.

2. Culture & Gen Z Alignment

Family Business, Not Corporate Machine

South East Carriers has been family-owned for nearly 40 years and is now run by second-generation owners who grew up in the business. Leadership knows employees by name, not truck number, and the company deliberately keeps that small-business feel even as it has scaled to hundreds of drivers and dozens of office staff. For Gen Z workers who want to feel like a person rather than a headcount, this environment stands out.

Stability with Room to Grow

Because South East Carriers operates across multiple business lines (trucking, warehousing, and commercial property), there are pathways beyond just driving. Office, dispatch, safety, HR, accounting, and IT roles all exist under one roof, and several current team members have tenures of 10 to 35 years, which signals that people who fit the culture tend to stay.

No-Nonsense Entry Point into Logistics

For Gen Z workers interested in getting into the transportation and logistics industry, South East Carriers offers a clear, fast on-ramp. Orientation can begin within a week of applying, and the company provides a structured onboarding process through its safety department, including an online orientation option for out-of-state locations.

3. What Employees Say

Company Ratings

Indeed: 3.6/5

Pros:

- Home Time & Flexibility: Many drivers highlight that South East Carriers works with personal schedules and family needs, which is especially meaningful for OTR drivers.

- People Know Your Name: Reviewers consistently mention feeling recognized as individuals rather than just truck numbers, a cultural point the company actively promotes.

- Consistent Miles: Drivers report reliable load availability, with some earning in the range of $1,300 to $1,577 per week depending on route and experience.

Cons:

- Pay Relative to Market: Some drivers and allied health staff note that starting pay and insurance costs do not always keep pace with larger carriers in the region.

- Equipment Concerns: A number of reviews mention maintenance issues or dissatisfaction with the truck brand (International trucks are commonly cited), and some drivers feel mechanical complaints are not always addressed quickly.

- OTR Home Time Can Be Long: Drivers on over-the-road routes have noted being away from home for three to four weeks at a stretch, which is a real trade-off for those with families.

4. Compensation & Benefits Snapshot

- Starting base pay for drivers is 50 cents per mile with no stated cap

- Driver weekly earnings reported between approximately $800 and $1,577 depending on miles and route

- Company-paid life insurance policy included for all employees

- Individual and family health insurance options available (employees note premiums can be on the higher side)

- Direct deposit available; drivers should bring bank account info to orientation

- Dispatch office hours run 6:00 AM to midnight, providing strong operational support around the clock

5. Why Gen Z Might Thrive Here

- Fast Entry into the Industry: Orientation typically starts within 3 to 5 days of applying online, so the path from application to paycheck is short compared to larger carriers.

- Real Autonomy on the Road: Multiple reviewers highlight that drivers are trusted to do their jobs without being micromanaged, which suits self-directed workers well.

- Relationship-Driven Workplace: This is not a company where you are a number. Leadership is accessible and employees across departments report genuine camaraderie.

- Multi-Business Exposure: Working within an ecosystem that includes trucking, warehousing, and commercial real estate gives motivated employees a broader view of logistics and business operations.

- Longevity Signals Trust: Staff members with 7, 10, 29, 32, and 35 years of tenure work side by side at this company, which tells you something about how people feel once they settle in.

6. What Gen Z Should Ask Or Consider

- What routes or lanes would I be assigned to, and what does a typical home-time schedule look like for that run?

- What is the current condition of the truck I would be assigned, and what is the process for flagging maintenance issues?

- How does pay per mile translate to realistic weekly earnings based on available loads right now?

- Are there opportunities to move into dispatch, safety, HR, or other office roles over time?

- What does the health insurance actually cost out of pocket, and what does the coverage include?

7. Locations & Where South East Carriers Hires

- Home terminal in Lawrenceburg, TN (headquarters and main shop)

- Satellite terminals in Wills Point, TX; Cadillac, MI; Jacksonville, FL; Jackson, AL; and Counce, TN

- Online orientation available for candidates joining at Michigan, Texas, and Florida locations

- Operates throughout the Southern U.S. with routes spanning the broader continental U.S.

8. How South East Carriers Works

Work Style

Available: Onsite

Work Environment

Available: In Field

Benefits

All South East Carriers employees receive a company-paid life insurance policy, with individual and family health insurance options also available. Drivers start at 50 cents per mile with no current cap, receive direct deposit, and are supported by a dispatch team available from 6:00 AM to midnight. The company maintains a fleet within a five-year age target and runs Samsara ELD technology across all trucks.

11. Sources

Last Updated: March 30, 2026

- South East Carriers Official Website: https://www.southeastcarriers.com

- About Page: https://www.southeastcarriers.com/about

- Services Page: https://www.southeastcarriers.com/services

- Q&A Page: https://www.southeastcarriers.com/q-a

- TruckersReport Reviews: https://www.thetruckersreport.com/co/south-east-carriers.349/reviews

- Lanefinder Profile: https://www.lanefinder.com/c/south_east_carriers_inc/272134

- CarrierSource Profile: https://www.carriersource.io/carriers/south-east-carriers-inc