OTR CDL-A Dedicated Dry Van

CDL-A Dedicated OTR Dry Van Truck Driver — Laredo, TX

Hiring Area: Laredo, Texas • Terminal: Laredo, TX

OTR Solo Driver 10–14 Days Out 2021–2025 Tractors

Run dedicated dry van freight from Laredo to established distribution and manufacturing markets across Texas, the Midwest and the Southeast. Earn $1,550–$1,900 gross per week at $0.60–$0.65 per paid practical mile, with 2,500–2,900 paid miles in a typical full week. Plan on 10–14 days on the road followed by 2–3 days at home.

Weekly Gross Pay
$1,550–$1,900
Typical Annualized Gross: About $91,000
Mileage Rate $0.60–$0.65 / paid mile
Paid Miles 2,500–2,900 / typical week
Home Time 2–3 days after 10–14 days out
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,500, staged
Freight Palletized dry van, mostly no-touch

Job Status: Currently Hiring • Last Verified: October 9, 2026

Position Overview

This solo OTR position serves recurring customer accounts originating in the Laredo freight market. Loads and return destinations vary with customer appointments, trailer availability and reload demand.

  • Haul palletized retail, packaged consumer goods and general manufactured freight.
  • Run multi-state routes with a typical 10–14 day dispatch cycle.
  • Complete 2,500–2,900 paid miles in a typical full working week.
  • Handle primarily no-touch freight, with drop-and-hook at participating facilities.
  • Verify trailer condition, seal, bills of lading and delivery paperwork.
  • Report delays, detention, equipment defects and HOS concerns to dispatch.
  • Coordinate return routing and home-time plans with the operations team.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Drivers earn $0.60–$0.65 per paid practical mile. Weekly gross depends on dispatched miles, completed loads and qualifying accessorial pay. At 2,700 paid miles, mileage earnings equal approximately $1,620–$1,755 before additional pay. The posted weekly range allows for variation in mileage and qualifying extras; the upper end is not guaranteed every week. Annualized figures exclude bonuses and assume 52 paid weeks.

Weekly Gross Range $1,550–$1,900
Typical Weekly Gross About $1,750
Annualized at Typical Pay $91,000
Mileage Pay $0.60–$0.65 per paid practical mile
Detention $25/hour after 2 qualifying hours
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,500, paid in stages
Pay Schedule Weekly direct deposit

Detention requires documented arrival and release times and approval under the customer and carrier pay policy. The sign-on bonus is separate from weekly earnings and is subject to the applicable eligibility and retention terms.

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Dispatch Cycle 10–14 days out
Home Time Usually 2–3 days between cycles
Typical Weekly Miles 2,500–2,900 paid miles
Primary Corridors I-35, I-10, I-20, I-40, I-44 and I-55
Dispatch Planning Loads and appointments coordinated in advance when available

Home time is scheduled around the driver's location, delivery commitments and the next dispatch cycle. Traffic, weather, customer delays and freight demand can affect arrival dates.

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Tractor Fleet Freightliner Cascadia and Volvo VNL
Model Years Mixed fleet, primarily 2021–2025
Transmission Automated on most assigned units
Sleeper Setup Standard sleeper cab, air-ride seat and storage
Trailer 53-foot dry van
Truck Assignment Assigned when fleet availability allows

Equipment is maintained through scheduled inspections and repairs. Depending on the tractor, safety features may include adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and collision mitigation. Trucks use electronic logging devices and required inspection reporting tools. Some units have an APU or additional sleeper amenities; features vary by truck. Temporary tractor changes may be necessary for maintenance or availability.

Representative Freight Routes

Loads originate in the Laredo cross-border distribution market and connect with domestic warehouses, retail distribution centers and manufacturing customers. These are representative operating lanes, not guaranteed weekly assignments.

  • Laredo, TX → Dallas, TX: I-35, North Texas distribution and regional reloads.
  • Laredo, TX → Oklahoma City, OK: I-35, packaged goods and distribution freight.
  • Laredo, TX → Kansas City, MO: I-35 and connecting interstate routes serving Midwest customers.
  • Laredo, TX → Memphis, TN: I-35, I-40 and connecting routes for retail and consumer goods.
  • Laredo, TX → Atlanta, GA: I-35 and I-20, Southeast distribution freight.
  • Laredo, TX → Phoenix, AZ: I-35 and I-10, Southwest warehouse and industrial deliveries.
  • Dallas, TX → Laredo, TX: I-35, potential southbound reloads subject to customer demand.
  • Phoenix, AZ → Ontario, CA: I-10, Inland Empire distribution and consumer freight when available.

Actual routing depends on customer locations, delivery appointments, available backhauls and legal driving hours. Dispatch may assign a different return destination instead of sending the driver directly back to Laredo.

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • Complete pre-trip inspection and verify the trailer number, seal and shipping paperwork.
  • Depart Laredo for the first scheduled delivery or distribution center.
  • Follow dispatch instructions for appointments, fuel planning and the next available load.
  • Use drop-and-hook when a loaded trailer is available; complete live loading or unloading where required.
  • Record arrival, check-in, dock and release times when detention may apply.
  • Submit proof of delivery and report equipment issues or delays promptly.
  • Plan the return leg and required rest periods around the scheduled home-time window.

About the Carrier

A mid-sized regional trucking operation serving dedicated dry van customers from South Texas. The business combines recurring customer freight with selected reloads to keep trucks moving between distribution markets. Dispatchers coordinate appointments, route planning, equipment availability and return freight while accounting for driver hours-of-service limits. The fleet includes a practical mix of late-model and older maintained tractors, with equipment assigned according to availability, maintenance schedules and operational needs. Workload and mileage can vary with customer demand, seasonal shipping patterns and backhaul opportunities.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Health Benefits Medical, dental and vision plan options
Retirement 401(k) plan, subject to eligibility and plan terms
Paid Orientation Available for qualifying new hires
Referral Program Referral pay subject to current program rules
Vacation Paid time off according to tenure and company policy
Rider / Pet Subject to approval and company policy

Benefit availability, employee contributions, eligibility dates and plan details are confirmed during hiring.

CDL-A Driver Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL and authorization to work in the United States.
  • At least 12 months of recent verifiable tractor-trailer experience preferred.
  • Recent sleeper and OTR experience strongly preferred.
  • Acceptable motor vehicle record and safety history under carrier hiring standards.
  • Current DOT medical qualification and required FMCSA Clearinghouse status.
  • Ability to follow hours-of-service rules and complete electronic logs and inspections.
  • Ability to work independently and remain on the road for 10–14 days per cycle.

HazMat and tanker endorsements are not required for this dry van position. Final qualification depends on applicable regulations, driving history and company hiring standards.

Operational Delays & Road Conditions

  • Cross-border freight surges and warehouse queues in the Laredo area.
  • Heavy commercial traffic and construction along I-35 through South and Central Texas.
  • Congestion around Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, Memphis, Atlanta and Chicago.
  • Customer appointment changes, dock queues and occasional live-load delays.
  • Limited truck parking near major freight markets late in the day.
  • Severe weather, road closures and seasonal traffic affecting transit times.

Drivers should report delays early so dispatch can adjust appointments and routing without compromising hours-of-service compliance.

Hiring Process

1
Apply Online
Submit CDL details and recent work history.
2
Recruiter Call
Review pay, routes, experience and home time.
3
Safety Review
Complete required driving and employment checks.
4
Orientation
Complete onboarding and equipment assignment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does this CDL-A OTR job pay weekly? ▼
The advertised range is $1,550–$1,900 gross per week. Actual earnings depend on paid miles, mileage rate and qualifying additional pay.
Q: What is the mileage rate? ▼
The mileage rate is $0.60–$0.65 per paid practical mile. A week with 2,700 paid miles produces approximately $1,620–$1,755 in mileage pay before qualifying accessorials.
Q: How often do drivers get home? ▼
The normal schedule is 10–14 days on the road followed by 2–3 days at home. Actual arrival depends on freight, traffic and appointment schedules.
Q: Is the freight dedicated or spot-market freight? ▼
The position primarily serves recurring customer accounts. Loads, destinations and reloads can change within the operating network based on customer demand and freight availability.
Q: Is the job mostly no-touch freight? ▼
Most loads are palletized dry van freight with no driver unloading. Drop-and-hook is available at participating facilities, while some customers require live loading or unloading.
Q: What trucks are used for this position? ▼
The fleet includes Freightliner Cascadia and Volvo VNL sleeper tractors, primarily from model years 2021–2025. Truck assignments depend on availability and maintenance requirements.
Q: Is a HazMat endorsement required? ▼
No. This is a general freight dry van position and does not require a HazMat or tanker endorsement.
Q: How does detention pay work? ▼
Eligible detention pays $25 per hour after two qualifying hours, subject to the applicable policy and approval. Drivers should document arrival, appointment, check-in, dock and release times.
Q: How much is the sign-on bonus? ▼
The advertised sign-on bonus is up to $1,500, paid in stages under the applicable retention and eligibility requirements. It is separate from weekly gross pay.
Q: Does every route start and end in Laredo? ▼
Laredo is the operating terminal, but individual cycles may include deliveries and reloads in other states. Dispatch coordinates return freight and routing according to customer commitments and the planned home-time window.

CDL-A Truck Driver Job Market — Laredo, TX

Laredo is a major U.S.–Mexico freight gateway, supporting a broad range of CDL-A jobs in long-haul trucking, regional distribution, intermodal transportation, refrigerated freight and cross-border logistics. Dedicated dry van positions appeal to experienced drivers who prefer recurring customer networks over dispatch based entirely on individual spot-market loads. Competition comes from national carriers, Texas-based fleets, logistics contractors and operators serving the industrial corridors around San Antonio and Dallas–Fort Worth. Pay packages vary considerably by mileage, home-time commitments, equipment, freight type and driver experience. For solo OTR drivers, a useful comparison includes the paid-mile rate, realistic weekly mileage, accessorial policies and the time spent away from home. A posted weekly maximum should not be treated as guaranteed income. Laredo-based drivers should also consider border-related warehouse congestion, appointment delays and the availability of northbound and return freight when evaluating an offer.

Laredo, Texas Freight & Transportation Market

Laredo's freight economy is shaped by international trade, customs processing, warehousing, manufacturing supply chains and domestic distribution. Interstate 35 is the primary northbound truck corridor through San Antonio toward Austin and Dallas–Fort Worth, with connections to Oklahoma and the central United States. Interstate 10 supports westbound freight toward El Paso, Phoenix and Southern California, while I-20 and I-40 connect Texas freight flows with the Southeast and other inland markets. Common dry van commodities include packaged consumer goods, retail inventory, automotive parts, industrial supplies and other palletized manufactured products. Freight patterns change with customer production schedules, retail replenishment and seasonal shipping demand. Border-crossing volumes can create queues and uneven warehouse arrival patterns, while major distribution centers may require scheduled appointments and specific trailer or seal documentation. Dedicated operators use recurring customer demand alongside suitable backhauls to reduce empty repositioning, although a loaded return trip is not guaranteed on every cycle.

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