Over-the-Road (OTR) Truck Driving Jobs

What is an OTR Truck Driver?

Over-the-road (OTR) truck drivers specialize in long-distance hauling freight through all regions of the United States, and they may also operate in Canada or Mexico, depending on the trucking company. OTR trucking jobs allow drivers to travel the country, sometimes from coast-to-coast, spending long stretches on the road at one time. Hauling goods over distances typically ranging between 500 and 900 miles, OTR truck drivers regularly drive between 2,500 and 2,800 miles per week and enjoy better pay than other types of trucking jobs.

Differences Between Driving for an OTR Fleet versus Driving for a Local, Dedicated or Regional Fleet

• An over the road truck driver makes long distance trips and often spends more than a week (some trucking companies can keep their drivers on the road for a month or more) before returning home for a period of time.
• ​Local drivers typically work in a small geographic region - it might be a metro area or a couple hundred miles from their homes or terminals. Local drivers a typically home every day.

• Truck drivers in regional fleets typically operate in a defined geographic region - like the Southeast or Midwest or Northeast. Those drivers are never too far from home, and they usually get one or two nights home a week. They make deliveries ranging over a few counties, cities or states.

• Dedicated drivers haul the same company's freight to regular destinations. Their routes are often predictable and they get to know the pick-up and drop-off locations and the people who work there. 

As a trucking company built on values, Roehl Transport offers some of the best home time in the business. From home daily jobs to a wide variety of home weekly jobs to flexible national OTR fleets getting drivers home 3 days after being out 11-14, Roehl's likely got an option that will work for you.

What is it Like Being an OTR Truck Driver?

An OTR driver generally starts their day early. Many prefer to drive during with the daylight and to optimize their drive time to balance their miles with their delivery time and other variables (like traffic). If the driver spent the night near a terminal or a truck stop with facilities, they may shower, get some food and freshen up before they start on the road again.

Being on the road can be an adventure. OTR drivers can take new routes, meet new people, and see new, unfamiliar sights. OTR drivers may not several deliveries and pickups a day like local drivers, and they typically are further from home, unlike regional, local or even dedicated drivers (who may also not stay close to their homes, depending on their customers).

How Much Can an OTR Truck Driver Make?

OTR truck driver pay can vary widely, and it's generally based on several factors including the driver’s level of experience and expertise, where she or he live, the type of trailer they haul, the kinds of products being hauled and of course how many miles they drive. A long-haul truck driver can earn $60,000 to over $85,000 annually, depending on where they live and the fleet they are in. At Roehl, we have some experienced truck drivers earning nearly $100,000 a year.

Check out these OTR trucking jobs that may be available near you.

Refrigerated OTR Truck Driving Jobs
Job Title: CDL Truck Driver | Refrigerated | National OTR Fleet
Average Weekly Earnings: $1,250
Average Annual Earnings: $65,000
Potential Bonus(es): Sign-on Pay .05 Per Mile for Experienced Drivers
Job Description: CDL Truck drivers driving for Roehl’s National OTR Fleet will haul frozen goods, cheese and other temperature controlled products to a variety of locations, primarily in MN, WI, IL, IN, OH, PA, NY, MA, CT and NJ. Drivers are assigned state-of-the-art trailers and are given the option of either quarterly pay increases or quarterly bonuses. Typically, drivers spend 11-14 days out and 3 days home. To qualify, Class A drivers must have at least 4 months of recent driving experience. Students may be paid while obtaining their CDL, or recent graduates of CDL school who want on-the-job training may qualify.

Flatbed OTR Truck Driving Jobs
Job Title: CDL Truck Driver | Flatbed | OTR National Fleet
Average Weekly Earnings: $1,310
Average Annual Earnings: $68,000
Potential Bonus(es): Sign-on Pay .05 Per Mile for Experienced Drivers
Job Description: This OTR flatbed fleet hauls unique freight throughout the lower 48 states and Canada, primarily in the regions east of I-35. Earn your choice of quarterly bonuses or quarterly pay increases up to the top rate. Driver’s typically spend 3 days home and 11-14 days out. To qualify, Class A drivers must have at least 4 months of driving experience. Also accepted: recent graduates of a CDL school who want on-the-job training and candidates who would like to be paid while earning their CDL.

Job Title: CDL Truck Driver | Flatbed Specialized RGN Fleet
Average Weekly Earnings: $1,440
Average Annual Earnings: $60,000 - $75,000
Potential Bonus(es): Sign-on Pay .05 Per Mile for Experienced Drivers
Job Description: This fleet operates primarily in the eastern half of the United States including MN, WI, IA, IL, MS, KA, OK, AR, MS, GA, AL, SC, NC, KY, IN, OH, PA, MI, NY and MA. Drivers must have at least 6 months of experience, and preferably one year of verifiable flatbed experience, must be able to go to Canada and must be comfortable tarping over-dimensional loads. Drivers will pick up and deliver over-dimensional and specialized flatbed freight, haul flatbed loads in the national freight network and will be involved in project type loads.  

Van OTR Truck Driving Jobs
Job Title: CDL Truck Driver | Van | OTR National Fleet
Average Weekly Earnings: $1,100
Average Annual Earnings: $57,200
Potential Bonus(es): Sign-on Pay .05 Per Mile for Experienced Drivers
Job Description: OTR Van National Fleet drivers haul largely no-touch freight to many different shippers and locations, across 48 states and Canada. Drivers spend approximately 11-14 days out and 3 days home. This is a chance to earn between $50,000 and $71,000 for experienced driving pros, with address-to-address miles, access to full benefits, and flexible home options. This fleet requires Class A drivers with at least 4 months of commercial truck driving experience. Candidates those who want to get their CDL while earning on-the-job experience and recent graduates of CDL school who want on-the-job training may also apply. This fleet primarily operates in KS, WI, MN, IL, IN, MO, TN, OH, KY, PA, NY, VA, MD, MA, ME, CT and NJ. 

Curtainside OTR Truck Driving Jobs
Job Title: CDL Truck Driver | Curtainside | National OTR Fleet
Average Weekly Earnings: $1,440
Average Annual Earnings: $75,000
Potential Bonus(es): Sign-on Pay .05 Per Mile for Experienced Drivers
Job Description: Curtainside Fleet OTR Drivers with Roehl enjoy hauling unique flatbed freight with no tarping and little physical labor. Some Curtainside National Fleet truck drivers make as much as $85,500 annually, while spending 11-14 days out and 3 days in. Drivers who live in parts of MN, WI, IL and IN will have the opportunity to come home most weeks. Class A drivers with at least four months of recent driving experience may qualify. Recent graduates of CDL school who want on-the-job training may also qualify.
 
Driver Trainer Positions
Job Title: CDL A Truck Driver | Driver Trainer
Average Weekly Earnings: $1,150
Average Annual Earnings: $70,000
Job Description: Experienced CDL A truck drivers are able to share their industry knowledge with new truck drivers in this rewarding role that offers top pay and excellent home time. Driver trainers also have advancement opportunities, as many eventually become instructors and fleet managers. Interested in this opportunity? Click the link above or visit: https://www.roehl.jobs/driving-jobs/resources/cdl-truck-driver-trainer for even more information on becoming a driver trainer at Roehl.