CDL-A Regional Dry Van Driver – Orlando, FL
Hiring Radius: Central Florida
📍 Orlando, FL 🚚 Regional Dry Van ⚙️ 53' Dry Van
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Terminal Location:
Orlando Terminal
Average Weekly Pay
$1,390–$1,610
Estimated Annual:
$79,040
Sign-on Bonus: $1,000
Home Time: Weekly
Driver Type: Regional Dry Van
Weekly Miles: 2,150–2,450
Freight: Palletized Dry Van
Equipment: Freightliner Cascadia / Kenworth T680
Experience: 6+ months preferred
Regional Dry Van Position Overview
A confidential regional transportation and logistics company is hiring experienced CDL-A drivers for a Regional Dry Van operation based in the Orlando, Florida market. This position supports year-round freight moving between Central Florida distribution centers and major retail, consumer goods, food packaging, manufacturing, and e-commerce facilities throughout the Southeast.
- Operate 53-foot dry van trailers on regional routes throughout Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
- Perform pre-trip, en-route, and post-trip inspections documented through Samsara DVIR system.
- Verify trailer numbers, seal numbers, bill of lading information, and shipping documentation.
- Manage customer appointment windows and communicate delays to dispatch via Samsara messaging.
- Maintain accurate electronic logs and Hours-of-Service compliance.
- Coordinate with warehouse personnel during pickup and delivery operations.
This is a regional position requiring safe operation of sleeper tractors with 53-foot dry van trailers in Southeast traffic conditions. Drivers receive weekly home time returning through the Orlando terminal with consistent dispatch and established customer freight.
Pay Breakdown
Compensation is mileage-based with additional pay for qualifying detention. Actual earnings vary depending on weekly mileage, freight availability, detention events, weather conditions, customer scheduling, Hours-of-Service utilization, and dispatch assignments.
Base Mileage Rate $0.60–$0.65 CPM (6–24 months: $0.60; 2+ years: $0.62–$0.65)
Typical Weekly Earnings $1,390–$1,610 per week (2,150–2,450 miles at average $0.63–$0.64 CPM)
Detention Pay $22 per hour after 90 minutes at customer facilities
Sign-on Bonus $1,000 ($300 after 30 days, $300 after 90 days, $400 after 180 days)
Safety Recognition Up to $1,000 annually (quarterly, based on accident-free performance and compliance)
Why Drivers Choose This Regional Position
- Steady year-round freight from Central Florida distribution centers supporting retail, consumer goods, and e-commerce.
- Weekly home time with most drivers returning through the Orlando terminal after 2–3 nights away.
- Primarily no-touch palletized dry van freight with minimal physical handling.
- Modern late-model equipment including Freightliner Cascadia and Kenworth T680 tractors.
- Practical dispatch support focused on minimizing empty miles through backhaul planning.
- Samsara ELD with integrated messaging and DVIR reporting for efficient communication.
Driver Benefits & Company Advantages
The benefits package supports drivers in a regional dry van operation with consistent Southeast freight.
Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance with employee contribution options
Retirement Plan 401(k) with company matching after eligibility
Paid Time Off Paid vacation accrued per company service policy and paid holidays
Orientation Paid orientation and safety onboarding at Orlando terminal
Rider Program Available after introductory employment period per company policy
Other Support Annual DOT physical reimbursement, company fuel cards, toll management, driver referral incentive
Equipment & Fleet
Tractors Freightliner Cascadia (2022–2025), Kenworth T680 (2021–2024)
Sleeper Configuration 70-inch sleeper cabs, tandem axle
Transmissions Automatic DT12 and PACCAR automated transmissions
Safety Systems Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, Electronic Stability Control, Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, exterior-facing dash cameras
ELD Platform Samsara ELD with integrated messaging, DVIR reporting, document scanning and GPS routing
Trailers 53-foot dry van trailers with air ride suspension, swing doors, logistic posts
Trailer Age Approximately 3–8 years
Operational Realities
Dock & Appointment Delays
Live load and live unload facilities vary. Average dock time for live freight ranges from one to two hours. Delays beyond 90 minutes may occur during holiday surges or weather disruptions.
Traffic & Construction
Morning congestion on I-4, I-75, and I-95. Construction zones and afternoon thunderstorms across Florida can shift delivery times.
Dispatch Adjustments
Daily assignments may change based on customer shipping schedules, available reloads, weather, and freight demand.
Backhaul Planning
Reload opportunities finalized while shipments are in transit across Atlanta, Savannah, Birmingham, Charlotte, Jacksonville, and Lakeland markets.
Home Time
Home Time Frequency Weekly with most drivers returning through the Orlando terminal
Nights Away 2–3 nights most weeks depending on dispatch planning and customer appointments
Weekend Home Time Common but not guaranteed at the exact same hour each week
34-Hour Reset Normally completed at home whenever possible
Real Routes Our Drivers Take
Regional lanes connecting Central Florida distribution centers with Southeast markets.
Primary Operating Region Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee
Operating Radius 250–700 miles from Orlando
Typical Weekly Miles 2,150–2,450 paid miles
Freight Movement Outbound from Central Florida distribution centers with backhauls from Southeast markets
Drivers run lanes such as Orlando to Atlanta via Florida Turnpike and I-75, Orlando to Savannah via I-95, Orlando to Birmingham via I-75/I-10/I-65, and Orlando to Charlotte via I-4/I-95/I-26/I-77. Reloads are common from Atlanta, Lakeland, Jacksonville, Savannah, Charlotte, and Birmingham areas. Approximately 55% drop & hook, 25% live load, 20% live unload.
Requirements
Valid Class A CDL with minimum 6 months verifiable experience preferred.
CDL Valid Class A Commercial Driver License
Experience Minimum 6 months verifiable CDL-A tractor-trailer experience preferred
MVR & Screening Acceptable Motor Vehicle Record, stable employment history, pass DOT drug screen and physical
Other Current DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate, ability to use ELDs and complete inspections
Hiring Process
Most qualified applicants receive an initial recruiter phone call within one business day.
Initial Contact Recruiter phone call reviewing experience, history, and availability
Verification CDL validation, MVR review, employment verification, Clearinghouse, drug screen
Orientation One full day at Orlando terminal including safety, ELD, road evaluation
First Dispatch Typically within five to ten days of application
Provide valid CDL-A, DOT Medical Certificate, employment history, and work eligibility documentation.
Typical Work Week
Work week begins with dispatch reviewing freight availability the day before departure. Most departures from Orlando area between 4:30 AM and 8:00 AM.
Start of Day Inspect assigned tractor and trailer at terminal or drop yard
Load Process Proceed to shipper for live load or drop & hook per appointment
En Route Monitor HOS, communicate progress, report delays via Samsara
Delivery & Reload Complete delivery, verify documents, receive next assignment from dispatch
Drivers complete two to four regional loads per week. Dispatch adjusts for traffic, weather, and customer changes. 34-hour reset typically at home.
Freight Details
Freight Type Palletized consumer goods, packaged food products, paper products, beverages, retail merchandise, building supplies
Freight Handling Primarily no-touch. Drivers responsible for seal verification, load bars when required, and paperwork
Load Mix 55% drop & hook, 25% live load, 20% live unload
Dock & Delivery Process
Drivers check in at security gate with appointment information, trailer and tractor numbers. Verify seals and documentation before departure.
Drop-and-hook typically 30–60 minutes. Live load/unload averages 1–2 hours. Collect signed bills of lading and proof of delivery after service.
Orlando Terminal Information
Drivers return through the Orlando terminal for home time. Secured parking available for tractors and trailers.
Terminal Operations Equipment inspections, maintenance coordination, and dispatch planning occur at the Orlando terminal.
Challenges of the Job
Every CDL-A driving position comes with responsibilities beyond simply operating a commercial vehicle. Freight schedules, customer requirements, weather, traffic conditions, and federal regulations all influence the daily workflow. While dispatch works to maximize efficiency, professional drivers should expect occasional operational challenges that are common throughout the trucking industry.
Traffic & Congestion
Morning congestion around Orlando, Atlanta, and Jacksonville. Construction on I-4, I-75, and I-95 can require route adjustments.
Dock Delays
Live load and unload facilities vary with wait times of one to two hours. Detention applies after 90 minutes.
Weather Impacts
Afternoon thunderstorms across Florida and seasonal hurricane preparation periods affect scheduling.
Dispatch Flexibility
Assignments may change based on customer schedules, reload availability, and backhaul opportunities.
Professional Perspective:
These working conditions are typical across the U.S. trucking industry and should not be viewed as disadvantages unique to this position. Experienced CDL-A drivers understand that successful operations depend on flexibility, safe decision-making, and effective communication with dispatch and customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the home time on this regional account? A: Weekly through Orlando terminal with 2–3 nights away most weeks.
Q: What equipment will I operate? A: Freightliner Cascadia or Kenworth T680 with 70" sleepers and Samsara ELD.
Q: Is the freight mostly no-touch? A: Yes, primarily palletized dry van freight with drivers handling seals and paperwork.
Q: What experience is needed? A: Minimum 6 months verifiable CDL-A experience preferred.
Q: What are typical weekly miles? A: 2,150–2,450 paid miles.
Who This Regional Position Fits
This regional dry van position best suits experienced CDL-A drivers seeking consistent Southeast freight out of Orlando without extended OTR time away from home. Drivers comfortable with dynamic dispatch planning, backhaul reloads, and Southeast traffic patterns will find the operation matches steady regional mileage expectations. The primarily no-touch palletized freight and weekly home time through the Orlando terminal support work-life balance for drivers who prefer predictable returns over fixed dedicated routes. Professional drivers skilled at appointment management, ELD compliance, and clear communication with dispatch will maintain productivity across varying lane assignments from Central Florida to Atlanta, Savannah, Birmingham, and Charlotte markets.
CDL-A Regional Dry Van Driver Jobs in Orlando, FL
Central Florida's position as a major inland distribution hub creates steady demand for CDL-A regional dry van drivers based in Orlando. Retail replenishment, consumer goods, e-commerce fulfillment, and food distribution networks generate consistent freight volumes moving throughout the Southeast.
Operations utilize major corridors such as Florida Turnpike, I-4, I-75, and I-95 connecting Orlando distribution centers with Atlanta, Savannah, Birmingham, and Charlotte markets. Drivers manage appointments, trailer exchanges, and backhaul reloads across these lanes while complying with Hours-of-Service requirements.
The position features mileage pay averaging $1,390–$1,610 weekly with 2,150–2,450 miles, weekly home time, and late-model Freightliner Cascadia and Kenworth T680 tractors equipped with Samsara ELD. Freight is primarily palletized dry van cargo with high percentages of drop-and-hook opportunities.
Year-round freight activity in the Orlando market is supported by retail, manufacturing, and logistics facilities. Holiday peaks and seasonal movements create additional opportunities while maintaining baseline volume from ongoing distribution needs.
Drivers with regional experience operating dry van equipment will find this operation aligns with preferences for Southeast lanes, regular home time, and practical dispatch support focused on efficient equipment utilization across Florida and neighboring states.
