Regional CDL-A Position Automotive Dedicated

CDL-A Regional Automotive Freight Driver

Hiring Area: Detroit Metro • Terminal: Detroit Area

Detroit, MI Regional Primarily 2020–2025

Haul production-sensitive automotive components through Southeast Michigan and neighboring Midwest states on typical 1–3 night cycles, with weekly gross around $1,800.

Typical Weekly Gross
$1,800
Estimated Annual: $93,600
Weekly Range $1,650–$1,900
Sign-On Bonus $1,500
Home Time 1–3 Nights Out
Weekly Miles 2,200–2,500
Freight Type Automotive Components

Position Overview

Production schedules drive this regional automotive account. Plant appointments, supplier pickups and trailer availability shape the daily plan rather than fixed loops. Drivers typically work 1–3 nights out before returning to the Detroit-area domicile.

  • Pick up palletized and rack-loaded components from Detroit-area suppliers.
  • Deliver production freight to plants within scheduled appointment windows.
  • Complete gate procedures, trailer checks, seals and delivery documentation.
  • Handle drop-and-hook, staged exchanges and live loads as required.
  • Notify dispatch of production delays, shortages or appointment changes.
  • Maintain accurate ELD records and complete required inspections.
  • Follow customer-specific safety and securement procedures at facilities.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Base mileage pay is $0.72 per paid mile, with a $100 weekly account premium when qualification and account requirements are met. Detention is paid separately for qualifying delays.

Weekly Gross Range $1,650–$1,900
Typical Weekly Gross $1,800
Estimated Annual $93,600
Base Mileage $0.72 per paid mile
Account Premium $100 per week
Detention $30/hour after 2 hours
Sign-On Bonus $1,500 paid in stages
Payroll Weekly

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Home Time 1–3 nights out
Operating Corridor Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois
Terminal Detroit-area domicile
Weekly Miles 2,200–2,500 paid
Dispatch Window Typically 5:00–8:00 AM start

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Tractor Years Primarily 2020–2025, some older in pool
Tractor Makes Freightliner Cascadia & Kenworth T680
Transmission Automatic
Safety Systems Collision mitigation, lane departure, adaptive cruise on newer units
Assignment Assigned when available; slip-seat or pool during maintenance

Sleeper tractors, 53' dry vans (mostly 2019–2025) and automotive-spec trailers. ELD, forward-facing cameras and load bars standard. Maintenance handled through company shop and approved vendors; roadside assistance coordinated by dispatch.

Real Routes

Palletized and rack-loaded automotive components—stamped parts, molded pieces, interiors, wheels and assemblies—move between suppliers, consolidation points and OEM plants. Typical lanes may include:

  • Detroit or Dearborn to Toledo, OH
  • Detroit to Fort Wayne or Indianapolis, IN
  • Detroit to Chicago, IL area
  • Warren to Lansing and Sterling Heights to Toledo
  • Livonia to Cleveland and Detroit to Grand Rapids or Port Huron
  • Primary corridors I-75, I-94 and I-96; I-69 and I-90/I-80 as needed
  • Mix of drop-and-hook staged trailers and live loads at plants

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • Dispatch releases the next assignment the evening before or early morning.
  • Pickup often begins at a Detroit-area supplier yard with a staged trailer.
  • Travel to the plant, complete gate check-in, then dock or drop the trailer.
  • Exchange empty or reload for the next production window or available backhaul.
  • Monday and Tuesday freight is often heavier after weekend inventory rebuild.
  • Overnight parking is planned at approved yards or corridor truck stops.
  • Same-day sequence can change when production or trailer availability shifts.

About the Carrier

The account supports automotive suppliers and manufacturing facilities throughout Southeast Michigan and the surrounding Midwest. Freight is tied to production schedules, so drivers deal with plant appointment windows, trailer staging, gate procedures and occasional changes when customer production moves. Most freight is palletized or rack-loaded automotive components rather than general retail freight. Dispatch works around the production calendar while using available reloads to reduce empty miles on the return side.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Health Coverage Medical, dental and vision options
Retirement 401(k) with company matching
Paid Time Off Vacation/PTO accrual under company policy
Additional Support Paid orientation, rider program where permitted, referral program
Other Roadside assistance and terminal parking for qualifying drivers

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid CDL Class A
  • Approximately 6 months recent tractor-trailer experience preferred
  • Clean and acceptable MVR according to company standards
  • Pass DOT physical, drug screen and Clearinghouse query
  • Ability to operate safely around plants and perform normal coupling duties

Operational Delays

  • Plant gate congestion and controlled receiving windows
  • Supplier loading delays during shift changes or production surges
  • Traffic incidents and construction on I-75, I-94 and I-96
  • Winter weather reducing speeds on industrial corridors
  • Temporary trailer shortages requiring same-day resequencing

Hiring Process

1
Recruiter Contact
Phone call within one business day
2
Record Review
CDL, MVR and employment history check
3
Screening
Drug test, Clearinghouse and background
4
Orientation
1–2 days paid at Detroit terminal

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much of the work is drop-and-hook versus live load? ▼
Roughly half to 60 percent involves drop-and-hook or staged trailers at supplier yards. The rest is live loading or unloading tied to production appointments.
Q: Are drivers expected to recover late appointments by driving over HOS? ▼
No. Drivers are not expected to exceed hours-of-service limits to protect an appointment.
Q: Where do drivers typically park overnight? ▼
Company terminal or approved customer yards when available. Otherwise established truck stops near major corridors such as Toledo, Monroe, Ann Arbor, Lansing and Fort Wayne.
Q: Is prior automotive experience required? ▼
Preferred but not mandatory. Orientation covers plant-gate procedures, JIT freight and trailer-exchange practices.
Q: How long does the hiring process usually take? ▼
Generally 5–10 business days depending on background checks, MVR, employment verification, drug screening and orientation scheduling.
Q: Can recent CDL graduates apply? ▼
Recent graduates are not the primary target. Applicants with a completed accredited program may be considered if they have a strong safety record and can complete additional company training.

CDL Job Market

Detroit’s CDL-A market is closely connected to automotive manufacturing, parts suppliers, industrial distribution, intermodal freight and regional Midwest transportation. Local and regional carriers operate alongside national fleets, creating openings across dedicated automotive, dry van, intermodal and manufacturing accounts. Drivers familiar with plant gates, appointment windows and production schedules find steady demand. Opportunities range from home-daily local work to regional cycles and longer dedicated runs, giving experienced CDL-A holders several pathways throughout the year.

Location & Freight Market

Southeast Michigan’s automotive manufacturing base generates continuous movement of production materials. Major OEM operations and surrounding Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers create steady inbound and outbound component flows. Consolidation warehouses and sequencing facilities support just-in-time and sequenced deliveries. Primary corridors I-75, I-94 and I-96 link the industrial network across the region and into neighboring states. The combination of production schedules and dense supplier density keeps industrial freight active year-round, with volume shifts during model changeovers and holiday plant shutdowns that temporarily move capacity toward general industrial backhaul.

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