Regional CDL-A Position Dry Van
CDL-A Regional Northeast Dry Van Driver – New York City, NY
Hiring Area: NYC Metro & Northern New Jersey • Terminal: NYC / Northern New Jersey Distribution Network
New York City, NY Regional Northeast 53' Dry Van
Run scheduled dry-van freight between NYC-area distribution points and recurring Northeast markets in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and eastern New York. Typical loads are palletized consumer goods, packaged food, paper products, retail freight and general merchandise.
Typical Weekly Gross
$1,600–$1,800
Typical Annual: $88,400
Typical Weekly $1,700
Sign-On Bonus $1,000
Home Time Weekly
Weekly Miles 2,250–2,550
Freight Type Dry Van
This is a regional company-driver position built around recurring warehouse-to-warehouse freight rather than long-haul OTR dispatch.
- Pulls 53' dry vans between NYC-area distribution yards and Northeast customers.
- Handles palletized food, consumer goods, retail and paper freight.
- Completes mostly one to three load movements per day.
- Checks seals, bills of lading, trailer condition and pallet counts.
- Runs ELD/HOS records and electronic DVIRs throughout the trip.
- Works with dispatch when appointment times or reloads change.
- Returns to the NYC/NJ operating area for the weekly home-time cycle.
Mileage-based regional pay is built around approximately 2,250–2,550 paid miles per week. The normal target is about $1,700 gross before any qualifying accessorial pay.
Base CPM $0.70 per paid mile
Typical Weekly Gross $1,700
Weekly Gross Range $1,600–$1,800
Typical Annual $88,400
Detention $25/hour after 2 hours when approved
Sign-On Bonus $1,000 ($500 after 30 days + $500 after 90 days)
Payroll Weekly direct deposit
Home Time Weekly; normally home for the weekend
Operating Area NYC, Northern NJ, eastern PA, CT and eastern NY
Typical Trip Length 300–600 miles per regional movement
Weekly Miles 2,250–2,550 paid miles
Typical Start 4:00–8:00 AM depending on appointment
Nights Out Usually 1–2 nights per week
Tractors Freightliner Cascadia & Kenworth T680
Model Years Primarily 2021–2024, with some older units
Configuration Sleeper tractor, tandem axle, air ride
Transmission Mostly automated manual / automatic
Safety Technology ELD, electronic DVIR, forward camera, collision mitigation and lane-departure systems on selected units
Trailer 53' dry van, mixed 2019–2024 fleet
Assignment Assigned tractor when practical; controlled slip-seat possible
Trailers are standard dry vans with logistic posts, load bars/load locks and swing doors. Drivers are expected to check tires, lights, air system, trailer condition, seal and cargo security before leaving each facility.
Freight is primarily palletized consumer and distribution cargo moving between established warehouse markets.
- Kearny / Newark, NJ → Bronx, Queens or Brooklyn
- Elizabeth, NJ → New Haven, CT
- Newark, NJ → Hartford, CT
- Allentown, PA → Northern New Jersey / NYC area
- Carlisle, PA → Newark / Elizabeth, NJ
- Bronx / Queens → Newburgh, NY or eastern New York
- Brooklyn / Queens → Connecticut distribution points
Common corridors include I-95, I-80, I-78, I-287, New Jersey Turnpike, I-84 and the NYC truck-route network. Exact dispatch changes with appointments, reloads and available trailers.
- Driver receives the first load and appointment details before departure.
- Pre-trip includes tractor, trailer, seal, tires, lights and cargo-security checks.
- First movement is often NYC/NJ to PA or CT rather than long-haul OTR.
- Live unloads generally take 1–2 hours; drop-and-hook is used when available.
- Driver confirms POD, detention and trailer status before leaving each facility.
- Reload is commonly arranged from the same regional freight market.
- Most weeks include one or two nights out before returning to the NYC area.
About the Carrier
This operation represents a mid-sized regional dry-van fleet serving the New York metropolitan distribution market. The freight mix is centered on palletized consumer goods, packaged food, retail merchandise, paper products and general warehouse freight rather than specialized or hazardous cargo. Loads are staged through NYC-area and Northern New Jersey distribution facilities, with recurring runs into eastern Pennsylvania, Connecticut and eastern New York. The dispatch model is regional: drivers may handle a morning pickup, complete a delivery, then receive a reload from another nearby warehouse rather than waiting for a long-haul dispatch. Equipment is maintained through the terminal network and approved repair vendors, while dispatch and maintenance coordinate roadside service when equipment issues occur.
Health Coverage Medical, dental and vision options for eligible employees
Retirement 401(k) with employer match; plan terms apply
Orientation Paid orientation and regional route familiarization
Parking & Tolls Authorized tolls and approved terminal parking handled under company policy
Driver Support Roadside coordination, maintenance support and electronic logging support
Time Off Paid time off and holidays according to company policy
- Valid Class A CDL and current DOT medical qualification.
- 6 months recent verifiable tractor-trailer experience preferred.
- Acceptable MVR and safety history with no recent major preventable violations.
- Pass pre-employment drug screen and Clearinghouse review.
- Comfortable operating a 53' trailer through NYC, NJ and Northeast interstate traffic.
- Ability to manage ELD/HOS records, BOLs, PODs and basic cargo-security procedures.
- Cross Bronx, George Washington Bridge and NJ Turnpike congestion can change arrival times.
- BQE traffic can materially affect Brooklyn pickups and deliveries.
- Warehouse gates and live-load docks may add 1–2 hours to a scheduled move.
- NYC truck-route restrictions can limit shortcut options around local congestion.
- Winter weather can affect I-80, I-78, I-84 and northern Northeast lanes.
- Holiday retail volume can increase appointment and trailer pressure.
1
Application
Submit CDL and recent driving history
2
Recruiter Screen
Review routes, pay and home-time expectations
3
Verification
MVR, employment, CDL and Clearinghouse review
4
Orientation
DOT requirements, equipment and first dispatch
Q: How often will I be home? ▼
The normal schedule is weekly home time, with most drivers returning to the NYC/Northern New Jersey area for the weekend. One or two nights out during the workweek is typical.
Q: What states does this regional job cover? ▼
The core operating area is New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, with selected freight into eastern New York.
Q: What type of freight will I haul? ▼
Typical dry-van freight includes packaged food, consumer goods, retail merchandise, paper products, household products and general palletized warehouse freight.
Q: Is this mostly drop-and-hook? ▼
Approximately 45–55% of regular moves may be drop-and-hook depending on the customer and terminal. The remainder can involve live loading or unloading, normally taking about 1–2 hours.
Q: Do I need a HazMat endorsement? ▼
No HazMat endorsement is normally required for the standard dry-van freight assigned to this position.
Q: How much can I realistically make each week? ▼
The normal target is approximately $1,700 gross per week based on around 2,250–2,550 paid miles. Weekly results generally fall in the $1,600–$1,800 range before approved accessorial pay.
Q: How long does hiring usually take? ▼
A qualified applicant can generally move through the process in about 5–10 business days, depending on MVR, employment verification, Clearinghouse and orientation scheduling.
The New York metropolitan area supports a large regional trucking market built around warehouses, retail distribution, food supply, manufacturing and port-related freight. For CDL-A drivers, regional dry-van work occupies the middle ground between local city driving and long-haul OTR: loads commonly move between Northern New Jersey, NYC-area facilities, eastern Pennsylvania, Connecticut and the Hudson Valley. The work requires more urban driving than many suburban regional positions because drivers may enter the five boroughs for pickup or delivery. NYC also has a formal Truck Route Network that affects how tractor-trailers move through the city, while most parkways are restricted for commercial vehicles. Drivers who prefer weekly home time can therefore find opportunities based on recurring Northeast distribution lanes rather than coast-to-coast dispatch.
This job sits inside the freight network connecting NYC with Northern New Jersey and the broader Mid-Atlantic and New England distribution markets. Northern New Jersey provides major warehouse and intermodal activity around Newark, Elizabeth and Kearny, while NYC generates dense consumer freight through the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn. Typical regional dry-van movements use I-95, I-80, I-78, I-287, I-84 and the New Jersey Turnpike before entering or leaving the city through established truck corridors. Inside NYC, drivers must follow the applicable Local and Through Truck Route Network rather than simply taking the fastest passenger-car route. The BQE is also an important regional freight connection between Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan. These conditions make the position a practical fit for drivers comfortable with Northeast traffic, tight urban access and appointment-based warehouse freight.