Atlanta, GA
Looking for dry van regional CDL-A work around Atlanta? Here's the pay, the home time, and a fast way to get matched with carriers hiring right now.
Atlanta is the Southeast's distribution command center, where I-75, I-85, and I-20 converge within a two-day drive of over 80% of the U.S. population and serve as the primary inland destination for containers from the Port of Savannah.
Runs within a multi-state region (typically a 500–1,000 mile radius), balancing solid weekly miles with more predictable home time than OTR. For CDL-A drivers based in Atlanta and nearby communities like McDonough, Austell, Stockbridge, that translates to steady freight and dry van regional runs you can actually build a schedule around.
Regional CDL-A pay in this market typically runs about $65k to $86k a year for company drivers, before sign-on bonuses, detention, and per diem. Dry van is the baseline for most freight and the easiest to get into, so it generally sits at the bottom of the specialized-freight pay scale. The number that matters most is weekly miles times your rate — a strong rate on thin miles loses to a steady seat every time.
Enclosed trailers carrying non-perishable boxed and palletized freight like retail goods, paper, and packaged products — the most common and accessible freight for CDL-A drivers.
Dry van is the baseline for most freight and the easiest to get into, so it generally sits at the bottom of the specialized-freight pay scale.
Georgia rates run about 4% below the national average for the same freight, which is baked into the numbers below. Figures assume 2,250 paid miles a week (typical for regional out of Atlanta) plus ~7% in accessorials (detention, stop pay, per diem), over 50 working weeks.
| Experience | Rate (typical–good) | Weekly gross | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 years | $0.54–0.60/mi | $1,294–$1,433 | $64,714–$71,647 |
| 2–5 years | $0.58–0.64/mi | $1,387–$1,549 | $69,336–$77,425 |
| 5+ years | $0.62–0.71/mi | $1,502–$1,710 | $75,114–$85,514 |
From the CDL Lane pay model — cents-per-mile researched across 100+ carriers (how we calculate), adjusted for Georgia and dry van freight. Run your own numbers in the pay calculator.
Tell us your experience, freight, and schedule. We'll line up regional carriers hiring near Atlanta — free, fast, no obligation.
Get matched →Regional CDL-A drivers in the Atlanta market typically earn $65k–$86k a year, with the exact number driven by experience, weekly miles, and freight type — the table above breaks it down by experience band.
It's the most common first seat in trucking: the most openings, no-touch freight, and every schedule from local to OTR. Pay sits at the baseline of the freight scale, which is the trade-off for availability and simplicity.
Two levers: experience tiers (the 2-year and 5-year marks matter most) and switching freight — reefer adds ~$0.03/mi, flatbed ~$0.07/mi, tanker ~$0.09/mi. Endorsements are the fastest raise in trucking.
That's the standard: a 500–1,000 mile radius with weekly home time, usually weekends. Confirm the exact home-time policy with each carrier in writing — "most weekends" and "every weekend" are different jobs.
A valid CDL-A and a reasonably clean driving record cover most openings. Tell CDL Lane your experience, preferred freight, and home base and we'll match you with carriers hiring near Atlanta — including McDonough, Austell, Stockbridge.