Position Overview
A mid-sized regional trucking company is hiring CDL-A OTR Dry Van Drivers based out of Louisville, Kentucky to support a well-established freight network connecting major distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, retail suppliers, and logistics parks throughout the Midwest and Southeast. The company operates approximately 140 power units and focuses primarily on contract dry van freight.
- Safely operate throughout assigned Midwest and Southeast freight lanes while complying with FMCSA regulations and company safety standards.
- Perform complete pre-trip, en-route, and post-trip inspections, documenting any equipment issues through the electronic DVIR system.
- Verify trailer numbers, seal numbers, cargo condition, and shipping documentation before departing customer facilities.
- Maintain accurate electronic Hours-of-Service records using the company ELD platform.
- Arrive for pickup and delivery appointments on schedule and notify dispatch of delays.
- Monitor cargo securement and plan fuel stops, rest breaks, and parking considering HOS and appointments.
This is an OTR position requiring ability to remain over the road for 14–21 days between scheduled home time. Drivers operate from the Louisville terminal with freight originating from distribution centers in the Louisville metropolitan area, Shepherdsville logistics corridor, Jeffersonville, Indiana warehouse districts, and nearby Southern Indiana industrial parks.
Pay Breakdown & Earnings Structure
This position follows a CPM-based compensation model. Below is the detailed pay breakdown for this position.
CPM Rate Starting CPM $0.60 (6–18 months), $0.63 (18–36 months), up to $0.66 (3+ years).
Typical Weekly Earnings Approximately $1,880 gross per week based on typical freight volumes.
Weekly Pay Range $1,495 – $2,194 per week depending on miles and accessorials.
Detention Pay $25 per hour after 2 hours at customer facilities when customer-approved.
Layover Pay $140 for qualifying overnight layovers.
Breakdown Pay $140 per day after qualifying waiting period.
Sign-On Bonus $1,000 paid in installments: $250 after 30 days, $250 after 90 days, $500 after 180 days.
Referral Bonus $1,250 per qualified referred driver.
Driver Benefits & Company Advantages
Professional CDL-A drivers receive a benefits package designed to support long-term employment.
Health Insurance
Medical, dental, and vision coverage options available for eligible drivers and dependents.
Retirement Plan
401(k) retirement program with company matching contributions after eligibility period.
Paid Orientation
Orientation is paid and includes company policies, ELD instruction, safety procedures, and equipment familiarization.
Weekly Pay & Direct Deposit
Weekly direct deposit every Friday.
Paid Time Off
Paid vacation based on years of service and paid holidays for eligible employees.
Driver Support
Dedicated fleet dispatch team, 24-hour maintenance hotline, and safety department support.
Equipment Programs
Assigned tractor policy with coordinated maintenance and company-paid roadside assistance.
Equipment & Fleet Specifications
Primary Tractor Brands Freightliner, Kenworth, Volvo
Common Tractor Models Freightliner Cascadia (2021–2024), Kenworth T680 (2020–2023), Volvo VNL 760 (2020–2022)
Trailer Configuration 53-foot dry van trailers with swing-door and roll-door configurations
Transmission Automated manual transmissions
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Samsara ELD
Safety Systems Collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, roll stability control, automatic emergency braking, forward-facing dash camera
Truck Assignment Assigned primary tractor after orientation with temporary changes for maintenance
Additional Equipment 72-inch sleeper cab, Detroit DD15 or Cummins X15 engines, air-ride suspension, inverter, refrigerator, bunk heater
Real Routes Our Drivers Take
To give you a clear expectation of your weekly dispatch, below are examples of freight lanes, operating areas, and transportation corridors regularly serviced by drivers on this account.
Primary Operating Area: Midwest and Southeast
States Covered: Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, portions of eastern Texas
Major Cities / Markets: Louisville KY, Indianapolis IN, Chicago IL, Nashville TN, Atlanta GA, Memphis TN, Columbus OH, Little Rock AR, Birmingham AL
Freight Corridors: I-65, I-24, I-75, I-71, I-70, I-40
Typical Route Distance: 450 - 850 loaded miles per trip, occasional multi-day exceeding 1,000 miles
Average Weekly Miles: 2,450 - 3,150 paid miles
Common Freight Movement: Outbound from Louisville area distribution centers to major population centers with backhaul reloads
Drivers typically haul outbound freight from Louisville metropolitan distribution centers toward Indianapolis, Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta, Memphis and other regional hubs before securing backhauls that route them toward home. Dispatch adjusts reloads based on available freight, HOS, and network demand rather than fixed repetitive lanes.
Hiring Process
Most qualified applicants receive an initial phone call from a recruiter within one business day after submitting an application.
Application Review Application submitted and reviewed for qualifications.
Recruiter Contact Initial phone call to review experience, home time preference, and availability.
Driver Qualification Employment verification, MVR review, FMCSA Clearinghouse query.
Background & Compliance DOT pre-employment drug screening and background review.
Orientation 1-2 days at Louisville terminal including policies, ELD, safety, equipment, and road evaluation. Paid.
First Dispatch First outbound load typically within 5–10 days from start of hiring process.
Applicants should provide valid CDL, current DOT medical certificate, and employment history.
A Typical Day on This Account
Dispatch confirms outbound load before previous trip completion when possible. Drivers pick up preloaded trailers from Louisville area distribution centers.
Shift Start
Pre-trip inspection, verify trailer and seal numbers, complete documentation, depart on long-haul transit.
During the Day
Long-haul transit along primary corridors, communicate with dispatch via Samsara, manage HOS, arrive for appointments.
End of Shift
Complete delivery or reload, post-trip inspection, submit paperwork, plan next segment or overnight parking.
Actual schedules vary based on freight demand, customer appointments, Hours of Service regulations, and operational requirements. Most trips involve one pickup and one delivery with reload planning.
Delivery & Unloading Process
Drivers inspect cargo securement, confirm trailer condition, verify seal numbers when applicable, and ensure shipping documentation matches load. Drop-and-hook at larger distribution centers involves gate check, seal verification, paperwork exchange. Live load/unload at manufacturing facilities follows scheduled appointment windows with driver check-in and verification.
Upon delivery, drivers receive signed bills of lading and proof of delivery. Dispatch assists with detention documentation when applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the home time frequency on this account? A: 14–21 days out followed by 2–3 full days home.
Q: What equipment configurations do drivers run? A: Freightliner Cascadia, Kenworth T680, Volvo VNL 760 sleepers with Samsara ELD.
Q: What type of freight will I haul? A: General palletized dry van freight, primarily no-touch consumer goods, paper products, and retail inventory.
Q: What is the required Class A road experience? A: Minimum 6 months recent preferred.
Q: What areas will I drive? A: Midwest and Southeast states including KY, IN, OH, TN, IL, MO, GA, AL and others.
Q: Is unloading required? A: Primarily no-touch with 60% drop-and-hook; some live unload at customer facilities.
CDL-A OTR Dry Van Driver Jobs in Louisville, KY
Louisville serves as a major inland freight hub supporting strong dry van operations due to its central location and concentration of distribution centers, manufacturing, and retail logistics activity. CDL-A OTR Dry Van drivers in this market move general freight across established Midwest and Southeast corridors where consumer goods, paper products, and industrial supplies flow consistently between key population and production centers.
Primary freight corridors include I-65 connecting Louisville to Indianapolis, Nashville, and Birmingham, along with connections via I-24, I-75, I-71, I-70 and I-40. Outbound loads frequently originate from Shepherdsville, Jeffersonville, and other Louisville-area logistics parks before heading to major distribution hubs in Chicago, Atlanta, Memphis and Columbus. Backhaul planning uses regional networks to route drivers efficiently toward home.
Drivers operate late-model Freightliner Cascadia, Kenworth T680 and Volvo VNL 760 tractors with Samsara ELD while pulling 53-foot dry vans. The position features 14-21 days out with 2-3 days home time and CPM pay supporting typical weekly earnings around $1,880 based on 2,450-3,150 paid miles plus detention and layover accessorials.
Freight demand remains relatively stable year-round with retail peaks in late summer through holidays and manufacturing variations around plant schedules. Drivers manage live load appointments at manufacturing sites and drop-and-hook at larger distribution centers while coordinating with dispatch for reloads in strong markets like Indianapolis and Atlanta.
For CDL-A drivers seeking OTR dry van work with established lanes, realistic scheduling, and no-touch freight from a Louisville base, this operation provides balanced long-haul opportunities across the Midwest and Southeast. The role fits professionals experienced with HOS management and regional freight networks who prefer consistent miles over irregular routing.
