🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Jacksonville, FL
- Route type: Regional
- Freight: Refrigerated (Produce, Frozen Foods, Grocery)
- Schedule: 5 days on / 2 off or 6/1 rotations
📋 Job Description
- Transport pre-cooled produce loads from Florida ag hubs to Southeast DCs
- Deliver frozen food and dairy freight across Georgia and Alabama corridors
- Handle grocery distribution center replenishment with drop-and-hook operations
- Monitor and maintain Thermo King reefer units during transit
- Complete 2-3 long-haul legs weekly with intermediate reloads
- Return to Jacksonville terminal for weekly reset and maintenance
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
Reefer experience preferred, 6+ months minimum
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record, no major violations
Physical
Able to climb, secure loads and work in varying temperatures
Endorsements
None required
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: Freightliner Cascadia with full sleeper cab
- Fleet average age: 2–4 years old
- Features: APU, Thermo King refrigeration units, live temperature tracking
- Transmission type: Automatic
- Maintenance program: Company shop with preventive maintenance schedule
🏠 Home Time
- Home weekly to Jacksonville terminal for reset
- Typical 5 days out with returns to base
- Occasional overnight layovers in Atlanta or Charlotte during peaks
- Predictable dispatch windows allow consistent planning
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Jacksonville, FL to Atlanta, GA via I-95 to I-75 (produce and grocery loads)
- Jacksonville to Orlando and Savannah with frozen food backhauls
- Jacksonville to Charlotte, NC and Birmingham, AL via I-95 and I-85 corridors
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How is pay calculated for these regional reefer runs?
Drivers are paid per mile with additional detention pay and accessorials. Most drivers average 2,000–2,800 miles weekly on Southeast lanes out of Jacksonville.
What does home time actually look like?
Most drivers return to the Jacksonville terminal weekly after completing their 5-6 day rotation. Occasional layovers occur in Atlanta or Charlotte when freight demands it.
Are loads no-touch or do drivers assist with unloading?
The majority of loads are drop-and-hook at distribution centers with live unloads rare. Produce and grocery freight is typically pre-cooled and ready for delivery.
How often are there dock delays in this operation?
Jacksonville-area DCs and Southeast hubs run efficient operations. Detention pay starts after two hours and most drivers report minimal wait times due to scheduled appointments.
What type of reefer experience is needed?
Previous experience with temperature-controlled freight is preferred. Training is available for drivers with solid dry van or reefer basics who can demonstrate safe handling of Thermo King units.
When do most runs start and what about night driving?
Dispatches typically begin in the late afternoon or early evening to align with produce and grocery schedules. Ability to run nights is required for optimal routing in the Southeast network.
💼 Career Opportunities
Jacksonville-based regional reefer drivers often progress into dedicated account roles with major grocery and foodservice shippers after building consistent performance. Many move into lead driver or driver trainer positions within the Southeast division. With strong safety records, opportunities open for safety coordinator or fleet supervisor roles at the terminal level. The expanding Southeast logistics network continues to create pathways into specialized refrigerated operations and multi-regional assignments. Drivers who demonstrate reliability frequently advance into higher-paying dedicated lanes or gain access to newer equipment priority programs. Long-term stability remains strong due to steady demand for temperature-controlled freight in Florida and neighboring states.
🔗 Regional Reefer Driver – Jacksonville, FL
CDL-A drivers in Jacksonville, Florida have strong opportunities in the regional reefer segment. This position hauls temperature-controlled produce, frozen foods, and grocery loads throughout the Southeast using I-95, I-75, and I-85 corridors. Based in Jacksonville, drivers typically run 2,000–2,800 miles per week with home time every week at the local terminal. The fleet features late-model Freightliner Cascadia tractors equipped with automatic transmissions, APUs, and modern Thermo King refrigeration units. New drivers can expect $1,600–$1,950 weekly pay plus a $1,500 sign-on bonus and quarterly safety incentives. Jacksonville’s position as a major port and agricultural gateway creates consistent freight volume from Florida farms and JAXPORT cold storage facilities to distribution centers in Atlanta, Orlando, Savannah, Charlotte, and Birmingham. Drop-and-hook operations keep downtime low while supporting reliable schedules.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for Regional Reefer Driver – Southeast Corridor in Jacksonville, FL.