Pay per mile is only part of the picture. Here is how experienced CDL A drivers compare offers before they sign.
Start with the lane, not the ad
The single biggest driver of job satisfaction is the lane you run. Before you compare pay, decide whether you want OTR miles, regional runs with weekend home time, or a local route that gets you home daily.
Once the lane is set, filtering job boards becomes much simpler and you stop wasting applications on postings you would never accept.
Compare total weekly earnings, not just CPM
A 62 cents-per-mile job that delivers 2,000 miles a week pays less than a 55 CPM job delivering 2,600 miles. Ask every recruiter for average weekly miles over the last quarter.
- Average weekly miles and weekly gross for drivers in your lane
- Detention, layover, stop and tarp pay
- Sign-on bonus payout schedule and clawback terms
- How often the truck sits waiting on freight
Verify the carrier before you apply
Look at the company profile, fleet size, and how long the carrier has been running the lanes you want. Verified companies on Fleet Find have had their hiring details reviewed before their jobs go live.