Regional CDL-A Position Doubles Linehaul

CDL-A Doubles Linehaul Driver — Joliet IL Regional LTL Network

Hiring Area: Joliet and surrounding southwest Chicago suburbs • Terminal: Joliet IL

Joliet, IL Regional LTL 2021–2025

Scheduled terminal-to-terminal doubles linehaul of consolidated LTL freight across the Midwest from Joliet. Weekly pay $1,650–$1,950 with most turns returning home and limited customer stops.

Typical Weekly Gross
$1,650–$1,950
Estimated Annual: $93,600
Sign-On Bonus $2,000
Home Time Most turns same-cycle return; occasional overnight
Driver Type Regional LTL Linehaul
Weekly Miles 2,000–2,350
Freight Type Consolidated LTL

Position Overview

Night linehaul using tractor-and-double-pup sets moves consolidated freight between Midwest service centers. The work stays terminal-focused with high drop-and-hook volume and minimal customer dock time.

  • Completes full pre-trip and post-trip inspections on tractor, both pups and converter equipment.
  • Couples and uncouples doubles sets, checking pintle hooks, chains, air and electrical lines.
  • Verifies trailer numbers, seals and shipping paperwork before each departure.
  • Keeps accurate ELD logs and stays within HOS limits at all times.
  • Reports delays, equipment problems and route changes promptly to dispatch.
  • Handles heavy Chicago-area traffic and northern Midwest winter driving conditions.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Pay combines linehaul mileage with paid terminal activity. Peak season volume is not used to set the normal weekly range.

Weekly Pay Range $1,650–$1,950
Typical Week Example 2,150 miles × $0.76 CPM + ~4.9 hrs × $34 ≈ $1,800
Estimated Annual Gross $93,600
Linehaul Rate $0.76 CPM
Terminal Activity Approximately $34/hour
Sign-On Bonus $2,000 ($500 after 30/90/180/365 days)
Pay Frequency Weekly direct deposit

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Home Time Most assigned turns return to Joliet within the same work cycle; occasional overnight layover may be required on longer regional runs
Primary Shift Evening and overnight departures
Typical Schedule 5 days per week; weekend work possible based on volume
Weekly Miles 2,000–2,350 paid miles (typical 2,150)
Operating Corridor Midwest regional LTL network
Dispatch Window Report 1–2 hours before scheduled departure

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Tractor Models Freightliner Cascadia and International LT day-cabs
Model Years Primarily 2021–2025 (some older maintained units remain)
Transmission Automatic / 10-speed automated
Safety Systems Collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise on newer units
Trailer Configuration Twin 28-foot LTL pup trailers (2018–2025 mix)
Assignment Assigned or terminal-based; may change for maintenance or balancing

All tractors are ELD-compliant with engine braking, air-ride suspension and fifth-wheel setups configured for doubles. Drivers inspect pintle hooks, converter dollies, glad hands, electrical connections, safety chains, landing gear, tires, brakes, doors, lights and reflective markings. Maintenance runs through the Joliet terminal and approved regional shops; roadside issues are coordinated by dispatch.

Real Routes

Freight is palletized, boxed or crated for terminal handling and moves between service centers in a hub-and-spoke pattern rather than direct customer delivery.

  • Joliet to Indianapolis for industrial and commercial LTL
  • Joliet to Milwaukee carrying manufacturing, machinery and packaging
  • Joliet to St. Louis via I-55 with industrial components and distribution freight
  • Joliet to Columbus, Detroit, Cincinnati and Kansas City lanes
  • Joliet to Minneapolis and selected Iowa/Ohio connections
  • Primary highways: I-55, I-80, I-90/I-94, I-65, I-70 and I-69
  • Destinations change nightly according to terminal demand and volume

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • Arrive at Joliet terminal during the assigned dispatch window and receive the night’s linehaul assignment.
  • Check tractor and trailer numbers, complete pre-trip and inspect both pups plus converter dolly.
  • Hook the doubles combination, confirm seals and paperwork, then depart in the scheduled window.
  • At the destination terminal drop the set or take it to a dock and exchange for return equipment.
  • Finish the exchange or short wait, then start the return or relay leg back toward Joliet.
  • Return to the Joliet area multiple times each week; park at the terminal or approved overflow yard between runs.

About the Carrier

Consistent terminal-to-terminal capacity is essential for moving consolidated LTL freight generated by manufacturing plants, industrial suppliers, retail distribution centers, machinery producers, building-products suppliers, packaging firms and automotive vendors across the Midwest. A mid-sized regional carrier supplies that capacity through a hub-and-spoke network centered on the Joliet market. The dense industrial, distribution and intermodal activity in the area supports scheduled linehaul departures between service centers. Dock teams break down and rebuild trailers at each terminal so drivers mainly perform drop-and-hook exchanges. Nightly balancing and equipment repositioning keep the network flexible without fixed dedicated lanes.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Medical / Dental / Vision Employee and family coverage options
401(k) Company matching plan
Paid Time Off Paid vacation and selected holidays
Training Paid orientation, doubles/triples refresher, winter driving training
Operational Support Terminal parking, company ELD, 24/7 breakdown coordination, fuel card and toll support

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL with Doubles/Triples endorsement
  • Minimum 12 months verifiable Class A tractor-trailer experience (recent doubles preferred)
  • Acceptable MVR and PSP; Clearinghouse-compliant status
  • Current DOT medical card; ability to pass DOT drug and alcohol screening
  • Ability to work evening, overnight and occasional weekend schedules
  • Physical ability to climb, walk terminal yards, inspect equipment and handle coupling tasks

Operational Delays

  • Chicago-area congestion on I-55, I-80, I-90 and I-94 shortens available driving time
  • Winter weather and summer construction slow major Midwest corridors
  • Terminal congestion of 30–90 minutes during heavy outbound periods
  • Correct pups or converter equipment not yet staged for the assigned destination
  • Late inbound linehaul or occupied dock doors

Hiring Process

1
Application
Submit CDL-A application with driving and employment history
2
Recruiter Screening
Initial call usually within one business day
3
Qualification & Compliance
MVR, PSP, DOT drug screen and Clearinghouse query
4
Offer & Orientation
Written offer, paid orientation, equipment assignment and first dispatch

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How often do the nightly destinations change? ▼
Assignments follow terminal demand and freight volume. A driver may run Joliet–Indianapolis one night and Joliet–Milwaukee or St. Louis the next.
Q: What share of the work is drop-and-hook? ▼
Roughly 70–85 percent is drop-and-hook or terminal exchange. Live handling and other terminal tasks make up the rest.
Q: Are recent CDL graduates considered? ▼
New graduates are generally not the target group. Candidates with under 12 months may be reviewed only when prior commercial and doubles experience is strong.
Q: Where do drivers park when an overnight is required? ▼
Overnight parking is planned near the destination terminal. Dispatch can suggest approved truck stops when needed.
Q: How is detention or delay pay handled? ▼
Qualifying delay pay follows company policy and is not applied automatically to every waiting period.
Q: Does the sign-on bonus require continuous employment? ▼
Yes. Each installment requires active employment, satisfactory safety performance and completion of the required period.

CDL Job Market

Joliet and the greater Chicago freight corridor form one of Illinois’ most competitive CDL-A labor markets. Dense distribution, intermodal and LTL activity creates steady demand for experienced drivers. Positions range from national and regional LTL linehaul to dedicated distribution, intermodal and local industrial work. The tightest competition centers on safety-qualified drivers who can handle doubles at night. Home-daily and multiple-return regional linehaul roles compete effectively with pure local jobs by offering highway miles without multi-week OTR absences. Year-round need remains strong for Class A drivers comfortable with combination vehicles in high-traffic Midwest corridors.

Location & Freight Market

Joliet sits at the junction of I-55 and I-80 amid extensive warehouse, distribution, cross-dock, rail and intermodal activity. The CenterPoint Intermodal Center, home to BNSF Logistics Park Chicago and Union Pacific Global IV, contributes to the high freight density that supports regional transportation networks. Manufacturing, industrial components, machinery, packaging, retail goods, building materials and automotive suppliers generate continuous outbound and inbound movements. These flows radiate toward Indianapolis, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Detroit, Columbus, Minneapolis and Kansas City along the major Midwest corridors. Retail peaks, end-of-quarter shipping and weather affect nightly volume, yet the underlying industrial and distribution base keeps freight moving steadily through the southwest Chicago suburbs throughout the year.

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