OTR CDL-A Position Dry Van
OTR CDL-A Dry Van Driver — E-Commerce Freight — Atlanta, GA
Hiring Area: Atlanta Metro • Base: Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, GA OTR Southeast & Midwest Sleeper Tractors
Run interstate e-commerce and retail dry-van freight from Atlanta, earning $1,600–$1,900 weekly gross with 2–3 weeks on the road and scheduled home time.
Weekly Gross
$1,600–$1,900
Typical Weekly: $1,750
Base Rate $0.65 per paid mile
Home Time 2–3 weeks out
Weekly Miles 2,500–2,900
Sign-On Bonus $1,000
Atlanta-based OTR dry-van work moves e-commerce and retail freight across Southeast and selected Midwest distribution lanes on multiweek trips.
- Transport palletized consumer goods, packaged merchandise, apparel, and small appliances between distribution facilities.
- Complete preloaded trailer exchanges and scheduled live pickups or deliveries at customer facilities.
- Verify trailer numbers, shipping documents, load securement, and seal integrity before departure.
- Run planned interstate linehaul routes through Southeast markets and selected Midwest distribution hubs.
- Manage appointment windows while accounting for traffic, dock delays, parking, and legal driving limits.
- Record mileage, delivery status, detention timestamps, and shipment exceptions through electronic dispatch systems.
- Remain on the road for two to three weeks before scheduled home time.
Company drivers earn $0.65 per paid mile, with weekly gross earnings tied to dispatched mileage, completed trips, and available freight. The typical week pays approximately $1,750 before taxes.
Base Mileage Rate $0.65 per paid mile
Weekly Gross Range $1,600–$1,900
Typical Weekly Gross $1,750 at approximately 2,700 paid miles
Regular Annual Gross $91,000 at the typical weekly rate
Overtime Mileage-paid work; no separate hourly overtime calculation
Detention Pay $20 per eligible hour after two hours, with dispatch documentation
Sign-On Bonus $1,000: $250 after 30 days, $250 after 90 days, and $500 after 180 days
Regular annual earnings exclude the sign-on bonus and are calculated as $1,750 × 52 weeks. Weekly totals vary with paid mileage, routing, and customer delays. Detention is additional and is not included in the typical weekly estimate.
Home Time Home every 2–3 weeks, scheduled with dispatch
Operating Area Southeast and selected Midwest interstate lanes
Base Location Atlanta, Georgia
Typical Weekly Mileage Approximately 2,700 paid miles
Dispatch Preplanned loads, appointment windows, and electronic trip updates
Tractors Primarily 2021–2025 Freightliner Cascadia and Kenworth T680 sleepers
Transmission Automatic
Equipment ELD, GPS dispatch, and standard fleet safety systems
Tractor Assignment Assigned when scheduling permits; shared tractors during coverage changes
Trailers 53-foot dry vans for palletized and general consumer freight
Drivers complete pre-trip inspections and verify doors, load bars or straps where required, and shipment seals before moving loaded trailers.
Typical lanes connect Atlanta-area distribution facilities with regional retail and e-commerce hubs:
- Atlanta to Charlotte, NC — I-85
- Atlanta to Greenville, SC — I-85
- Atlanta to Jacksonville, FL — I-75 and I-10
- Atlanta to Orlando, FL — I-75 and connecting Florida highways
- Atlanta to Nashville, TN — I-75 and I-24
- Atlanta to Birmingham, AL — I-20
- Atlanta to Memphis, TN — I-75 and I-40, depending on dispatch routing
Actual destinations depend on customer demand, load availability, appointment schedules, and return freight.
- Review dispatch instructions, pickup numbers, delivery appointments, and assigned trailer details.
- Complete the pre-trip inspection and verify seals, doors, and load security.
- Check in at the shipper, complete the trailer exchange or live loading process, and secure paperwork.
- Drive the assigned interstate leg within hours-of-service limits and report material ETA changes.
- Complete delivery, record exceptions, and confirm the next load or authorized repositioning move.
- Plan fuel stops, legal rest periods, and overnight parking around the route and appointment schedule.
About the Carrier
This mid-sized carrier serves e-commerce fulfillment networks, retail distribution accounts, and third-party logistics providers across the Southeast and selected Midwest markets. Freight moves through a network of repeat customer relationships rather than a single dedicated facility. The Atlanta operation coordinates tractor and trailer availability, customer appointments, and return-load planning across interstate lanes. Dispatchers work with drivers to manage changing delivery windows, equipment availability, and hours-of-service limits while maintaining service across a mixed regional and OTR freight network.
Health Benefits Medical, dental, and vision plan options
Retirement 401(k) retirement savings plan
Orientation Paid company orientation
Driver Support 24/7 dispatch coverage and breakdown coordination
Payroll & Records Electronic pay statements and assistance with mileage and detention records
Sign-On Bonus $1,000 paid in three installments over the first 180 days
- Valid U.S. Class A CDL.
- At least 6 months of verifiable tractor-trailer driving experience.
- Acceptable motor vehicle record and safety history under company standards.
- Meet DOT qualification, drug-testing, and Clearinghouse requirements.
- Ability to use ELD systems and comply with federal hours-of-service rules.
- Available for 2–3 weeks on the road, including nights and weekends.
- Atlanta congestion on I-285, I-75, I-85, and I-20 can affect appointment arrivals and departure windows.
- Holiday e-commerce peaks increase gate queues, dock waits, and trailer-exchange pressure at distribution centers.
- Live loading, occupied dock doors, and delayed freight staging can extend customer stops.
- Weather, limited truck parking, and uneven backhaul demand can change routing and daily progress.
1
Apply
Submit CDL details and recent driving history
2
Qualification Screening
Complete recruiter interview and required safety checks
3
Offer & Orientation
Review written offer and complete paid onboarding
Q: How much can I earn each week? ▼
Weekly gross pay is typically $1,750 at approximately 2,700 paid miles, with a general range of $1,600–$1,900.
Q: How is mileage pay calculated? ▼
The base rate is $0.65 per paid mile. Eligible detention pays $20 per hour after two hours with documented approval.
Q: How does the sign-on bonus work? ▼
The $1,000 bonus is paid as $250 after 30 days, $250 after 90 days, and $500 after 180 days.
Q: How often will I get home? ▼
Drivers typically stay out for two to three weeks before scheduled home time in the Atlanta area.
Q: What freight and routes should I expect? ▼
Freight includes palletized consumer goods, apparel, packaged merchandise, and small appliances moving between Southeast and selected Midwest distribution markets.
Q: Is unloading required? ▼
Most work involves trailer exchanges or customer-controlled loading and unloading. Drivers handle inspections, securement checks, and shipping documentation.
Q: What experience and equipment are required? ▼
Applicants need a valid Class A CDL and at least six months of verifiable tractor-trailer experience. The fleet primarily uses automatic sleeper tractors and 53-foot dry vans.
Atlanta, Georgia, is a major trucking employment market, supported by distribution, retail replenishment, parcel networks, and interstate freight activity. CDL-A drivers compete for positions across OTR, regional, dedicated, local, and less-than-truckload operations. Home-daily and scheduled regional jobs appeal to drivers prioritizing frequent returns, while OTR employers recruit candidates willing to remain on the road for extended periods. Hiring opportunities vary with freight demand, customer contracts, seasonal shipping peaks, and carrier capacity. Employers generally value verifiable tractor-trailer experience, safe driving records, dependable attendance, and compliance with federal regulations. Drivers comparing offers should evaluate mileage rates, expected miles, home time, and benefit eligibility.
Atlanta's freight network connects major Southeastern markets through I-75, I-85, and I-20, while I-285 distributes truck traffic around the metropolitan area. Warehousing and fulfillment activity across South Fulton, Union City, Forest Park, McDonough, and the I-85 corridor supports recurring dry-van movements. Retail inventory, parcel-network freight, packaged consumer goods, and general merchandise move between distribution centers and regional delivery hubs. Outbound loads commonly serve the Carolinas, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida, with return freight depending on customer demand and network balance. Congestion around metro interchanges, warehouse appointment windows, and seasonal inventory surges can affect transit planning and daily operating schedules.