Local Flatbed Position Home Daily

CDL-A Building Materials Local Flatbed Driver

Hiring Area: Minneapolis–St. Paul Metro • Terminal: Minneapolis-area

Minneapolis, MN Local Flatbed 2020–2025 Day Cabs

Haul building materials on flatbed equipment across Twin Cities supplier yards and construction sites. Weekly gross $1,500–$1,850, typical annual around $88,400, home every day.

Weekly Gross Range
$1,500–$1,850
Estimated Annual: $88,400
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,500
Home Time Every Day
Driver Type Local Flatbed
Weekly Miles 900–1,400
Freight Type Building Materials

Position Overview

Open-deck work moves dimensional lumber, engineered wood, roofing, insulation, drywall products, steel components and other construction supplies from Twin Cities yards to commercial sites, contractor locations and residential developments.

  • Performs full pre-trip and post-trip inspections on tractor and flatbed.
  • Secures cargo with straps, chains, binders and edge protection as required.
  • Coordinates live loading and unloading with yard and job-site personnel.
  • Completes BOL, delivery receipts and any damage notations on site.
  • Communicates delays, equipment problems or unsafe conditions to dispatch.
  • Maintains accurate ELD records and stays within available HOS.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Weekly gross typically runs $1,500–$1,850 depending on hours worked, overtime, load activity and qualifying accessorial pay. A representative 48-hour week at $31.50/hour plus 8 hours of overtime and approximately $60 in flatbed activity pay is about $1,700 gross.

Weekly Gross Range $1,500–$1,850
Typical Weekly Gross $1,700
Estimated Annual Gross $88,400
Base Hourly Rate $31.50
Overtime Rate $47.25 after 40 hours
Flatbed Activity Pay Approx. $60/week on qualifying securement, tarp or additional load activity
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,500 ($500 at 30/90/180 days)
Pay Frequency Weekly direct deposit
Detention Documented per company policy when applicable

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Home Time Every day
Typical Schedule Monday–Friday with occasional Saturday during peak construction
Primary Operating Radius Approximately 75–150 miles from the Twin Cities
Weekly Miles 900–1,400
Dispatch Window Generally 5:00–7:00 AM
Typical Start 5:00–6:30 AM

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Tractors Freightliner Cascadia day cabs (2021–2025) and Kenworth T680 day cabs (2020–2024)
Transmission Automatic
Trailers 48–53 ft flatbeds, approximately 2019–2025
Securement Equipment Winches, straps, chains, binders, edge protectors, tarp systems, coil racks, headache racks, dunnage
Cab Systems ELD, GPS/telematics, forward-facing camera, collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise on newer units
Tractor Assignment Mix of assigned and slip-seat; consistent drivers usually keep the same tractor

Drivers inspect all securement gear before leaving the yard and report any worn or damaged items. Maintenance is handled by company facilities and approved outside vendors; drivers perform only required safety inspections and basic troubleshooting.

Real Routes

Most loads stay inside the primary radius and move between Twin Cities supplier yards and active construction or contractor locations. Longer runs occur only when freight planning requires them.

  • Minneapolis to Rochester via I-35 with commercial building materials.
  • Minneapolis to St. Cloud northwest on the I-94 corridor.
  • Minneapolis to Eau Claire, WI eastbound on I-94.
  • Minneapolis to Mankato south via US-169.
  • Minneapolis to Duluth on selected assignments via I-35.
  • St. Paul to Hudson, WI and New Richmond, WI short east runs.
  • Multi-stop metro loops such as Plymouth–Maple Grove–Shakopee or Woodbury–Hudson return.

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • First load assignment and appointment window arrive before the shift begins.
  • Driver positions the empty or pre-loaded flatbed at the supplier for live loading.
  • After securement, the first delivery is usually 45–90 minutes away.
  • Unloading is coordinated with the site superintendent or material handler.
  • Second and third moves are assigned based on remaining hours and available freight.
  • Tractor returns to the terminal or designated yard at the end of the day.
  • Busy days commonly include 3–6 customer stops depending on load size and site readiness.

About the Carrier

This regional carrier operates a dedicated building-material flatbed account from the Twin Cities, moving construction products from supplier yards to commercial projects, contractor locations and residential developments. Drivers work primarily within Minnesota and western Wisconsin, with short-haul assignments designed around same-day delivery and return. Dispatch coordinates supplier appointments, securement requirements and job-site access while allowing drivers to remain within their available HOS. The operation is built around steady local volume rather than long-haul mileage, making it a fit for drivers who want flatbed work without extended time away from home.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Medical / Dental / Vision Options available for eligible full-time employees
401(k) Company match subject to plan terms
Paid Time Off Accrued according to tenure
Paid Holidays Per company policy
Orientation & Training Paid orientation and account-specific flatbed securement training
Securement Support Company-supplied chains, straps, tarps, edge protection and replacement of worn gear
Additional Terminal parking, roadside assistance coordination, DOT physical support, required PPE

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL
  • 6–12 months CDL-A experience preferred; previous flatbed or construction-material experience preferred
  • Acceptable MVR with no recent serious moving violations
  • Valid DOT medical card; must pass company drug/alcohol screening and FMCSA Clearinghouse query
  • Ability to safely climb onto and around the trailer and repeatedly handle securement equipment during the workday
  • Ability to lift and handle securement equipment and work outdoors in changing weather conditions
  • No HazMat endorsement required for the standard building-material account

Operational Delays

  • Morning congestion on I-94, I-35W, I-494 and I-694 can compress later appointment windows.
  • Job sites often wait for forklift, crane or superintendent availability before unloading begins.
  • Supplier yards become congested during spring and summer construction peaks.
  • Snow, ice and frozen straps slow both loading and site access in winter.
  • Lane closures and temporary work zones appear frequently during construction season.

Hiring Process

1
Initial Contact
Recruiter call within one business day
2
Verification
CDL, MVR, employment and safety history
3
Screening
DOT drug test, Clearinghouse, securement orientation
4
Start
Formal offer, paid orientation, first dispatch

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How often will I have to tarp? ▼
Tarping is load-dependent rather than required on every load. Drivers should expect regular securement work and occasional tarp work when the commodity and customer requirements call for it.
Q: Is drop-and-hook common on this account? ▼
Most moves are live load and live unload. Some customers keep dedicated trailers, but they are the exception.
Q: What if a job site is not ready when I arrive? ▼
Dispatch resequences the remaining stops or adjusts the day to protect HOS while arranging a new delivery window.
Q: Can recent CDL graduates apply? ▼
Recent CDL graduates may be considered only when they have strong commercial driving fundamentals and can complete the carrier’s additional flatbed securement training.
Q: Where do I park overnight? ▼
Tractors return to the Minneapolis-area terminal or an approved drop yard. Customer property is not used for overnight parking without prior approval.
Q: Does the work slow down in winter? ▼
Outdoor residential sites slow, but commercial projects, warehouse replenishment and weatherization freight continue through the colder months.

CDL Job Market

The Twin Cities remain one of the more active CDL-A markets in the Upper Midwest. Local dry-van, LTL, dedicated, foodservice, intermodal and flatbed accounts all post openings throughout the year. Open-deck building-material work is a smaller segment because it demands securement skill and comfort working around active construction sites. National carriers, regional fleets, private supplier fleets and dedicated accounts compete for the same experienced drivers. Home-daily schedules continue to attract applicants who prefer predictable local work over multi-week OTR runs. Construction peaks raise demand for flatbed operators in the warmer months, while distribution and industrial accounts provide steadier year-round volume. Drivers with clean records and any prior open-deck experience generally move through the hiring process faster than those limited to dry-van backgrounds.

Location & Freight Market

Minneapolis–St. Paul serves as Minnesota’s main distribution and construction hub, feeding building products into southern Minnesota, western Wisconsin and the surrounding Upper Midwest. Supplier yards, commercial projects, residential developments and contractor locations generate steady short-haul demand for open-deck equipment. Corridors such as I-94, I-35, I-494, I-694 and US-169 let carriers reach suburban and regional job sites while staying inside a local operating radius. Construction volume rises sharply in spring and summer, increasing movements of lumber, engineered wood, roofing and related materials. Winter shifts emphasis toward indoor commercial work, warehouse replenishment and weatherization products. Public-works and private commercial building continue year-round, keeping a baseline of material movement even when outdoor residential sites slow. The combination of metropolitan population, regional manufacturing and ongoing construction supports consistent demand for flatbed capacity.

Start Your Application