CDL-A Regional Consumer Goods Driver Jobs in Minneapolis, MN
Hiring Radius: Minneapolis–St. Paul Distribution Market
📍 Minneapolis, MN 🚚 Regional Dry Van ⚙️ Late-Model Equipment
● Terminal Location: Minneapolis Terminal
Average Weekly Pay
$1,450–$1,850
Estimated Annual: $75,000–$96,000
Sign-on Bonus: $2,000
Home Time: Home Every Weekend or Every Other Weekend
Driver Type: Regional Dry Van
Job Snapshot
Weekly Pay Target $1,450–$1,850
Mileage Rate $0.60–$0.67 CPM
Weekly Miles 2,200–2,600 Miles
Home Frequency Home Every Weekend or Every Other Weekend
Detention Pay $22/hour after 2 hours
Stop Pay $30 per stop
Freight Touch Level Primarily No-Touch Palletized
Run Territory MN, WI, IA, SD, ND, Northern IL
Position Overview
A mid-sized regional dry van carrier is hiring experienced CDL-A Regional Consumer Goods Drivers based out of the Minneapolis–St. Paul distribution market. This position supports retail distribution networks serving Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota and portions of northern Illinois.
Freight primarily consists of palletized consumer goods moving between regional distribution centers, retail replenishment warehouses, and third-party logistics facilities. Drivers generally spend one to three nights away from home depending on freight cycles and return through the Minneapolis terminal several times each week.
Hiring Corridor: Primary lanes originate around Minneapolis servicing high-priority shipping hubs across major interstates including I-94, I-35 and I-90.
Pay Breakdown & Earnings Structure
Transparent compensation based on the following structure for this regional position.
Target Weekly Earnings Average $1,450–$1,850 gross per week.
Base Rate Mileage pay at $0.60–$0.67 CPM depending on experience. Average 2,200–2,600 miles weekly.
Detention Pay $22 per hour after 2 hours once approved by dispatch.
Stop Pay $30 per additional stop.
Breakdown Pay $150 per day after qualifying delay.
Sign-On Bonus $2,000 paid in installments over six months.
Quarterly Safety Bonus Up to $350.
Annual Performance Incentive Up to $1,000.
Orientation Paid orientation.
Why Drivers Choose This Account
- Consistent Upper Midwest regional freight with predictable weekly mileage.
- Regular reload opportunities in Milwaukee, Des Moines, Fargo and other points reducing empty miles.
- Practical mix of late-model tractors including Freightliner Cascadia, Volvo VNL 760 and Kenworth T680.
- Home every weekend or every other weekend depending on freight demand.
- Structured but flexible dispatch that responds to customer changes, weather and seasonal fluctuations.
- Fleet manager communication regarding appointment delays, maintenance and route adjustments.
Equipment & Fleet Specifications
The fleet consists of a practical mix of late-model and proven equipment typical of a regional carrier.
Tractor Makes & Models: Freightliner Cascadia (2021–2024), Volvo VNL 760 (2020–2023), Kenworth T680 (2020–2022)
Configuration: Mix of mid-roof and sleeper tractors with 72-inch sleepers for regional overnight trips, automatic transmissions, Detroit and Cummins powertrains, air ride suspension
Trailer Type: 53' dry van trailers (Great Dane, Wabash, Utility) ranging from approximately 3 to 8 years old with logistics posts, load bars, cargo straps, swing doors and air ride suspension
Driver Technology: Samsara ELD, Qualcomm onboard communications, electronic DVIR, forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control on newer units, outward-facing cameras
Equipment Support: Assigned tractor whenever freight volume permits, company maintenance shop near Minneapolis terminal, preventive maintenance scheduled around home time, 24-hour roadside assistance
Home Time Frequency & Time Off
Drivers are generally home every weekend or every other weekend depending on freight demand.
Home Time Frequency: Home every weekend or every other weekend
Work Schedule: 5-day workweek with 1–3 overnight trips weekly
Reset: 34-hour reset typically completed at home
Requests: Home time requests reviewed through fleet manager whenever freight allows
Real Routes Our Drivers Take
Typical regional freight lanes include Minneapolis to Fargo, Des Moines, Milwaukee, Sioux Falls, Rockford and Eau Claire.
Operating Area: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, portions of northern Illinois
Major Highways: I-94, I-35W, I-35E, I-90, US-52, I-694, I-494
Key Origins: Minneapolis, Eagan, Shakopee, Rogers, Maple Grove
License & Driver Requirements
CDL License: Valid CDL Class A license
Experience: Minimum 12 months of recent tractor-trailer experience. Dry van regional experience preferred.
Record: Acceptable MVR and safety record. Clearinghouse eligibility.
Physical: Ability to pass DOT physical and drug screening. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
Skills: Ability to perform trailer inspections, secure freight when necessary, and use ELD systems and electronic paperwork.
Hiring Process
Qualified applicants typically receive an initial recruiter call within one business day of submitting an application. During the first conversation, recruiters review recent driving experience, preferred home time, work history and account expectations.
Applicants moving forward complete CDL verification, MVR review, previous employer safety history verification and required DOT drug screening. An FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse query is completed before a final offer can be issued. Most background and employment verification is completed within three to five business days.
Orientation generally lasts one to two days at the Minneapolis terminal and includes safety procedures, ELD instruction, equipment familiarization and customer-specific operating practices. Orientation time is paid. Drivers should provide a valid CDL, medical certificate, employment history information, identification documents and any applicable endorsements during onboarding. Most newly hired drivers receive their first regional dispatch within one to three days after orientation, depending on equipment availability and scheduled freight.
A Typical Day on This Account
Dispatch generally releases the first load the afternoon before departure. Most Mondays begin with a pickup from a Minneapolis-area distribution center before heading toward Wisconsin, Iowa or the Dakotas. Drivers commonly complete one outbound delivery followed by a reload arranged near another logistics park before returning toward Minnesota.
Typical dispatch windows begin between 5:00 AM and 8:00 AM, although overnight departures occur when customer appointments require early deliveries. Drivers normally start from the Minneapolis terminal or a nearby drop yard where preloaded trailers are staged.
Not every day follows the original dispatch plan. Customer inventory changes, trailer availability or weather conditions frequently require route adjustments during the week. Warehouse delays vary by customer. Most drivers return through the Minneapolis terminal once or twice during the week for inspections, preventive maintenance or trailer exchanges.
Freight Specifications
Consumer goods freight includes household products, paper goods, packaged retail merchandise, seasonal promotional inventory, small appliances, personal care products, store replenishment freight and general palletized dry freight.
Primary customers include retail distribution centers, third-party logistics providers, wholesale distributors, regional warehouse operators and consumer products manufacturers.
Freight Mix: 40% drop & hook, 35% live unload, 25% live load. Most trips include one delivery, with occasional multi-stop loads.
Dispatch Philosophy & Driver Support
Regional planners typically schedule freight 24 to 48 hours in advance, although adjustments occur throughout the day as customer requirements change. Drivers receive dispatch information through the onboard communications system, followed by confirmation from their assigned fleet manager.
The dispatch team monitors appointment changes, reload opportunities, weather conditions, driver available hours, trailer availability and customer detention. When delays occur, dispatch coordinates revised appointments whenever possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the home time frequency on this account? A: Home every weekend or every other weekend depending on freight demand.
Q: What equipment configurations do drivers run? A: Freightliner Cascadia, Volvo VNL 760 and Kenworth T680 tractors with 53' dry van trailers.
Q: What is the mileage pay rate? A: $0.60–$0.67 CPM depending on experience.
Q: What is the required experience? A: Minimum 12 months of recent tractor-trailer experience.
Q: What detention pay is offered? A: $22 per hour after 2 hours.
Career Opportunities
This regional consumer goods position suits CDL-A drivers seeking consistent Upper Midwest operations rather than long-haul runs. The role features steady retail distribution freight with regular reload opportunities across established lanes connecting Minneapolis-area distribution centers to regional points in Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas.
Drivers manage palletized freight through a network where inventory forecasting, seasonal promotions and retailer demand drive dispatch decisions. The operation requires attention to appointment schedules, paperwork accuracy and adaptation to occasional route adjustments while staying within a defined regional territory. Fleet managers coordinate maintenance and dispatch support through the same platform used for load planning.
CDL-A Truck Driving Jobs in Minneapolis, MN
The Minneapolis–St. Paul area serves as one of the Upper Midwest's largest freight hubs due to its concentration of consumer products distribution, food manufacturing, medical products, retail headquarters, and access to major interstate corridors including I-35, I-94 and I-90. Regional freight demand remains steady throughout the year, with additional volume during back-to-school, holiday retail seasons and winter inventory replenishment.
CDL-A Regional Dry Van opportunities in this market allow drivers to operate within familiar Upper Midwest lanes while returning frequently to the Minneapolis terminal. Consumer goods freight moves between regional distribution centers, retail replenishment warehouses, and third-party logistics facilities along predictable corridors. Professional truck drivers in Minnesota benefit from the area's strong logistics infrastructure supporting consistent mileage and reload availability.
Class A CDL drivers searching for regional positions in Minneapolis find operations that balance scheduled appointments with the flexibility needed to handle weather events common to the Upper Midwest. The network of distribution facilities around Minneapolis, Eagan, Shakopee and surrounding areas creates ongoing freight movement connecting to key points such as Milwaukee, Des Moines, Fargo and Sioux Falls.
