OTR Dry Van Position Solo Company Driver
CDL-A OTR Dry Van Truck Driver — Miami, FL
Hiring Area: Miami-Dade, Broward & Palm Beach Counties • Operating Base: Miami, FL
48-State OTR Solo Company Driver 53-Foot Dry Van
Run general dry van freight from South Florida to customer markets across the lower 48. Drivers typically cover 2,500–3,000 paid miles per week, stay out for 2–3 weeks, and return to Miami for scheduled home time.
Weekly Gross Range
$1,700–$2,050
Typical Annualized Gross: $99,008
Mileage Rate $0.68 per paid mile
Retention Bonus $1,000
Home Time 2–3 weeks out
Driver Type Solo Company Driver
Freight General Dry Van
Haul palletized general freight from South Florida distribution centers to retail, manufacturing, and warehouse customers across the lower 48 states.
- Complete pre-trip, en-route, and post-trip inspections.
- Verify bills of lading, seal numbers, and trailer condition at pickup and delivery.
- Operate 53-foot dry vans on planned interstate routes within legal hours-of-service limits.
- Handle live-load, live-unload, and drop-and-hook assignments as dispatched.
- Keep dispatch updated on appointment changes, detention, breakdowns, and delays.
- Secure freight-related paperwork and submit proof of delivery promptly.
Drivers earn $0.68 per paid mile. At 2,800 paid miles, typical weekly gross is $1,904 before taxes and deductions. Actual earnings depend on dispatched miles, freight availability, appointment delays, and available driving hours.
Mileage Rate $0.68 per paid mile
Weekly Gross Range $1,700–$2,050
Typical Weekly Gross $1,904 at 2,800 paid miles
Annualized Typical Gross $99,008 at 52 weeks
Retention Bonus $1,000 total: $500 at 90 days and $500 at 180 days
Detention $20/hour after 2 hours, with required documentation
Layover $100 per qualifying day
Pay Frequency Weekly
Typical Work Cycle 2–3 weeks on the road
Home Time Scheduled return to South Florida after each cycle
Operating Area Continental U.S., primarily interstate freight
Dispatch Loads planned around appointments, HOS, and reload availability
Time Off Requests Submit preferred dates before the next dispatch cycle
Tractor Models Kenworth T680 and Volvo VNL
Model Years Primarily 2020–2025, depending on assignment
Transmission Mostly automatic
Cab Sleeper tractors for multi-day OTR runs
Assignment Assigned tractor when fleet scheduling allows
The fleet uses 53-foot dry vans, generally with standard freight securement equipment such as load bars where applicable. Tractors are equipped with ELD and dispatch communication systems. Inverter, refrigerator, driver-assistance features, and camera equipment vary by unit.
Typical outbound freight includes palletized retail goods, packaged consumer products, and non-refrigerated freight from South Florida distribution centers.
- Miami / Medley to Jacksonville, FL — Florida’s Turnpike or I-95, depending on pickup and delivery points.
- South Florida to Savannah, GA — I-95 north, with local routing near the customer facilities.
- Miami area to Atlanta, GA — Florida’s Turnpike and I-75 north.
- South Florida to Charlotte, NC — I-95 north with connections selected for the delivery location and truck-legal routing.
- Miami area to Houston, TX — I-75 north and I-10 west, subject to dispatch routing and conditions.
- Texas or Southeast return freight to Florida — reloads depend on customer demand, appointment windows, and available freight.
- Review the dispatch sheet, pickup number, delivery appointment, and planned route before departure.
- Check the tractor and trailer, then confirm the shipping documents match the assigned load.
- At pickup, follow the facility’s check-in process and verify seal or trailer-exchange details.
- During the trip, manage fuel stops, legal driving time, breaks, and safe overnight parking.
- At delivery, submit signed proof of delivery and report shortages, damage, or refused freight.
- Contact dispatch for the next load or repositioning instructions before the current trip closes.
About the Carrier
This mid-sized truckload operation moves general dry van freight for warehouse, retail, and manufacturing customers. Dispatch plans interstate loads around customer appointments, driver hours, equipment availability, and reload opportunities. Drivers are expected to communicate clearly, protect freight and equipment, and complete delivery paperwork accurately. Routes and weekly mileage vary with freight demand.
Health Benefits Medical coverage options for eligible employees
Retirement Retirement savings plan, subject to eligibility
Orientation Paid onboarding and ELD instruction
Road Support Dispatch assistance with breakdowns and route changes
Trip Administration Support with fuel, tolls, and delivery paperwork
Retention Bonus $1,000 total, paid in two eligible installments
- Valid Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL-A).
- At least 12 months of verifiable tractor-trailer driving experience required.
- At least 6 months of verifiable OTR experience required.
- Satisfactory MVR, PSP review, and employment verification.
- Current DOT medical qualification and successful pre-employment drug screening, including required Clearinghouse checks.
- Ability to remain on the road for 2–3 weeks and safely manage trip planning, inspections, and overnight parking.
- Live-load and live-unload queues or freight not ready at the scheduled appointment.
- Missed or changed delivery windows and delayed shipping paperwork.
- Congestion on I-95, Florida’s Turnpike, I-75, and major metro approaches.
- Severe thunderstorms, flooding, tropical weather, or road closures.
- Limited reload availability after delivery, which may require repositioning before the next pickup.
1
Recruiter Call
Confirm CDL-A experience, OTR background, mileage pay, and home-time cycle.
2
Safety Qualification
Review MVR, PSP, employment history, medical qualification, and required drug-screening records.
3
Offer Review
Confirm mileage rate, bonus conditions, benefits eligibility, and dispatch expectations.
4
Orientation
Complete company policies, ELD instruction, equipment checks, and trip-document procedures.
5
Equipment & First Load
Receive tractor assignment and dispatch details for the first trip.
Q: How is weekly pay calculated? ▼
Pay is $0.68 per paid mile. At 2,800 paid miles, gross pay is $1,904 before taxes and deductions.
Q: How much OTR experience is required? ▼
At least 12 months of verifiable tractor-trailer experience, including at least 6 months of OTR experience, is required.
Q: How often do drivers get home? ▼
The usual cycle is 2–3 weeks on the road, followed by scheduled home time in South Florida.
Q: Is the freight no-touch? ▼
Most general dry van assignments are no-touch. Drivers remain responsible for inspections, seal checks, paperwork, and reporting visible freight issues.
Q: What equipment is used? ▼
Drivers operate sleeper tractors, primarily Kenworth T680 and Volvo VNL models, pulling 53-foot dry van trailers.
Q: Is there a retention bonus? ▼
The total retention bonus is $1,000: $500 at 90 days and $500 at 180 days, subject to the program’s eligibility terms.
Q: How are detention and layover paid? ▼
Detention is $20 per qualifying hour after two hours, and layover is $100 per qualifying day. Required documentation and eligibility rules apply.
Q: Can I park overnight at a shipper or receiver? ▼
Only when the facility explicitly permits it. Drivers should plan authorized truck parking before reaching their available driving limit.
Miami CDL-A truck driving jobs cover local delivery, port drayage, regional freight, and over-the-road dry van trucking. OTR dry van positions suit drivers who can spend multiple weeks away from home, manage interstate appointments, and operate independently within hours-of-service rules. Pay structures vary by carrier and may include cents per mile, weekly guarantees, accessorial pay, or retention incentives. Candidates should compare the mileage rate with expected paid miles, home-time policy, benefit eligibility, detention rules, and whether empty miles are compensated. Verifiable tractor-trailer experience and a satisfactory safety record are common screening factors for solo OTR company driver positions.
Miami’s freight network serves importers, retailers, manufacturers, and distribution centers across South Florida. Industrial areas around Doral, Medley, and Hialeah generate outbound dry van loads, while interstate corridors connect the region with Jacksonville, Georgia, the Carolinas, the Southeast, and Texas. Florida’s Turnpike, I-95, I-75, and I-10 are important parts of long-distance routing, although the actual route depends on pickup and delivery locations, traffic, weather, and truck restrictions. Because freight flows into South Florida can differ from outbound demand, drivers may need to wait for a reload or reposition after delivery. Seasonal shipping peaks can also increase appointment delays.