Currently Hiring Regional Reefer Position

Regional CDL-A Reefer Driver Jobs in Lexington, KY

Hiring Area: Lexington & Neighboring States • Base: Lexington Area

Lexington, KY Regional Late-Model Sleepers

Regional refrigerated truckload from Lexington covering Kentucky, southern Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, and selected West Virginia lanes. Typical weekly gross $1,300–$1,700 with home time after 2–3 nights out. Temperature-controlled food, dairy, and frozen freight.

Weekly Gross
$1,300–$1,700
Annual Estimate: $67,600–$88,400
Sign-On Bonus $1,000 (eligibility applies)
Home Time Weekly · 2–3 nights out
Driver Type Solo Company Driver
Weekly Miles 2,000–2,500 paid
Freight Type Refrigerated

Position Overview

Regional refrigerated truckload operation based in the Lexington area, focused on food-distribution and temperature-sensitive freight across nearby states.

  • Maintain reefer setpoints and check unit operation before departure.
  • Monitor temperature alarms and report discrepancies to dispatch.
  • Verify seals and follow authorization procedures before breaking them.
  • Complete BOL/POD paperwork and record arrival and release times.
  • Coordinate live loads, drop-and-hook moves, and appointment changes.
  • Report equipment defects, traffic delays, and HOS limitations promptly.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Pay is calculated on dispatched miles. Detention and layover are available when the carrier’s written rules are met and times are documented.

Weekly Gross Range $1,300–$1,700
Mileage Rate $0.65–$0.68 per paid mile
Typical Week Example ≈ $1,485 at 2,250 miles × $0.66
Annual Estimate $67,600–$88,400 (52-week calculation)
Sign-On Bonus $1,000 subject to eligibility
Detention Available after qualifying wait time
Layover / Breakdown Per carrier policy
Pay Frequency Weekly

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Home Time Weekly after approximately 2–3 nights out
Operating Area Kentucky, southern Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, selected West Virginia
Base Lexington area
Weekly Miles 2,000–2,500 paid miles
Dispatch Style Mixed daytime and overnight starts
Weekend Work Possible during peak periods

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Tractors Freightliner Cascadia and International LT sleepers
Model Years Primarily recent late-model units
Transmission Mostly automated manual; some automatic
Trailers 53-ft refrigerated vans
Reefer Units Diesel-powered with electronic controls and alarms
Safety Features Collision mitigation, lane-departure alerts, adaptive cruise on equipped units
Monitoring ELD, GPS, temperature reporting
Assignment Assigned tractor preferred when available

Equipment is maintained for regional reefer work. Drivers report defects before leaving the yard. Breakdown support is coordinated through dispatch.

Real Routes

Typical regional lanes use the main interstates that radiate from Lexington. These are representative directions, not guaranteed daily assignments.

  • Lexington north on I-75 toward Cincinnati-area food distribution.
  • Lexington west on I-64 to Louisville refrigerated receivers and processors.
  • Lexington via I-64/I-65 toward Indianapolis distribution markets.
  • Lexington south on I-75 to Knoxville food-wholesale points.
  • Lexington north via I-75/I-71 toward Columbus refrigerated warehouses.
  • Lexington south via I-75/I-65 toward Nashville packaged-food receivers.
  • Selected eastbound I-64 movements toward West Virginia with return freight when available.

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • Review the next pickup, setpoint, and appointment window before rolling.
  • Complete a full pre-trip on tractor, trailer, reefer unit, and seals.
  • Arrive at the shipper, confirm trailer condition and temperature mode, then load or drop-and-hook.
  • Watch the reefer display during the run and call any alarm immediately.
  • Check in at the receiver, complete seal and temperature verification, and finish POD paperwork.
  • Document any delay times, secure legal parking, and take the next load when hours allow.
  • Work toward a return near Lexington or complete the required rest period before the next cycle.

About the Carrier

Temperature-controlled food freight moving through central Kentucky needs carriers that can keep appointments and protect product integrity on short regional cycles. This operation fills that role with a mid-sized fleet focused on planned refrigerated truckload rather than long-haul networks. Drivers handle a mix of scheduled outbound loads and available return freight, working primarily with dairy, packaged food, chilled ingredients, and frozen goods. The model depends on reliable equipment, clear temperature instructions, and the ability to adjust when a receiver changes an appointment or a suitable backhaul is not immediately available.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Medical Employee medical options available
Dental & Vision Offered through company plans
401(k) Retirement plan (employer match per plan terms)
Paid Time Off According to company policy
Orientation Paid orientation time
Training Reefer operation and cold-chain documentation
Operational Support Maintenance network and roadside coordination

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL
  • Prefer approximately 6 months of verifiable tractor-trailer experience
  • Acceptable motor vehicle record and employment history
  • Current DOT medical card and successful drug screen
  • Ability to operate a sleeper tractor with a 53-ft reefer and back safely at docks
  • Working knowledge of ELD, hours-of-service, and basic paperwork
  • Willingness to work regional nights away and occasional weekend dispatches

Operational Delays

  • Warehouse congestion when multiple inbound trailers arrive together.
  • Live loading or unloading that runs longer than the scheduled window.
  • Reefer alarms, low fuel, or temperature instructions that do not match paperwork.
  • Traffic and construction delays near Cincinnati and Louisville.
  • Winter weather and holiday food peaks that tighten trailer availability.
  • Days when a suitable reefer backhaul is not immediately available.

Hiring Process

1
Application
Submit CDL and recent experience
2
Screening Call
Review schedule, pay, and reefer duties
3
Qualification
MVR, employment check, drug screen, Clearinghouse
4
Offer & Orientation
Written offer, training, equipment assignment

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need prior reefer experience? ▼
Preferable, but not required. Orientation includes temperature-control procedures, common alarms, and documentation expectations.
Q: How much of the work is drop-and-hook? ▼
A realistic mix includes both drop-and-hook and live activity. Exact percentages vary by customer and day.
Q: Are return loads guaranteed? ▼
No. Dispatch searches for nearby reefer freight first. When none is ready, the truck may reposition empty or take an authorized partial load.
Q: Can a trip end outside Lexington? ▼
Yes. Deliveries frequently finish in Cincinnati, Louisville, Knoxville, or other regional markets before the next assignment is issued.
Q: What happens if a receiver questions the temperature? ▼
Keep all records intact and contact operations before signing any exception or statement. Do not change settings or break seals without authorization.
Q: Where can I park overnight away from the terminal? ▼
Use established truck stops on the main interstates. Customer yards require prior permission.
Q: Are HazMat or Tanker endorsements required? ▼
Not for the standard freight on this account. Endorsements would be needed only if a specific load required them.

CDL Job Market — Lexington, KY

The Lexington area supports a steady mix of regional, dedicated, and local CDL-A openings. Food distribution, manufacturing support, retail replenishment, and agricultural freight keep carriers recruiting year-round. Refrigerated truckload sits alongside dry-van regional work, LTL, and dedicated retail accounts. Drivers with clean records and a few months of experience usually find several competing offers. National fleets, mid-sized regional operators, and specialized refrigerated carriers all maintain a presence. Seasonal peaks around major holidays increase demand for temperature-controlled capacity, while quieter periods still require regular grocery and dairy movements. Overall the market remains competitive for qualified Class A drivers who prefer multi-state regional work over extended over-the-road cycles.

Location & Freight Market — Lexington, KY

Lexington sits at the intersection of I-75 and I-64, giving refrigerated trucks direct access north to Cincinnati, west to Louisville, south toward Knoxville, and east toward West Virginia. Food processing, dairy, frozen goods, and packaged products create consistent temperature-controlled volume that must reach distribution centers and wholesale receivers in neighboring states. Automotive suppliers, retail warehouses, and agricultural shippers add further truckload demand. Winter weather can slow travel across the region, and holiday food cycles often tighten reefer capacity while increasing dock congestion. These geographic and industry factors sustain ongoing need for regional refrigerated service that can handle appointment-driven freight without requiring long-haul networks.

Start Your Application