States with the Most CDL Jobs Right Now
If you’re a truck driver looking for new opportunities—or just curious where the hot job markets are—this post breaks down the top states for CDL jobs right now based on real-time hiring demand, freight volume, and regional growth trends.
Whether you’re an experienced OTR driver or a new CDL-A graduate, knowing where companies are hiring the most can help you make smarter decisions about relocation, route preferences, and job applications.
🚛 Why Certain States Have More CDL Jobs
Several factors drive demand for CDL drivers in specific regions:
- Major logistics hubs (like Dallas or Chicago)
- Access to interstates and freight corridors
- Port cities with high container volume
- States with major food distribution or manufacturing centers
- Population growth and increased consumer demand
🔟 Top 10 States With the Most CDL Jobs Right Now
Based on job board data, carrier postings, and freight demand trends, these are the hottest states for CDL jobs:
1. Texas
- Home to Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio hubs
- High demand for oilfield, foodservice, and regional drivers
- Year-round freight and dedicated routes available
- Major companies hiring: H-E-B, PepsiCo, Sysco, Walmart, JB Hunt, Frito-Lay
2. California
- Massive freight movement in SoCal (Los Angeles, Long Beach, Inland Empire)
- High demand for port container drivers and last-mile logistics
- Bonus: Many companies offer local/home-daily routes
- Major companies hiring: FedEx Ground, Amazon, UNFI, Core-Mark, DHL, CRST
3. Florida
- Rapid population growth means more local and regional delivery needs
- Strong demand in Miami, Tampa, and Orlando metro areas
- Major companies hiring: Reyes Beverage Group, Publix, Sysco, PepsiCo, Cheney Brothers
4. Georgia
- Atlanta is a major Southeast logistics hub
- High concentration of warehousing and distribution centers
- Major companies hiring: XPO Logistics, Coca-Cola, Kroger, Schneider, Home Depot
5. Illinois
- Chicago is one of the largest trucking cities in the U.S.
- High demand for regional, intermodal, and LTL drivers
- Major companies hiring: US Foods, Martin Brower, Walmart, JB Hunt, Estes Express
6. North Carolina
- High demand in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro corridors
- Growth in food and beverage distribution jobs
- Major companies hiring: Amazon, LabCorp, Food Lion, Estes Express, Coca-Cola Consolidated
7. Ohio
- Strong regional carrier presence in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland
- Short-haul and final-mile opportunities booming
- Major companies hiring: Anheuser-Busch, Dollar General, Performance Food Group, Meijer
8. Indiana
- Central Midwest location fuels heavy freight traffic
- Strong presence of major carriers and 3PLs
- Major companies hiring: Walmart, Cardinal Logistics, Sysco, FedEx Freight
9. Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia and Allentown corridors lead hiring demand
- Heavy LTL, linehaul, and grocery distribution activity
- Major companies hiring: Giant Food, Penske, Amazon, Wegmans, ABF Freight
10. Arizona
- Surging population and warehouse development in Phoenix and Tucson
- Many dedicated fleet opportunities with regional carriers
- Major companies hiring: Shamrock Foods, Knight-Swift, Amazon, PetSmart, Bashas’ Distribution
📍 Honorable Mentions
- Tennessee – Strong freight lanes through Memphis and Nashville; FedEx Express, Old Dominion, Kroger
- New Jersey – Busy port access and last-mile delivery surge; UPS, Wakefern, Amazon, Home Depot
- South Carolina – Growing logistics activity tied to Port of Charleston; NFI, Southeastern Freight Lines, Walmart
- Minnesota – High concentration of private fleet openings; Target, SuperValu, Sysco
- Colorado – Increasing need for regional and final-mile drivers; Shamrock Foods, Core-Mark, PepsiCo
💼 What This Means for You
If you’re flexible on where you run—or even where you live—focusing on these states could help you:
- Land higher-paying jobs
- Get better freight lanes
- Qualify for relocation or sign-on bonuses
- Work with more reputable or stable fleets
🧭 Pro Tip: Use CDL Job Boards That Target These States
Many job boards (like Class A Jobs 411) let you search by location and filter jobs by state, pay, home time, or equipment type. If you’re serious about leveling up your income or route quality, go where the freight—and the hiring—is happening.
Need help finding CDL jobs in one of these high-demand states? Contact us or start searching today at Class A Jobs 411.
