Local CDL-A Job Manufacturing Relay

CDL-A Manufacturing Relay Driver – Fort Smith, AR

Local operating radius: approximately 75 miles • Fort Smith terminal

Home Daily Hourly + Overtime 53-ft Dry Vans

Move production trailers between Fort Smith-area plants, suppliers and staging yards. Earn $1,400–$1,750 gross per week with hourly pay, overtime eligibility and home time most evenings.

Weekly Gross Pay
$1,400–$1,750
Estimated Annual: $72,800–$91,000
Hourly Rate $28.50–$31.50
Sign-On Bonus Up to $750
Home Time Most evenings
Weekly Miles 800–1,300
Paid Hours 45–50 typical
Freight Industrial components

Job Status: Currently Hiring • Last Verified: October 11, 2026

Position Overview

Local industrial trucking focused on scheduled trailer transfers. This is a driving and yard-maneuvering job, not a warehouse unloading position.

  • Move loaded and empty 53-ft trailers between assigned facilities.
  • Perform drop-and-hook exchanges and verify trailer identification.
  • Follow plant check-in, safety, seal and staging procedures.
  • Report production delays, equipment defects and missed appointments.
  • Complete pre-trip, post-trip and electronic log requirements.
  • Coordinate changing assignments with local dispatch.
  • Return to the Fort Smith terminal at the end of the shift when scheduled.

Pay & Compensation

Hourly compensation with overtime eligibility. Actual weekly earnings depend on paid hours, production schedules and qualifying additional work.

Hourly Pay $28.50–$31.50
Overtime 1.5× eligible hours after 40 hours
Weekly Gross $1,400–$1,750 typical target range
Annualized Gross $72,800–$91,000 at 52 weeks
Sign-On Bonus $750 maximum: $250 at 30 days, $250 at 90 days, $250 at 180 days
Detention Eligible after 2 hours with required time records and approval

Weekly and annual figures exclude the sign-on bonus. Overtime treatment depends on applicable law and the employer's compensation policy.

Schedule & Home Time

Home Time Daily, most evenings
Workweek Monday–Friday; occasional Saturday coverage
Start Window Approximately 5:00 AM–2:00 PM, assigned by shift
Shift Length Usually 10–12 hours
Operating Radius Approximately 75 miles
Terminal Fort Smith, Arkansas

Start times can change with plant production. A late release or Saturday coverage may occasionally affect the normal schedule.

Trucks & Trailers

Tractors Freightliner Cascadia and International LT/day-cab configurations
Model Years Primarily 2020–2025, depending on availability
Transmission Mostly automatic
Trailers Primarily 53-ft dry vans
Safety ELD, electronic inspections and applicable collision-mitigation systems
Assignment Assigned truck when available; occasional slip-seating

Equipment is maintained through scheduled inspections and repairs. Truck assignment may change when a unit is unavailable.

Freight & Typical Routes

Short-haul trailer transfers supporting industrial production and supplier replenishment across the Arkansas River Valley.

  • Fort Smith – Van Buren: plant and staging-yard transfers.
  • Fort Smith – Alma: supplier and production-related moves.
  • Fort Smith – Barling: local industrial facility transfers.
  • Fort Smith – Fayetteville/Springdale: occasional northwest Arkansas runs.
  • Primary roads: I-40, I-540, I-49, US-64 and US-71.
  • Drop-and-hook is the main workflow; live loading may occur when a trailer is not staged.

Dispatch assigns lanes according to production needs. Not every route runs every day.

Daily Workflow

  • Complete the pre-trip inspection and receive the first dispatch assignment.
  • Check in at the plant gate and confirm the designated trailer.
  • Inspect the unit, connect the tractor and verify paperwork or seal details as required.
  • Deliver the trailer, position the empty and update dispatch.
  • Repeat assigned moves or return to the terminal when released.
  • Report delays and complete the end-of-shift inspection and logs.

About the Carrier

This mid-sized regional carrier operates dedicated local freight services for manufacturing and industrial customers in western Arkansas. The Fort Smith operation focuses on dependable trailer transfers, equipment availability and communication with customer shipping teams. Dispatch coordinates daily assignments around production schedules, while the maintenance team handles inspections and repairs. The fleet includes established day-cab tractors and standard dry-van equipment rather than exclusively new or premium trucks. Work volume changes with customer production, and occasional schedule adjustments are part of supporting time-sensitive manufacturing freight.

Benefits Package

Health Coverage Medical, dental and vision options after the eligibility period
Retirement 401(k) with employer match subject to plan terms
Time Off Paid vacation based on tenure and selected paid holidays
Training Paid orientation and customer-site safety instruction
Work Equipment Required safety gear and uniforms under company policy

CDL-A Requirements

  • Valid Class A commercial driver's license.
  • At least 12 months of verifiable tractor-trailer experience.
  • Acceptable motor vehicle record and safety history.
  • Pass required DOT physical, drug screening and Clearinghouse review.
  • Ability to maneuver safely in industrial yards and tight staging areas.
  • Availability for variable start times and occasional Saturday coverage.

Common Delays

  • Production has not released the assigned trailer.
  • Plant gate queues or shift-change congestion.
  • Missing paperwork, seal discrepancies or trailer defects.
  • Traffic on I-40, I-540 and local industrial roads.
  • Rain or poor yard conditions slowing trailer positioning.

Application Process

1
Apply Online
Submit your CDL-A and recent employment details.
2
Qualification Review
License, MVR, experience and required screening checks.
3
Interview & Orientation
Discuss the schedule, compensation and plant safety rules.
4
First Dispatch
Begin work after required checks and training are complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a home-daily CDL-A job? ▼
Yes. The operation is local, with drivers generally returning home after their shifts. Production delays or occasional schedule changes may affect the exact release time.
How much can I earn each week? ▼
The target gross range is $1,400–$1,750 per week. Earnings depend on the assigned hourly rate, paid hours and qualifying overtime. The annualized range assumes 52 weeks of work.
Does the job require unloading freight? ▼
Routine hand unloading is not part of the described relay workflow. Drivers handle trailer connections, inspections, positioning and required paperwork. Customer personnel manage freight handling.
Is previous manufacturing experience required? ▼
Manufacturing or shuttle experience is useful but not mandatory. Applicants should have at least 12 months of verifiable tractor-trailer experience and be comfortable maneuvering in industrial yards.
What equipment will I drive? ▼
The fleet primarily uses Freightliner and International tractors with 53-ft dry vans. Most tractors have automatic transmissions. A particular truck is not guaranteed, and slip-seating may be necessary.
What happens if a trailer is not ready? ▼
Contact dispatch before leaving the assigned location. Depending on production status and available equipment, dispatch may assign another move or ask you to wait for the correct trailer.
Is Saturday work required? ▼
The normal pattern is Monday through Friday, but occasional Saturday coverage may be needed when customer production or shipment volume increases.
How is the sign-on bonus paid? ▼
The advertised maximum is $750, structured as $250 at 30 days, $250 at 90 days and $250 at 180 days, subject to the employer's eligibility and retention requirements.

CDL-A Job Market – Fort Smith, Arkansas

Fort Smith offers a mix of local freight, regional trucking, industrial transportation and terminal-based driving work. Home-daily CDL-A opportunities in the area include less-than-truckload pickup and delivery, dedicated shuttle operations, yard driving and longer local routes. Advertised compensation varies by duty: terminal-to-customer city work may pay more than a fixed-site yard assignment, while specialized duties can require additional endorsements or experience. Manufacturing relay driving occupies a different niche, with earnings influenced by production schedules, trailer availability and the number of paid hours completed. Drivers comparing local positions should look beyond the weekly headline figure and confirm overtime rules, weekend expectations, start times and whether waiting time is compensated. For experienced drivers who prefer to sleep at home, a dedicated industrial route can offer a practical alternative to regional or over-the-road schedules, although it may involve variable dispatch priorities and busy plant gates.

Fort Smith Location & Freight Market

The Fort Smith–Van Buren area sits within the Arkansas River Valley, with road access that supports industrial suppliers, distribution facilities and regional manufacturing customers. I-40 provides an east-west connection, while I-49 and I-540 link the area with northwest Arkansas. US-64 and US-71 serve additional local and regional freight corridors. Short-haul manufacturing work typically depends on the timing of production releases, the availability of empty trailers and receiving capacity at each facility. Van Buren and Alma are practical destinations for nearby supplier movements, while runs toward Fayetteville or Springdale may be assigned when customer requirements justify the extra distance. Unlike long-haul trucking, a relay driver may repeat a small number of lanes several times during one shift. Drop-and-hook can reduce dock time when trailers are staged correctly, but gate queues, paperwork discrepancies, weather and production interruptions still affect daily productivity. Drivers who know the local highways and can maneuver safely around crowded industrial yards are well suited to this type of operation.

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