Dedicated CDL-A Position Regional Specialized Dry Van
CDL-A Dedicated Regional Dry Van Driver – Aerospace & High-Value Freight | Columbus, OH
Hiring Area: Columbus, OH • Terminal: Columbus-area
Columbus, OH Dedicated Regional 2020–2025 Tractors
Run dedicated regional dry-van loads of aerospace components, precision industrial parts and high-value manufacturing freight from Columbus across Ohio and nearby Midwest states. Earn $1,750–$2,000 weekly gross (typical ~$1,900), with regular home time after 1–2 nights out.
Weekly Gross
$1,750–$2,000
Annualized Typical Gross: ~$98,800
Typical Week ~$1,900
Base Pay $0.74 CPM
Weekly Miles 2,350–2,650
Home Time 1–2 nights out
Sign-On Bonus $1,500
This dedicated account moves time-sensitive, high-value manufacturing and aviation-related freight between Central Ohio production sites, Rickenbacker-area logistics facilities, customer plants and regional distribution points.
- Pick up sealed or secured aerospace and industrial freight from Columbus-area plants and logistics facilities.
- Run scheduled regional deliveries across Ohio and nearby Midwest states.
- Verify trailer condition, seals, shipping documents and electronic BOL/POD at pickup and delivery.
- Communicate with dispatch when traffic, dock delays or production changes threaten an appointment.
- Handle mostly no-touch freight with a mix of drop-and-hook and live customer facilities.
- Follow customer security, staging and parking procedures for high-value loads.
Drivers are paid $0.74 per paid mile. A typical week of about 2,500 miles produces $1,850 in mileage pay. Normal qualifying detention and other accessorials commonly bring the weekly gross to around $1,900. The $1,750–$2,000 range reflects ordinary lower-to-strong weeks rather than peak or guaranteed earnings.
Weekly Gross Range $1,750–$2,000
Typical Weekly Gross ~$1,900 (with normal accessorial activity)
Annualized Typical Gross ~$98,800
Base Rate $0.74 per paid mile
Detention $25/hour after 2 qualifying hours
Sign-On Bonus $1,500 ($500 after 30 / 90 / 180 days)
Pay Frequency Weekly direct deposit
Home Time Typically 1–2 nights out with regular Columbus-area returns
Operating Area Ohio and surrounding Midwest states (IN, MI, PA, KY, IL)
Operating Radius Primarily 250–500 miles from Columbus
Weekly Mileage 2,350–2,650 paid miles (typical ~2,500)
Typical Starts Most dispatches between 5:00 AM and 9:00 AM
Tractor Models Freightliner Cascadia (primarily 2021–2025) and Volvo VNL (primarily 2020–2024)
Transmission Automatic
Cab Type Full sleeper
Safety Features Collision mitigation, lane-departure warning and adaptive cruise on most late-model units
In-Cab Systems ELD, electronic DVIR, GPS/telematics, forward-facing dash cameras
Trailers 53-ft dry vans, mixed 2019–2025 fleet
Assignment Assigned tractors when available; temporary slip-seating only for maintenance
Columbus-area maintenance handles scheduled work and coordinates roadside repairs. Trailer condition is monitored closely because high-value customers can reject equipment with damaged floors, doors, seals or excessive exterior damage.
Loads consist of aerospace components, precision industrial parts, aircraft-related manufacturing materials and other high-value palletized freight that requires controlled handling and accurate documentation. Dispatch adjusts daily sequences around customer production schedules rather than fixed dedicated lanes.
- Columbus, OH → Dayton, OH
- Columbus, OH → Cincinnati, OH
- Columbus, OH → Indianapolis, IN
- Columbus, OH → Detroit, MI
- Columbus, OH → Cleveland, OH
- Columbus, OH → Pittsburgh, PA
- Columbus, OH → Louisville, KY
- Columbus, OH → Chicago, IL
Primary corridors are I-70, I-71, I-75 and I-270. Additional Midwest connections use I-74, I-76, I-77 and I-80/I-90 as needed. Roughly 55–65% of moves are drop-and-hook; the rest are live at manufacturing or specialized facilities.
- Most drivers receive the next load the afternoon before or during the morning dispatch window.
- A common day starts with a Columbus-area pickup and same-day delivery in Dayton or Cincinnati.
- After delivery, dispatch arranges a reload toward Indianapolis, Detroit or another network point.
- Active transit days usually involve 8–10 hours of driving, subject to HOS and appointments.
- A typical week includes 4–6 regional cycles and 1–3 live dock appointments.
- Drivers may finish the week in Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis or another network location depending on the final load.
About the Carrier
Time-sensitive manufacturing and aviation-related freight moving through Central Ohio requires more controlled handling and documentation accuracy than ordinary dry-van work. A mid-sized regional carrier operates this dedicated account to serve that need, linking Columbus-area production facilities and Rickenbacker logistics operations with customer plants across the Midwest. The focus stays on shipment security, appointment reliability and consistent communication rather than maximum volume. This structure supports customers whose production schedules depend on predictable arrival of high-value components and materials.
Medical Medical insurance with employee contribution options
Dental & Vision Dental and vision coverage available
Retirement 401(k) with company match after eligibility period
Orientation Paid orientation
Operational Support Fuel card, EZPass/toll support, terminal parking, roadside assistance, driver lounge access
- Valid Class A CDL
- At least 12 months of verifiable tractor-trailer experience preferred; recent regional dry-van, manufacturing or dedicated experience strongly preferred
- Clean and acceptable MVR/PSP under company standards
- Current DOT medical card and ability to pass DOT drug and alcohol screening
- Ability to use electronic BOL/POD and ELD systems
- Professional communication with dispatch and customer personnel
- Heavy traffic and construction on I-70, I-71 and I-270 can affect appointment timing.
- Manufacturing facilities sometimes hold trucks when production has not released the shipment.
- Rickenbacker-area cargo facilities can become congested during peak periods.
- Winter weather on northern routes toward Cleveland, Detroit or Indianapolis may slow travel.
- High-value loads require secure parking; unattended stops at random locations are not permitted.
1
Recruiter Call
Most qualified applicants hear back within one business day
2
Background & Qualification
CDL verification, MVR/PSP, employment check, Clearinghouse query, drug screen
3
Orientation
One-day paid orientation at the Columbus-area terminal
4
First Dispatch
Scheduled after qualification and orientation based on account and equipment availability
Q: Do I need aerospace experience? ▼
No. Aerospace experience helps but is not required. Strong dedicated dry-van, manufacturing, automotive, expedited or other high-value freight backgrounds are considered.
Q: How much of the work is drop-and-hook? ▼
Approximately 55–65% is drop-and-hook. The rest is live-loaded or live-unloaded at manufacturing plants and specialized warehouses. Drivers normally do not unload individual pieces with a pallet jack.
Q: What if I need to stop overnight with a high-value load? ▼
Loaded trailers are not left unattended at unsecured locations. Dispatch directs drivers to preferred truck stops, customer yards or other approved secure sites.
Q: Will I have an assigned tractor? ▼
Assigned tractors are provided when fleet availability allows. Temporary slip-seating occurs only when a unit is down for maintenance or repair.
Q: Are customer security procedures strict? ▼
Many facilities use controlled gates, visitor check-in, restricted parking or designated staging areas. Drivers follow the specific instructions for each site.
Q: Does freight run on weekends? ▼
Weekend volume is generally lighter than weekdays, although selected production and air-cargo moves continue seven days a week.
Columbus maintains a deep and competitive market for CDL-A drivers. Major distribution, manufacturing, automotive, food, retail, air-cargo and industrial operations create steady demand for both local and regional tractor-trailer drivers. Candidates compete across national fleets, dedicated-contract carriers, private fleets, LTL operations, regional truckload companies and specialized carriers. Ordinary dedicated and regional dry-van positions in the area commonly pay in the $1,700–$2,000 weekly range depending on schedule and account structure. Central Ohio continues to see substantial industrial and logistics development, which keeps competition for experienced drivers with clean records relatively strong, especially for accounts that require higher shipment-control responsibility.
Columbus sits at a natural inland crossroads. I-70 carries the main east-west flow while I-71 connects the city with Cincinnati and Cleveland. Additional corridors link the market to the broader Midwest and Great Lakes manufacturing network. Southeast of downtown, Rickenbacker International Airport functions as a cargo-focused gateway with international air-freight connections and extensive warehouse and distribution development, plus an adjacent intermodal terminal. Central Ohio also supports a real aerospace and advanced-manufacturing supply chain that includes aircraft-parts logistics, avionics-related operations, specialty materials and expanding defense-related production. The mix of interstate access, airport cargo capacity and established production facilities creates ongoing demand for controlled regional dry-van capacity moving high-value components between plants, distribution points and air-cargo hubs.