Local Truck Driving Jobs in Atlanta: Where the Work Is, What to Expect, and How to Get Hired

Atlanta is a major transportation and logistics hub for the Southeast, which means local truck driving jobs in Atlanta are in steady demand. From warehouse-to-store routes inside the Perimeter to short regional runs across Georgia and nearby states, there are many ways to build a driving career without being away from home for weeks at a time.

This guide walks you through what local truck driving work looks like in Atlanta, who’s hiring, typical requirements, pay expectations, and practical next steps if you want to start or switch into local driving.

Why Atlanta Is a Hot Spot for Local Truck Driving Jobs

Atlanta’s position at the crossroads of I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, and I‑285, along with Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and a dense network of warehouses and distribution centers, creates strong demand for:

• Local delivery drivers (same-day or next-day)
• Short-haul and regional drivers (home most nights or several times per week)
• Dedicated retail and grocery routes
• Port and rail-related runs (to and from intermodal yards and warehouses)

Areas like Forest Park, College Park, Union City, Lithia Springs, Fairburn, and Stone Mountain are packed with logistics facilities, giving drivers many options within commuting distance of most Atlanta neighborhoods.

Types of Local Truck Driving Jobs in Atlanta

“Local” can mean different things depending on the employer. In and around Atlanta, you’ll commonly see these options:

1. Local / Day-Cab Trucking Jobs

These are usually home daily positions:

• Work area: Metro Atlanta and nearby cities (Marietta, McDonough, Gainesville, Newnan, etc.).
• Freight: Retail goods, food and beverage, building materials, manufacturing supplies.
• Schedule: Often early-morning starts; many runs finish in 8–12 hours.

Pros:

• Sleep in your own bed most nights.
• More predictable routes after initial training.

Cons:

• Atlanta traffic on I‑285 and key corridors can make the day feel long.
• Frequent backing into tight docks in industrial parks and city streets.

2. LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) City P&D Jobs

LTL carriers with terminals around Atlanta hire city drivers to do pickup and delivery (P&D) work:

• Duties: Deliver multiple freight stops, pick up shipments, interact with shipping clerks.
• Equipment: Mostly day-cab tractors with pup trailers.
• Schedule: Usually daytime or evening shifts, home daily.

Drivers often work from major LTL terminals clustered near I‑285, I‑20, and airport-adjacent industrial zones.

3. Local Delivery / Box Truck and Straight Truck Jobs

Not all local truck driving jobs require a tractor-trailer:

• Vehicles: 26-foot box trucks, straight trucks, sometimes requiring a CDL, sometimes not.
• Employers: Furniture stores, appliance companies, office supply distributors, food service, parcel delivery.
• Work: More city driving, hand unloading, and customer interaction.

For new drivers, these jobs can offer experience in Atlanta traffic and routing before moving up to larger vehicles.

4. Regional Driving Based Out of Atlanta

Regional routes are often included in “local” job searches because they’re home multiple times per week:

• Coverage: Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida.
• Home time: Some are out 2–3 nights, then home; others are home most weekends.
• Freight: Mix of dry van, reefer, and sometimes flatbed.

This can be a balance between higher mileage pay and regular home time, especially for drivers living near Atlanta’s outer suburbs.

Common Employers for Local Truck Drivers in Atlanta

You’ll typically find local truck driving jobs in Atlanta with:

Major Logistics & Distribution Operations

Large fleets run heavy volumes through:

• Industrial areas near Hartsfield–Jackson Airport
• Forest Park and Ellenwood (I‑675 corridor)
• Lithia Springs and Douglasville (I‑20 West)
• Norcross, Duluth, and Suwanee (I‑85 North)
• McDonough and Locust Grove (I‑75 South)

These hubs host warehouses, 3PLs (third-party logistics), retail distribution centers, and cold storage facilities that frequently hire local and shuttle drivers.

LTL Carriers and Freight Terminals

Many LTL and regional carriers maintain Atlanta terminals where they hire:

• City P&D drivers (home daily)
• Linehaul drivers (night runs between terminals, often home daily or every other day)

Terminals are often near I‑285 interchanges, where access to multiple interstates is quick.

Food & Beverage Distribution

Grocers, foodservice distributors, and beverage companies serving the Atlanta metro area hire:

• Route delivery drivers making store or restaurant stops.
• Early-morning or overnight drivers stocking routes before businesses open.

Expect more physical work (unloading pallets, using hand trucks, steps into stores), but these roles often come with stable accounts and regular routes.

Construction and Building Materials

With ongoing construction across Midtown, Buckhead, the Westside, and the suburbs, local driving jobs also include:

• Flatbed or dump trucks delivering materials to job sites.
• Concrete and aggregate haulers.
• Specialty equipment moves (with proper endorsements and experience).

Work can be early and weather-dependent, but usually local and home daily.

License and Endorsement Requirements in Atlanta

CDL Basics for Local Truck Driving

Most local truck driving jobs in Atlanta require a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL):

• CDL‑A: For tractor-trailers and combination vehicles. Covers most local and regional freight jobs.
• CDL‑B: For straight trucks and some delivery vehicles (e.g., large box trucks, dump trucks).

You’ll also need:

• A clean driving record (or as close as possible)
• Ability to pass a DOT physical and drug/alcohol screening
• Proof of eligibility to work in the U.S.

Helpful Endorsements in the Atlanta Market

Not all are required, but these can open more opportunities:

• Hazmat (H) – For hauling hazardous materials, often paying a premium.
• Tanker (N) – For liquids, fuel, or some food-grade loads.
• Doubles/Triples (T) – Useful for certain LTL linehaul jobs.

Adding endorsements can be especially useful with large carriers and specialized local fleets based in and around Atlanta.

Where to Get Your CDL in the Atlanta Area

If you’re new to trucking, Atlanta has several ways to get trained and licensed.

Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS)

The DDS oversees CDL testing and licensing:

• Atlanta (South Metro) Customer Service Center
  2206 Eastview Parkway
  Conyers, GA 30013
  Phone: 678‑413‑8400 (DDS Call Center)

Other nearby CDL testing and service locations exist around Metro Atlanta; you can contact DDS to confirm:

• CDL permit requirements
• Appointment scheduling
• Documents you’ll need for testing

Community Colleges and Technical Schools

Area technical colleges often offer CDL training programs that align with Georgia and federal regulations, typically including:

• Classroom instruction for the CDL permit
• Behind-the-wheel training
• Skills and road test preparation

You can ask about:

• Program length and schedule (day, evening, or weekend)
• Tuition and possible financial aid
• Whether employers recruit from their programs

Company-Sponsored Training

Some carriers operating in and around Atlanta offer company-sponsored CDL training where:

• You agree to work for the company for a set period.
• They cover some or all of the training costs.

Always review:

• Contract length
• Starting pay and route type
• Any repayment obligation if you leave early

Typical Pay and Hours for Local Truck Driving Jobs in Atlanta

Pay can vary widely by:

• Experience level
• Type of freight
• Company size
• Shift and schedule

How Local Drivers Are Paid

Common pay structures in Atlanta include:

• Hourly pay – Often used for P&D, city drivers, and some delivery positions.
• Per mile + stop pay – More common in regional and some local routes.
• Daily or route pay – Flat rate per shift or route, sometimes plus overtime.

What to Expect Locally

In Metro Atlanta, many local driving jobs:

• Offer full-time schedules, often 40–55 hours per week.
• Include overtime pay after a certain number of hours for hourly roles.
• May offer shift differentials for nights or weekends.

Because pay levels change over time, it’s best to compare multiple job listings in your part of Atlanta (for example, Southside vs. Northside) to get a current sense of local earning ranges.

Pros and Cons of Local Truck Driving in Atlanta

Here’s a quick overview of what many drivers weigh when considering local jobs in the Atlanta area:

Navigating Atlanta Traffic as a Local Driver

Driving a commercial vehicle in Atlanta is different from running open highways:

• Rush hours: Expect congestion on I‑75/85 through Downtown, the Downtown Connector, I‑285, and major arterial roads between roughly 6:30–9:00 a.m. and 3:30–7:00 p.m.
• Construction zones: Ongoing road projects around I‑285 interchanges, GA‑400, and other areas can affect routing.
• Urban deliveries: Some local jobs include delivering into Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, and in-town neighborhoods, where:
  • Loading zones are tight
  • Pedestrian and bicycle traffic is higher
  • Parking and backing require extra patience and awareness

Employers often provide route training and may use routing software or GPS designed for commercial vehicles, but solid local awareness is still a big advantage.

How to Find Local Truck Driving Jobs in Atlanta

When searching for local truck driving jobs Atlanta, use a combination of online resources and local contacts.

1. Online Job Boards and Company Career Pages

Search for terms like:

• “local cdl driver Atlanta GA”
• “home daily truck driver Atlanta”
• “Atlanta city driver P&D”
• “regional cdl jobs based in Atlanta”

Filter by home time, equipment type, and required experience.

2. Local Staffing and Transportation Agencies

Some staffing firms in Atlanta focus on:

• CDL‑A and CDL‑B placements
• Temp-to-hire and permanent roles
• Seasonal surge work, such as peak retail and holiday delivery

These can be useful if you want to try different routes or employers before committing.

3. Industrial Parks and Distribution Clusters

Driving around or calling companies in major industrial areas can reveal jobs that may not be widely posted. Notable clusters include:

• Airport / Forest Park / Hapeville area (near I‑75 and I‑285)
• I‑20 West corridor (Lithia Springs, Douglasville)
• I‑85 North corridor (Norcross, Duluth, Suwanee)
• I‑75 South corridor (Morrow, Stockbridge, McDonough)
• Stone Mountain / Tucker / Doraville areas

Some companies post “Drivers Wanted” signs at their facilities with application instructions.

4. Talking to Other Drivers

Atlanta’s truck stops, rest areas, and fuel stops—especially along I‑75, I‑85, and I‑20—are informal hubs for information:

• Ask about which local companies treat drivers fairly
• Learn which employers offer steady freight and reasonable schedules
• Get a feel for typical start times and expectations at different fleets

What Employers in Atlanta Commonly Look For

Hiring standards vary, but many local trucking employers around Atlanta look for:

• Valid CDL‑A or CDL‑B, depending on role
• At least 1 year of recent driving experience (some will train new CDL holders)
• Safe driving record, with limited moving violations or preventable accidents
• Ability to pass a background check and drug/alcohol screening
• Willingness to work early mornings, nights, or weekends if required
• Basic familiarity with electronic logs (ELDs) and standard safety procedures

For customer-facing roles (grocery delivery, office supply routes, etc.), companies also value:

• Clear communication skills
• Professional appearance and reliable attendance
• Ability to handle paperwork and delivery confirmations accurately

Practical Steps to Get Started in Atlanta

If you’re serious about local truck driving in Atlanta, you can move forward in stages:

1. Confirm your license status.
   • If you don’t yet have a CDL, contact Georgia DDS and local schools to map out your path.
2. Choose your target job type.
   • Decide whether you want purely local home-daily work, regional, LTL, food service, or construction-related driving.
3. Update your resume.
   • Highlight driving experience, safety record, endorsements, and familiarity with Metro Atlanta if you have it.
4. Apply strategically.
   • Prioritize employers whose routes and schedules fit your lifestyle—for example, early morning local deliveries vs. evening P&D.
5. Prepare for interviews and road tests.
   • Practice backing, tight turns, and coupling/uncoupling; be ready to discuss how you handle Atlanta traffic safely.
6. Plan your commute.
   • Many jobs start at truck yards or terminals outside central Atlanta; consider traffic patterns from your home to places like Forest Park, Norcross, Lithia Springs, or McDonough.

Key Takeaways for Local Truck Driving Jobs in Atlanta

• Atlanta’s role as a major logistics hub creates consistent demand for local and regional truck drivers.
• You can find home-daily jobs in LTL, food and beverage, retail distribution, local delivery, and construction-related hauling.
• A CDL‑A opens the most doors, but CDL‑B and non-CDL roles exist, especially for box trucks and certain delivery jobs.
• Traffic and tight urban areas are real challenges, but many drivers value the steady work and regular home time.
• Using Georgia DDS, local training programs, industrial clusters, and online job boards together will give you the best view of what’s available now in the Atlanta area.

With a clear sense of your goals—type of freight, schedule, and home time—you can use Atlanta’s dense logistics network to find a local truck driving job that fits your life.