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VERIFIED ACTIVE RECRUITING

OTR CDL-A Dry Van Driver Little Rock AR | South Midwest Freight

Operating Style: OTR Dry Van • Terminal: Little Rock, AR

Little Rock, AR South & Midwest Mixed Fleet

Mid-sized regional carrier based in Central Arkansas is hiring experienced CDL-A drivers for OTR dry van operations. Runs originate from the Little Rock freight market and cover palletized consumer goods, paper products, packaged industrial materials, retail replenishment, and building supplies across the South and Midwest. Typical mileage 2,500–3,000 paid miles per week with home time every 2–3 weeks.

Typical Weekly Gross
$1,700–$2,050
Estimated Annual: $88,400–$106,600
Sign-On Bonus $1,500
Home Time Every 2–3 weeks
Position Company Driver
Weekly Miles 2,500–3,000 paid
Freight Dry Van – Palletized General

Position Overview

  • Operate in a managed freight network supporting Arkansas distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, retail supply networks, and regional logistics hubs throughout the South and Midwest.
  • Handle palletized freight with a mix of 35–45% drop-and-hook and 55–65% live load/unload under appointment windows.
  • Work with dispatch on reloads and backhauls from Memphis, Dallas-Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, and Kansas City to reduce empty miles.
  • This is not a dedicated lane operation — dispatch adjusts routes weekly based on current freight availability and customer demand.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Base Mileage Rate $0.64 per paid mile
Base Weekly (2,500–3,000 mi) $1,600–$1,920
Typical Weekly Gross $1,700–$2,050 (incl. detention + layover)
Estimated Annual ≈ $88,400–$106,600
Sign-On Bonus $1,500 ($500 at 30/90/180 days)
Detention Pay $25 per hour after 2 hours
Layover Pay $100 per qualifying layover

Schedule, Home Time & Operating Area

Home Time Every 2–3 weeks (adjustable with notice)
Operating Style OTR Dry Van – South & Midwest
Home Terminal Little Rock, AR
Weekly Mileage 2,500–3,000 paid miles (varies with freight)
Reset Planning 34-hour resets at approved locations

Equipment & Fleet Details

Tractor Models Freightliner Cascadia (2019–2024), Kenworth T680 (2018–2023), select Peterbilt 579
Average Tractor Age 3–6 years (some older well-maintained units remain in service)
Transmission Automatic
Trailer Fleet 53' dry van, 5–9 years old, air ride suspension, logistics posts, load locks, swing doors
Technology ELD, GPS, collision mitigation (newer units), lane departure warning, select dash cameras

Example Freight Lanes

  • Little Rock, AR → Memphis, TN (I-40) – consumer products & retail distribution with strong reload market
  • Little Rock, AR → Dallas-Fort Worth, TX (I-30 / US-67) – manufactured goods and industrial freight
  • Little Rock, AR → St. Louis, MO (I-40 to I-55) – industrial and warehouse replenishment
  • Little Rock, AR → Oklahoma City, OK (I-40 west) – distribution and manufacturing backhauls

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

A typical week begins from the Little Rock terminal or last delivery point. Dispatch provides the next pickup, delivery appointment, and trailer details while the driver is still on the current load.

Drivers perform pre-trip inspections, manage live or drop-and-hook loading, complete interstate runs, and handle customer check-in and paperwork. Most days center on one primary load movement, though actual mileage varies based on customer demand, dock delays, and Hours-of-Service.

Reload planning happens before going empty when possible. Dispatch adjusts assignments daily according to freight balance and driver location. Overnight parking is coordinated at approved truck stops, customer yards, or terminal when available.

This operation is built around consistent freight volume rather than guaranteed miles. Weekly mileage depends on customer demand, equipment availability, weather, and driver planning.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Health Coverage Medical insurance options with employee contribution
Dental & Vision Optional dental and vision programs
Retirement 401(k) retirement program
Additional Support Paid orientation, safety recognition incentives, referral program, direct deposit, rider program (per policy), terminal parking when available

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL
  • Acceptable driving history per company and insurance standards
  • Ability to pass DOT physical, drug screen, and Clearinghouse review
  • Preferred: 6 months CDL-A tractor-trailer experience (dry van, reefer, or general freight). Newer drivers with accredited training and clean record considered.

Operational Delays

  • Distribution center appointment queues and limited dock doors during peak retail periods
  • Live load/unload delays at manufacturing and warehouse facilities (30 minutes to 2+ hours typical)
  • Traffic congestion in Dallas-Fort Worth and Memphis metro areas
  • Construction zones along I-40 and winter weather impacts in northern corridors
  • Trailer repositioning or maintenance holds affecting equipment availability

Hiring Process

1
Recruiter Call
Experience, equipment, and schedule review.
2
Safety Check
MVR, DOT, employment, and Clearinghouse verification.
3
Orientation
Paid training covering ELD, safety, and equipment procedures.
4
Truck Assignment
Equipment setup and dispatch within 5–10 business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How flexible is home time on this OTR account? ▼
Home time is typically every 2–3 weeks but can be extended with advance notice to dispatch as long as customer commitments allow. Dispatch works around freight flow to coordinate returns toward Little Rock.
Q: What percentage of loads are drop-and-hook? ▼
Approximately 35–45% of freight is drop-and-hook. The remaining 55–65% involves live load or unload at customer facilities.
Q: Will I always return to Little Rock after my last delivery? ▼
Not always. Dispatch plans the most efficient reload based on your location and available freight to reduce empty miles while respecting hours of service.
Q: How are trailer issues handled on the road? ▼
Drivers report issues through company maintenance channels. Common repairs (doors, lights, tires, air systems) are coordinated through terminal procedures. Pre-trip inspections help catch problems early.
Q: What parking options exist during multi-day runs? ▼
Company terminal parking in Little Rock when available, approved customer yards, and established truck stops along I-40, I-30, and I-55. Planning early is important near major metros.

CDL Job Market in Little Rock

Little Rock maintains a solid CDL-A market supported by its position on major interstates connecting Memphis, Dallas, Oklahoma City, and St. Louis. Regional and OTR dry van positions are common due to consistent freight movement from manufacturing and distribution activity. Carriers of various sizes regularly hire experienced drivers for general freight, with demand remaining steady year-round. Opportunities exist across dry van, flatbed, and specialized segments, though dry van accounts for a large share of local postings. Drivers with multi-state experience and clean records have good mobility between employers in the area.

Little Rock Freight Market

Little Rock serves as a strategic logistics point in Central Arkansas where I-40 and I-30 corridors intersect. This location supports freight movement between Southeast distribution networks and Midwest markets. The regional economy generates steady volumes of consumer goods, paper products, industrial materials, building supplies, and retail replenishment freight. Manufacturing facilities and large distribution centers create consistent outbound loads while Memphis and Dallas-Fort Worth act as major reload hubs. Seasonal retail peaks increase volume during holiday periods while manufacturing schedules influence baseline activity. The combination of interstate access and diverse shipper base helps maintain reliable freight flow for dry van operations throughout the year.

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