Local CDL-A Position Night Linehaul
Local CDL-A LTL Linehaul Driver – Night Routes
Hiring Area: Southern California • Terminal: San Bernardino, CA
San Bernardino, CA Local / Short-Haul Late-Model Day Cabs
Overnight LTL linehaul hauls palletized freight between Inland Empire terminals and nearby facilities for $1,550–$1,750 weekly with daily home time on Southern California night routes.
Typical Weekly Gross
$1,550–$1,750
Typical Annual Range: $80K–$91K
Sign-On Bonus $1,500
Home Time Home Daily
Driver Type Local Night Linehaul
Typical Route Miles 900–1,400/week
Freight Type Palletized Dry LTL
Drivers support overnight terminal-to-terminal LTL movements across the Inland Empire network, focusing on scheduled linehaul rather than multi-stop daytime P&D.
- Run scheduled overnight LTL linehaul routes between Southern California terminals.
- Hook preloaded dry vans, complete inspections, and verify trailer and seal information.
- Handle primarily drop-and-hook freight with limited live dock work.
- Operate mainly across the Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Orange County, and nearby markets.
- Maintain accurate ELD records and comply with FMCSA HOS and company safety procedures.
- Communicate with dispatch and terminal personnel regarding delays, equipment, or freight issues.
Pay is structured around an hourly LTL linehaul rate, with overtime and applicable premiums based on the carrier's payroll policy.
Base Pay $31–$35/hour
Typical Weekly Gross $1,550–$1,750
Typical Annual Range $80K–$91K
Detention $35/hour after applicable threshold
Sign-On Bonus $1,500 ($500 after 30 days, $500 after 90 days, $500 after 180 days)
Night Differential Additional night premium may apply
Home Time Home daily
Typical Schedule 4–5 nights per week, Sunday–Thursday or Monday–Friday
Typical Shift Evening dispatch starting around 7:00–9:00 PM; return times vary by route and traffic
Operating Area Southern California with Inland Empire focus
Typical Route Miles 900–1,400 per week
Tractors Late-model Freightliner Cascadia and International LT day cabs
Transmission Automated manual, some automatic units
Safety Features Forward-facing dash cameras, collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise on selected units
Trailers 48- and 53-ft dry vans, predominantly swing-door; age varies by terminal and availability
Assignment Assigned when available; slip-seating may occur
Company fuel card, toll equipment, ELD logging, and trailer tracking support daily operations. Maintenance is handled through terminal shop relationships and the company roadside network.
Palletized dry LTL freight moves from Inland Empire distribution centers, cross-docks, and suppliers.
- Packaged consumer goods, retail replenishment, industrial components, and building-related products.
- Non-perishable food, packaging materials, and general commercial freight.
- Core operating area centers on San Bernardino, Fontana, Ontario, Riverside, Los Angeles, and Orange County.
- Primary highway corridors include I-10, I-15, CA-60, I-210, CA-91, I-5, and I-215.
- Occasional longer runs may reach San Diego, Bakersfield, Victorville, or other Southern California terminals based on network demand.
- Terminal pairings adjust with outbound volume, trailer availability, and return freight needs.
- Check in during the evening dispatch window and complete the tractor pre-trip inspection.
- Confirm the assignment, then hook a preloaded trailer or wait briefly for dock rebuild if needed.
- Depart the San Bernardino terminal for the assigned overnight linehaul segment.
- Drop the inbound trailer and exchange equipment at the destination terminal.
- Return to the home terminal, complete post-trip inspection, and clock out.
- Most nights stay drop-and-hook focused, with live terminal activity only when freight is still being built.
About This LTL Operation
This San Bernardino-based LTL operation supports overnight terminal-to-terminal freight movements across the Inland Empire and surrounding Southern California markets. The work is built around scheduled linehaul runs, preloaded dry vans, drop-and-hook activity, and daily return-to-terminal operations. Freight is primarily palletized commercial and industrial cargo moving between distribution centers, terminals, and regional customers. Night scheduling helps keep freight circulating while reducing exposure to peak daytime traffic, though construction and incidents can still affect timing. The focus remains short-haul capacity that links the dense warehouse network without long-haul sleeper cycles.
Health Coverage Medical, dental, and vision with employee contribution options
Retirement 401(k) plan with company match subject to plan rules
Orientation & Training Paid orientation, terminal safety, and coupling/uncoupling refresher
Equipment Support Terminal parking, company ELD, and roadside assistance network
Additional Driver referral program, service recognition, and paid DOT physical renewal
- Valid Class A CDL and current DOT medical qualification
- 6–12 months CDL-A experience preferred; recent graduates considered selectively
- Acceptable MVR and safety history; ability to pass pre-employment drug screen and Clearinghouse query
- Ability to work scheduled overnight shifts, couple and uncouple trailers, and perform required inspections
- No HazMat or tanker endorsement required for the standard position
- Overnight freeway construction, incidents, and interchange congestion
- Temporary terminal door or staging congestion when multiple units arrive together
- Late inbound trailers that delay outbound rebuilds
- Occasional trailer shortages requiring equipment substitution
- Dock waits of 30–90 minutes when live loading occurs
1
Recruiter Contact
Initial call after application review
2
Record Checks
CDL, MVR, employment history, Clearinghouse
3
Drug Screen
DOT pre-employment screening
4
Orientation
Paid terminal training followed by first night dispatch
Q: How much live dock work should I expect? ▼
Most nights are primarily drop-and-hook, although live dock work can occur when trailers are still being loaded or rebuilt.
Q: Are routes fixed every night? ▼
Pairings are planned in advance but can change based on outbound volume, trailer availability, and priority loads.
Q: Where do drivers park between shifts? ▼
Primary parking is at the San Bernardino-area company terminal. Approved yards are used for temporary exchanges when needed.
Q: What if a sealed trailer has a discrepancy? ▼
Stop the departure process and notify terminal personnel before leaving the yard.
Q: Is weekend coverage required? ▼
Occasional weekend or holiday coverage can occur during higher-volume periods.
Q: How quickly can hiring move forward? ▼
Qualified applicants can generally move through the process once required records and screening are completed.
The Inland Empire remains one of the busiest trucking labor markets in the western United States. National LTL carriers, parcel operators, dedicated fleets, regional dry-van companies, private fleets, drayage firms, and foodservice operations regularly recruit CDL-A drivers near San Bernardino. Overnight linehaul roles compete with daytime local delivery and dedicated distribution positions. Drivers who accept night schedules often value terminal-based work and daily home time. High regional living costs and congestion mean consistent hours and reliable equipment matter for retention. Retail distribution, e-commerce fulfillment, manufacturing suppliers, and warehouse networks generate ongoing freight demand that supports Local, Regional, and Specialized openings year-round.
Distribution centers and warehouse clusters around Fontana, Ontario, Rialto, Bloomington, Redlands, Rancho Cucamonga, and Colton generate steady palletized freight across the eastern Inland Empire. Retail replenishment, packaged consumer goods, industrial parts, building materials, packaging, non-perishable food, and manufacturing shipments create a broad commodity mix rather than reliance on any single sector. Major corridors—I-10, I-15, I-210, CA-60, and I-215—link these facilities to Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and the High Desert. Night movements help keep terminals supplied while avoiding the heaviest daytime congestion, though construction and incidents remain factors. Peak retail and holiday cycles raise trailer volume; quieter warehouse weeks can reduce available hours. The geography favors short-haul terminal networks that keep freight circulating inside Southern California.