terminals in columbus ohio

Crete/Shaffer and Hunt transport.

 

Alright, jm, I live in the Columbus area also. I moved here almost 10 years ago from the Detroit area when I was working for a company based in this area. As far as trucking goes, this is a great area to be a driver. 50% of the nations population is within 500 miles of Columbus. That means a lot of the freight traffic comes here for distribution or passes through here.

In addition to the aforementioned companies, nearly every large carrier has a terminal here, plus, there are many smaller ones in the area too. Craigslist has a lot of ad postings under transportation. I have noticed that there are a few contractors with FedEx Ground in Grove City looking for drivers. I am now with one. I hauled gas until last month when I was let go (long story) but I can tell you in order to do that job you need at least 2 years driving, and preferably OTR, or you won't get hired.

Bottom line, there are many many many driving opportunities out there, especially here in Columbus. But being closer to a terminal is not necessarily a guarantee of more home time. Especially with the larger carriers. It just means you would have a parking place for your truck every few weeks when you get home for a day or two. Do some research on things in this area. Check out Craigslist. Check out The Dispatch (Sunday has the most ad listings). Hang out at the Pilot or Waffle House on Wilson Rd. and ask the drivers that come through some questions.

Also this one comes to mind. Schneider is looking for tanker drivers in Columbus big time. Not only is it a good company to start with, I got my start with Schneider in the mid 90's, learning tanker is a little more "specialized".

 

Call up Crete and see which school they hire from that is closest to Columbus. If you have a good record, you should be able to get on with them. Very company.

KH

 

It is the freight lanes that get you home. I live 40 miles north of you and drive for Maverick. No terminal near by...but I get home almost every weekend. I only go to a terminal if I am in that vicinity and the truck needs work done on it.

 

If you're looking at foodservice you've got MBM and Sygma right off 270/ roberts rd exit, and Gordon out by Springfield. As a first time driver your options will be limited but get a year in, keep your record clean and you should be able to find some decent local work.