Regional CDL-A Position Dry Van

CDL-A Regional Dry Van Driver

Hiring Area: Orlando, FL • Terminal: Orlando Area

Orlando, FL Southeast Regional Mostly 2021–2025

Haul general dry freight through Florida and the Southeast on regional lanes, averaging 2,400–2,600 paid miles with weekly home resets and typical gross of $1,500–$1,650.

Typical Weekly Gross
$1,500–$1,650
Estimated Annual: $83,200
Sign-On Bonus $1,000
Home Time Weekly home reset; typically 1–3 nights out
Driver Type Company Driver
Weekly Miles 2,400–2,600
Freight Type Dry Van

Position Overview

Regional dry-van work out of Orlando keeps the tractor moving between Central Florida distribution points and Southeast reload markets rather than locking into a single fixed shuttle.

  • Confirm pickup numbers, trailer numbers, seals, BOLs and POD paperwork at each stop.
  • Notify dispatch immediately of gate congestion, trailer shortages or detention events.
  • Perform thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections and report defects before rolling.
  • Stay inside HOS limits while meeting appointment windows across Florida and neighboring states.
  • Work professionally with warehouse staff, yard personnel, customers and maintenance.
  • Keep accurate ELD records and follow company and DOT safety procedures.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Mileage pay is based on $0.62 per paid mile, with qualifying detention paid separately at $25 per hour after free time.

Typical Weekly Gross $1,500–$1,650
Typical Annual Gross $83,200
Sign-On Bonus $1,000 paid in four installments ($250 at 30, 90, 180 and 365 days)
Detention $25/hour after applicable free time
Base Rate $0.62 per paid mile
Payroll Weekly direct deposit

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Home Time Weekly home reset; typically 1–3 nights out
Operating Corridor Florida and Southeast
Base Location Orlando-area terminal
Paid Miles 2,400–2,600 per week
Dispatch Approach Pre-planned loads with active mid-trip adjustments

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Tractor Age Mostly 2021–2025
Tractor Models Freightliner Cascadia and Kenworth T680 sleepers
Transmission Automatic
Safety & Cabin ELD, collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise where equipped; refrigerators and inverters on part of the fleet
Tractor Assignment Assigned when operationally practical

Trailers are primarily 53-foot dry vans, generally 3–7 years old, equipped with logistics posts, load bars and swing doors. Maintenance is handled through the company terminal/shop network and approved outside vendors; roadside breakdowns are coordinated by operations rather than left solely to the driver.

Real Routes

Most loads consist of palletized consumer products, retail merchandise, paper and packaging materials, and general industrial freight moving between distribution centers and reload points.

  • Frequent short-haul options run Orlando to Jacksonville, Tampa and Lakeland
  • Longer Southeast moves reach Savannah, Atlanta, Macon, Valdosta and Columbia
  • Primary highways include I-4, Florida’s Turnpike, I-95, I-75, I-10, I-16, I-20 and I-85
  • Jacksonville and the Tampa/Lakeland corridor regularly produce useful reloads
  • Dispatch looks for reload opportunities when available, although occasional empty repositioning can occur
  • Retail and holiday peaks raise volume; slower periods may shorten lanes or shift positioning

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • Loads are commonly assigned the prior evening, with pickup and reload details updated as freight becomes available
  • Check-in at the gate or shipping office confirms the appointment and either a drop-and-hook or live assignment
  • Drop-and-hook moves finish quickly; live operations typically run 45–120 minutes and can stretch longer in congestion
  • After delivery, dispatch evaluates the nearest practical reload rather than automatically sending the tractor empty
  • Overnight parking is planned at truck stops or approved yards—I-4 spots fill late in the evening
  • The weekly home reset returns the driver to the Orlando area when the dispatch cycle permits

About the Carrier

The operation runs regional dry-van freight out of the Orlando area, with regular customer volume moving through Florida, Georgia and nearby Southeast markets. Drivers generally work a mix of scheduled pickups, drop-and-hook moves and live appointments rather than a single fixed lane. Freight is predominantly no-touch and palletized. Dispatch balances available outbound loads with remaining HOS, appointment times and the driver’s next home-time commitment, keeping the tractor productive while still allowing a weekly reset in Central Florida.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Health Coverage Medical, dental and vision with employee contribution options
Retirement 401(k) with company contribution after eligibility
Paid Time Off Vacation/PTO based on tenure; holiday pay according to company policy
Additional Support Paid orientation, paid DOT physical renewal, EZPass/toll support for approved routes
Rider & Pet Rider program and pet policy subject to insurance and equipment restrictions

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL and current DOT medical certification
  • Approximately 6 months of recent CDL-A driving experience preferred
  • Acceptable MVR and driving history
  • Ability to meet applicable DOT and company safety requirements
  • Ability to operate a 53-foot dry van combination safely
  • Willingness to work 1–3 nights out each week and pass required DOT screening

Operational Delays

  • I-4 congestion, construction zones and heavy tourist traffic regularly affect arrival times
  • Morning appointment windows and retail peaks produce longer yard queues
  • Live docks can extend past the usual 45–120 minutes during warehouse congestion
  • Trailer availability can tighten when outbound volume is high
  • Summer thunderstorms, hurricane-related weather and holiday freight surges alter planned sequences

Hiring Process

1
Initial Contact
Recruiter call within one business day
2
Background Review
CDL, MVR, employment history and safety records
3
Screening
Pre-employment DOT drug screen and Clearinghouse query
4
Orientation & First Load
Paid orientation at Orlando terminal, then first dispatch (typically 5–10 business days)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much live loading or unloading should I expect? ▼
A substantial portion of the work is drop-and-hook, especially at larger distribution centers. Live operations still occur and normally run 45–120 minutes, longer during congestion.
Q: Are the routes fixed each week? ▼
No. The operation is regional rather than a fixed rotation. Dispatch changes lanes based on available freight, customer needs and traffic conditions.
Q: What happens if a planned backhaul disappears? ▼
Dispatch looks for the nearest practical reload. Occasional empty repositioning can still occur when no suitable freight is available.
Q: Is lumper service common? ▼
Some facilities require lumper services. Procedures vary by customer; drivers follow the specific location’s process.
Q: How is overnight parking handled? ▼
Terminal parking is limited. Drivers plan 10-hour breaks at established truck stops or approved yards. Spots along I-4 fill late in the evening, especially during peak travel periods.
Q: Who coordinates roadside breakdowns? ▼
Operations and maintenance handle coordination. Drivers report issues through company communication systems rather than managing repairs alone.

CDL Job Market

Orlando’s CDL-A market offers a clear split between local distribution, regional Southeast runs, dedicated accounts, LTL terminal work and longer OTR options. Regional dry-van roles sit in the middle—more miles than pure local shuttles yet still weekly home time. Competition is steady because national fleets, mid-sized regional carriers and dedicated operators all recruit from the same driver pool. Clean-record drivers with recent experience remain in demand, particularly those comfortable with 1–3 nights out. Hiring volume rises during retail peaks and the second half of the year when tourism and holiday freight increase capacity needs across Central Florida terminals.

Location & Freight Market

Central Florida’s freight flow is shaped by distribution density rather than heavy manufacturing. Warehouse clusters stretch along I-4 toward Lakeland, Davenport, Plant City and Tampa, while additional activity concentrates around Sanford, Apopka, Kissimmee and the airport corridor. Consumer products, packaged goods and retail merchandise move continuously between these facilities and northern reload points. Jacksonville serves as the primary gateway for freight heading into Georgia and the Carolinas. The interstate grid—I-4, I-95, I-75 and Florida’s Turnpike—supports efficient short-to-medium hauls. Seasonal tourism and holiday retail cycles produce predictable volume swings that keep regional dry-van capacity in regular demand.

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