CDL-A Regional Dry Van Driver – Tampa, FL Southeast Freight Lanes
Hiring Radius: Southeast Regional
📍 Tampa, FL 🚚 Regional Dry Van ⚙️ Freightliner / Kenworth
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Terminal Location:
Tampa, Florida Area
Average Weekly Pay
$1,280–$1,690
Estimated Annual:
$66,560–$87,880
Sign-on Bonus: $1,000
Home Time: Home Most Weekends
Driver Type: Regional Dry Van
Weekly Miles: 2,050–2,600
Freight: Palletized Dry Van
Equipment: Freightliner Cascadia, Kenworth T680
Experience: 6+ Months Preferred
Inside This Tampa Regional Dry Van Account
A mid-sized regional trucking company serving customers throughout Florida and the Southeast is hiring experienced CDL-A Regional Dry Van Drivers based out of the Tampa, Florida area. This position supports retail distribution, consumer products, food packaging, paper goods, building supplies, e-commerce fulfillment, and light manufacturing freight.
- Haul palletized dry van freight on scheduled regional routes
- Perform drop-and-hook, live load, and live unload operations
- Complete pre-trip, en-route, and post-trip DOT inspections
- Verify trailer numbers, seals, and shipping paperwork
- Communicate load status and delays through onboard systems
- Maintain accurate electronic logs and HOS compliance
Drivers operate assigned tractors on regional Southeast lanes with most weekends at home. The position requires physical activity including entering/exiting the tractor, opening trailer doors, and handling securement equipment up to 50 pounds when necessary while complying with all DOT and company safety regulations.
Pay Breakdown
Compensation is based on verified experience and safety record with additional pay for qualifying delays.
Base Rate $0.60–$0.65 CPM
Typical Weekly Miles 2,050 low / 2,350 typical / 2,600 strong
Typical Weekly Gross $1,280–$1,690
Detention Pay $30 per hour after 2 hours
Layover Pay $150 per qualifying overnight
Why Drivers Choose This Regional Account
- Consistent Southeast freight lanes reduce long empty moves
- Most weekends at home with 2–4 nights out per trip
- Mix of drop-and-hook and live load/unload keeps operations varied
- Dispatch plans ahead but adjusts for real freight conditions
- Modern safety systems on assigned tractors
- Practical maintenance and roadside support throughout the region
Driver Benefits & Support
Benefits focus on regional drivers working Southeast routes.
Medical, Dental, Vision Available after eligibility period
401(k) With company match
Paid Orientation One-day at Tampa terminal
Rider Program After eligibility requirements
Fuel Card & EZPass/PrePass Provided for company equipment
Paid Vacation & Holidays Recognized company holidays
Equipment & Daily Operations
Tractors Freightliner Cascadia (2022–2025), Kenworth T680 (2021–2024)
Sleeper 72-inch sleeper cabs with modern safety systems
Trailers 53-foot Wabash and Great Dane dry vans (2019–2024)
Fleet Age Averages 3–5 years
Maintenance Preventive scheduling through Tampa facilities and approved vendors
Drivers inspect trailers for condition, securement devices, seals, and numbers before departure. Preventive maintenance is coordinated around home time schedules. Roadside assistance is available 24/7 through the maintenance department.
Home Time Schedule
Typical Pattern Home most weekends, every 5–7 days
Nights Out 2–4 nights per trip
Return Routing Routed back through Tampa terminal before weekends when possible
Requests Submitted in advance and accommodated when operationally practical
Real Routes & Operating Area
Freight moves between Tampa area distribution centers and major Southeast markets with backhauls from Georgia, Alabama, and the Carolinas.
Operating Area Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee
Radius 250–700 miles from Tampa
Primary Corridors I-75, I-4, I-275, I-85, I-95, I-10, I-65
Weekly Miles 2,050–2,600 paid miles
Outbound freight originates from warehouse districts near Seffner, Lakeland, Plant City, and eastern Hillsborough County. Common lanes include Tampa to Atlanta via I-75, Tampa to Charlotte via I-75/I-85, and Tampa to Birmingham. Backhauls come from Atlanta, Savannah, Jacksonville, and Charlotte distribution centers.
Driver Requirements
The company seeks drivers who can manage regional Southeast operations safely and professionally.
CDL Valid Class A CDL
Experience Minimum 6 months verifiable CDL-A preferred
MVR & Screening Acceptable Motor Vehicle Record, pass DOT drug screen
Medical Current DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate
Physical Lift up to 50 pounds for securement equipment, climb, inspect
Hiring Process
Qualified applicants typically receive an initial recruiter call within one business day.
Step 1 Recruiter conversation reviewing experience and expectations
Step 2 CDL, MVR, employment verification, Clearinghouse query
Step 3 Drug screen and background review
Step 4 One-day paid orientation at Tampa terminal
Complete process usually takes 5–8 business days. First dispatch follows orientation and equipment assignment.
A Typical Work Week
Workweeks begin with dispatch confirming the first outbound load the day or evening before departure. Most departures leave the Tampa terminal between 4:30 AM and 8:00 AM after pre-trip inspection.
Morning Pickup from Tampa area DCs or live load
Transit Outbound to Georgia, Alabama, or Carolinas
Reloads Assigned from Southeast hubs when possible
End of Week Return to Tampa terminal by Friday or Saturday
Drivers complete two to four regional loads with reloads from major hubs while managing traffic around Tampa, Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Charlotte.
Location & Freight Market
Based in Tampa, Florida, this position operates within the strong Central Florida logistics market, supported by the Port of Tampa Bay, regional distribution centers, manufacturing, and retail supply chains.
Drivers in this role transport palletized consumer goods, paper products, packaging, and retail freight between distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, and warehouses throughout Florida and the Southeast. The freight network benefits from steady outbound volume from Central Florida suppliers and consistent backhaul opportunities.
The operation utilizes major transportation corridors including I-75, I-4, I-275, I-85, I-95, and I-10, connecting Tampa with Atlanta, Charlotte, Birmingham, Jacksonville, and other Southeast hubs.
Drivers should expect real-world freight conditions including dock congestion at distribution centers, appointment scheduling, traffic around major interchanges, and seasonal retail volume increases.
Primary Freight Markets
- Atlanta, GA — Major distribution and manufacturing backhaul origin
- Charlotte, NC — Retail and consumer goods distribution hub
- Jacksonville, FL — Logistics gateway with strong warehouse activity
- Birmingham, AL — Manufacturing and industrial freight flows
Operating Area
Typical operating radius: 250–700 air miles from Tampa, covering Florida and multiple Southeast states.
Operational Realities
Regional freight operations involve variable conditions common throughout the Southeast. Dispatch works to maximize efficiency while drivers manage real-world factors affecting transit and delivery.
Traffic & Construction
Interchanges around Tampa, Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Charlotte can add transit time, especially during weekday peaks and construction periods.
Dock & Appointment Variability
Live loads at manufacturing facilities and distribution centers may involve waiting depending on production schedules and staffing.
Weather in the Southeast
Summer storms in Florida and variable conditions across the region affect driving and scheduling.
Reload Planning
Subsequent loads are assigned based on real-time freight availability rather than fixed schedules.
Professional Perspective:
These conditions reflect standard regional dry van operations across the Southeast. Experienced drivers who communicate effectively with dispatch and adapt to changing freight, traffic, and customer situations maintain strong productivity in this market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often do drivers get home on this regional account? A: Most weekends, typically every 5–7 days with 2–4 nights out per trip.
Q: What percentage of loads are drop-and-hook? A: Approximately 55% drop-and-hook, with the remainder live load or unload.
Q: What experience level is needed? A: Minimum 6 months verifiable CDL-A preferred; recent graduates may qualify with training.
Q: Are there detention or layover payments? A: Yes, $30/hour detention after 2 hours and $150 layover pay when qualifying.
Q: What freight lanes are most common? A: Tampa to Atlanta, Charlotte, Birmingham, and backhauls from Southeast hubs.
Who This Position Fits Best
This regional dry van account works well for experienced CDL-A drivers who prefer Southeast lanes over long-haul coast-to-coast runs and value predictable weekend home time. Drivers comfortable managing variable reloads, appointment windows, and mixed drop-and-hook/live operations tend to do well here. The mix of retail distribution, consumer goods, and manufacturing freight provides steady volume without the extended time away typical of OTR positions. Professional drivers who communicate clearly with dispatch and maintain strong HOS discipline appreciate the balance of miles, home time, and operational support in the Tampa market.
