🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Joliet, Illinois
- Route type: Dedicated Regional
- Freight: Dry Van
- Schedule: 5-6 days out, 2-3 days home
📦 Freight Flow Snapshot
- Daily volume: 1-2 loads per driver
- Average haul distance: 250-550 miles per day
- Primary freight lanes: Joliet to Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Detroit metro
- Load type consistency: Mix of drop-and-hook and live loads
- Peak dispatch hours: Early morning (3AM-7AM starts)
📋 Job Description
- Run dedicated dry van freight out of Joliet area distribution centers serving retail, manufacturing, and cross-dock operations across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and southern Michigan.
- Handle a combination of pre-booked loads and same-day adjustments based on warehouse output and customer demand.
- Perform live unloads at smaller manufacturing sites and drop-and-hook at major DCs along I-55, I-80, and I-90 corridors.
- Manage daily dispatch through mobile app with potential reroutes for freight balancing.
- Deal with variable dock times, especially during peak retail periods and staffing shortages at high-volume warehouses.
- Maintain accurate ELD logs and comply with all hours-of-service regulations while operating primarily in the Midwest region.
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
Minimum 12 months verifiable CDL driving experience
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record preferred (minor violations reviewed case-by-case)
Physical
Able to secure loads and handle occasional dock work
Endorsements
None required
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: Kenworth T680 (2022–2025 models)
- Fleet average age: 2–5 years
- Features: Automatic PACCAR TX-12 transmission, mid-roof sleeper cabs, refrigerator units, inverters, Motive ELD, collision mitigation systems
🏠 Home Time
- Typically 5–6 days on the road followed by 2–3 days home, based on freight cycles
- Home time scheduled around mid-week or weekend blocks when possible, subject to customer demand and dispatch needs
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Joliet, IL distribution center to Indianapolis retail and manufacturing deliveries with return freight
- Joliet to Milwaukee area DCs with multi-stop retail replenishment loads
- Joliet to southern Michigan industrial zones with automotive component freight
🧭 Route Scenarios (Dispatch Variants)
- Scenario A: Single long regional run with drop-and-hook at major DCs, minimal detention
- Scenario B: Multi-stop (2-4 deliveries) retail/grocery load with live unload at smaller sites
- Scenario C: Same-day reroute into Indiana or Wisconsin for freight balancing
- Fallback Load Plan: Return to Joliet or nearby satellite terminal for next-day reload
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How is weekly pay calculated?
Based on practical miles CPM plus stop pay and detention when it applies. Actual earnings vary with mileage, detention, and weekly freight volume.
What does home time actually look like?
Most drivers get 2-3 days home after 5-6 days out. Exact days depend on freight cycles and dispatch planning.
Is detention paid?
Yes, detention pay applies after the allowed free time at customer facilities.
What experience is needed?
Minimum 12 months verifiable CDL-A experience. We review records case-by-case.
What trucks will I drive?
Primarily Kenworth T680s with automatic transmissions and mid-roof sleepers. Fleet is 2-5 years old.
How predictable are the routes?
Loads are pre-planned but adjustments happen due to warehouse delays, retail spikes, or freight balancing needs.
📡 Dispatch Notes (Live Feed)
- Pre-planned loads assigned daily through Motive app
- Expect occasional same-day changes around Chicago-area congestion
- Trailer availability can shift based on DC output
- System update: Real-time GPS and traffic integration active
- Load priority status: Retail replenishment during peak seasons
⚠️ Operational Risk Layer
- Weather exposure zones: Midwest winter weather on I-80/I-90 corridors
- Traffic congestion risk: High around Chicago metro and Joliet terminals
- Load delay probability: Elevated during holiday retail surges
- Equipment sensitivity: Standard dry van – securement important for multi-stops
- Compliance checkpoints: Regular DOT inspections in region
🔗 Regional Dedicated Dry Van CDL-A Driver – Joliet, Illinois
Drivers in this Joliet-based regional dedicated dry van position move freight between major distribution centers and manufacturing facilities across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and southern Michigan. You'll typically start early in the morning from the Joliet area, running lanes like Joliet to Indianapolis or Milwaukee with a mix of drop-and-hook at big DCs and live loads at smaller sites. Detention happens when warehouse staffing runs short or during peak shipping windows. Weekly mileage usually lands between 1,200 and 2,200 miles depending on the week. Home time comes after 5-6 days out. The operation runs on practical miles pay plus stops and detention. Expect adjustments to your schedule when retail demand spikes or winter weather hits the Midwest corridors. This is steady regional work centered on the Chicago freight hub with real operational flow instead of constant long-haul resets.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for Regional Dedicated Dry Van CDL-A Driver in Joliet, Illinois.