Regional CDL-A Position Dry Van

Regional CDL-A Dry Van Driver – Paper & Packaging Freight – Birmingham, AL

Hiring Area: Birmingham Metro • Terminal: Birmingham, AL

Birmingham, AL Regional Southeast 2020–2025 Sleepers

Haul palletized corrugated, kraft and packaging materials on regional dry-van lanes across Alabama and the Southeast. Typical weekly gross $1,650–$1,900 with two consecutive home days each week.

Typical Weekly Gross
$1,650–$1,900
Typical Annualized: ~$93,600
Sign-On Bonus $1,000 (two installments)
Home Time Weekly, 2 consecutive days
Driver Type Company Driver
Weekly Miles 2,350–2,650 paid
Freight Type Paper & Packaging

Position Overview

Regional dry-van work centered on paper mills, converters, packaging distributors and industrial customers.

  • Mostly no-touch palletized corrugated sheets, cartons and kraft products.
  • Typical weekly mileage 2,350–2,650 paid miles.
  • Weekly home time with two consecutive days normally scheduled.
  • Mix of drop-and-hook, preloaded and scheduled live-load freight.
  • Trailer inspections, BOL/POD verification and ELD/DVIR compliance required.
  • Primary coverage of Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Mississippi corridors.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

$0.70 CPM forms the base. A normal 2,500-mile week plus limited detention lands near $1,800 gross; the advertised range reflects 2,350–2,650 paid miles plus typical detention of $25–$50.

Typical Weekly Gross $1,650–$1,900
Typical Annualized ~$93,600 (based on average week × 52)
Sign-On Bonus $1,000 paid in two retention installments ($500 at 60 days, $500 at 180 days)
Detention $25/hour after qualifying waiting period
Payroll Weekly direct deposit

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Home Time Normally two consecutive days each week
Operating Corridor Alabama and neighboring Southeast states
Terminal Birmingham, AL
Weekly Miles 2,350–2,650 paid
Typical Start 5:00–8:00 AM

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Tractors Freightliner Cascadia and Volvo VNL sleepers, primarily 2020–2025
Trailers 53-ft dry vans, mixed 2019–2025 fleet
Transmission Automatic
Driver Assistance Collision mitigation, lane-departure warning and adaptive cruise on equipped units
Assignment Assigned tractor when available; temporary slip-seat during maintenance or balancing

Air-ride suspension, sliding tandems, logistics posts/load-locks where required, electronic DVIR, forward-facing cameras on most late-model units. Company-controlled trailer pool. Maintenance handled through terminal shop or approved outside vendors.

Real Routes

Freight consists of corrugated sheets, cartons, kraft products, stretch film and industrial packaging—mostly palletized, occasionally floor-loaded or tightly stacked. Cube utilization often matters more than weight. Roughly 55–65 % moves drop-and-hook or preloaded.

  • Birmingham, AL → Atlanta, GA via I-20
  • Birmingham, AL → Nashville, TN via I-65
  • Birmingham, AL → Memphis, TN via I-22/I-40
  • Calera, AL → Chattanooga, TN via I-65/I-59
  • Bessemer, AL → Atlanta, GA via I-20
  • Birmingham, AL → Mobile, AL via I-65/I-10
  • Birmingham, AL → Montgomery, AL via I-65
  • Reloads frequently originate from Calera, Huntsville or Atlanta industrial sites

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • Dispatch assigns the first outbound load and delivery window before the week begins.
  • Complete pre-trip, confirm trailer number and review dispatch instructions.
  • Arrive within the appointment window, check in and receive dock or yard assignment.
  • Live load or unload commonly takes 45–120 minutes; longer waits occur when production or dock schedules change.
  • Obtain POD, verify paperwork and contact dispatch for the next move.
  • Take 10-hour breaks at truck stops or approved customer locations.
  • Complete 34-hour reset at home during the scheduled weekly home period when possible.

About the Carrier

Central Alabama packaging converters and kraft producers generate ongoing outbound volumes of corrugated, cartons and industrial materials that must reach distributors and end users across the Southeast. This mid-sized regional operation concentrates on those dry, non-hazardous paper products, pairing drop-and-hook with scheduled live loads between plants, warehouses and industrial customers. Dispatch works to match outbound freight with available reloads and empty equipment, although occasional empty repositioning remains part of normal regional running. A Birmingham terminal anchors the network and coordinates appointments, trailer availability and backhaul opportunities.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Medical Medical insurance with employee contribution
Dental & Vision Dental and vision coverage
Retirement 401(k) with company match after eligibility
Paid Time Off Paid time off after eligibility requirements
Additional Rider program, referral program, paid orientation, paid DOT physical renewal

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL
  • Approximately 6 months recent CDL-A experience preferred
  • Clean or reasonably acceptable MVR
  • Pass DOT physical, drug screen and Clearinghouse query
  • Ability to operate automatic Class 8 equipment and perform trailer inspections
  • No HazMat endorsement required for standard paper-packaging freight

Operational Delays

  • Morning congestion at Birmingham interchanges
  • Atlanta and Nashville peak traffic
  • Summer thunderstorms and occasional winter weather
  • Warehouse bottlenecks when production schedules shift
  • Trailer shortages during heavier manufacturing or retail shipping periods

Hiring Process

1
Recruiter Call
Usually within one business day
2
Background Review
CDL, MVR, employment history, Clearinghouse
3
Offer & Orientation
Paid 1–2 day orientation at Birmingham terminal
4
Truck Assignment
First dispatch generally within 5–10 business days

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How often will I be home? ▼
Drivers normally return to the Birmingham area for two consecutive days each week. Weather, customer delays or weekly freight volume can occasionally shift the exact timing.
Q: What share of loads are live versus drop-and-hook? ▼
Approximately 55–65 % of freight is drop-and-hook or preloaded; the remaining 35–45 % involves live loading or unloading.
Q: How long do live loads or unloads usually take? ▼
Commonly 45–120 minutes. Longer waits are possible when production lines or dock schedules change.
Q: Are the routes fixed? ▼
No. Dispatch builds combinations of outbound freight and available reloads based on customer demand and trailer availability.
Q: Where do drivers park overnight away from Birmingham? ▼
Established truck stops along I-20, I-65, I-22 and I-59. Customer yards only when specifically authorized by dispatch.
Q: Can recent CDL graduates apply? ▼
Limited consideration is given to graduates of accredited programs who meet company safety standards.

CDL Job Market

Birmingham offers a broad CDL-A employment market that includes regional dry van, dedicated accounts, LTL, private fleets, tanker and manufacturing-related trucking. Regional dry-van weekly offers commonly fall between the mid-$1,400s and low-$2,000s depending on miles and account structure. The market is not in extreme shortage, so consistent home time, equipment condition and reliable miles matter as much as the headline rate. Drivers with solid regional experience find multiple options across dry-van and dedicated work; specialized equipment roles remain available for those seeking different freight. Industrial and distribution activity keeps demand for qualified Class A drivers steady throughout the year.

Location & Freight Market

Birmingham’s location at the junction of I-20/I-59, I-65, I-22 and I-459 places it at the center of several Southeast freight corridors. Packaging converters and kraft producers in Central Alabama, including major operations near Calera, supply corrugated sheets, cartons and industrial materials that move outward to Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi and the Gulf Coast. Manufacturing plants, distribution centers and industrial customers generate consistent outbound volumes that support regional dry-van capacity year-round. Seasonal retail and production cycles create volume peaks, yet the underlying industrial base keeps paper and packaging freight moving on a regular basis.

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