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U.S. Xpress Jobs: Driver Pay, Requirements, and Reviews

U.S. Xpress is one of the nation’s largest trucking carriers. Considered an industry leader because of its strong attention to safety and state-of-the-art technology, U.S. Xpress offers a diverse array of freight transport services, including dry van, refrigerated, car-hauling, and intermodal.

Many drivers consider U.S. Xpress a good stepping-stone into a trucking career. The company offers substantial bonuses, tuition reimbursement, modern equipment, and excellent benefits. However, some drivers complain of poor management, insufficient pay, and an unhealthy work-life balance.

Learn about the types of jobs U.S. Xpress hires for, along with typical truck driver salaries, benefits, employee reviews, and more.

Types of U.S. Xpress Truck Driving Jobs

U.S. Xpress hires for a variety of truck driving positions, including dedicated routes for Kroger and Walmart.

Dedicated Driving for U.S. Xpress

Dedicated drivers with U.S. Xpress have daily or weekly home time and can count on regular routes with consistent stops and locations. These driving jobs are located throughout the continental United States, and drivers receive extra pay for stops and unloading.

Regional Driving for U.S. Xpress

Operating just in the northeast U.S., regional drivers with U.S. Xpress get home every weekend with a predictable schedule and consistent miles. Regional drivers enjoy 98% no-touch freight and great pay.

Team Driving for U.S. Xpress

With weekly home time, team drivers at U.S. Xpress average 5,000 or more miles per week and drive the newest trucks. They get top priority on loads, top shop priority, and mileage incentives. Drivers with doubles and hazmat endorsements earn extra money.

Over-the-Road (OTR) Driving for U.S. Xpress

Drivers with six or more months of experience can apply for OTR driving jobs, averaging 2,500+ miles per week and with predictable home time. OTR drivers get to drive brand new, fully-equipped Freightliner Cascadia trucks and are part of U.S. Xpress’ relatively new Variant division—a sophisticated, digitalized driver-facing fleet that transforms the driving experience.

Driver Trainer Jobs at U.S. Xpress

Applicants with a Class A CDL and one year of safe driving experience can apply to be certified driver trainers teaching students to become safe truck drivers. U.S. Xpress has a certification program for interested drivers.

Lease Drivers and Owner Operators at U.S. Xpress

U.S. Xpress also has opportunities for lease drivers and owner operators, both of which require at least six months of OTR experience. Lease drivers earn $1 to $2 per mile driving 2017-2020 Freightliner Cascadia trucks. Owner operators drive their own vehicles and get consistent miles with 98% no-touch freight and 60-70% drop and hook.

What Companies Does U.S. Xpress Own?

U.S. Xpress owns 90% of the trucking company Total Transportation of Mississippi. It also owns Variant, a digitally orchestrated fleet designed to help drivers get the most out of their driving experience.

How Many Trucks Does U.S. Xpress Have?

As one of the nation’s largest truckload carriers, U.S. Xpress boasts a very large fleet, with 7,000 tractors and 15,500 trailers.

How Much Does U.S. Xpress Pay Drivers?

U.S. Xpress pays its drivers per mile, with rates depending on factors like position type, number of miles, driving experience, and location. However, the specific position and whether you drive solo or in teams are the biggest determinants of driver pay rates.

U.S. Xpress Driver Pay by Position

  • Dedicated drivers: Drivers on dedicated routes earn up to $70,000 annually, with a $12,000 bonus paid out monthly in the first year of driving.
  • Regional drivers: U.S. Xpress regional drivers can earn up to $80,000 per year in regional positions.
  • OTR drivers: OTR drivers with six or more months of experience earn $0.56 per mile, while those with two or more years of experience earn $0.60 per mile. OTR drivers also receive a $2,500 transition bonus.
  • Team drivers: OTR team drivers can earn up to $175,000 per year split ($1,900-2,000 per week per driver). Based on mileage, up to 23,999 monthly miles earns $0.56/mile, between 24,000 and 25,999 miles earns $0.66/mile, and 26,000+ miles earns $0.80/mile. Team drivers may receive a $30,000 sign-on bonus as well. Doubles team drivers average $200,000 annually and up to $0.90/mile. The team pay calculator can help you determine potential earnings.
  • Driver trainers: Certified trainers can earn up to $110,000 per year, including mileage pay, $20 per day for every student in the truck, a safety performance bonus, and $450 for each student who upgrades.

In addition, all drivers get paid for a three-day orientation—between $100-104 per day, depending on the location.

U.S. Xpress Driver Perks and Benefits

Along with salaries that are significantly higher than the national average of $48,710, U.S. Xpress offers drivers a wide range of benefits and perks, including:

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) match
  • Paid vacation
  • Paid orientation
  • Pet and rider program
  • Paid college tuition for drivers and one member of their family (or for two dependents)
  • Driver referral bonuses of up to $4,000
  • Tuition reimbursement of up to $7,000
  • $12,000 bonus for experienced drivers in their first year
  • Sign-on bonuses
  • New equipment averaging 18 months old
  • 1,250-watt inverter in every U.S. Xpress truck

Veterans can take advantage of U.S. Xpress’ military programs, including the Post 9/11 GI Bill® Apprenticeship Program and the Advanced Rate of Pay Program. The Post 9/11 GI Bill® Apprenticeship Program provides eligible veterans with tax-free housing benefits checks from the Veterans Administration while they receive on-the-job training with U.S. Xpress.

Instead of the apprenticeship, veterans can access the Advanced Rate of Pay Program to receive the same pay rate as drivers with two years of experience. Both military programs offer a CDL school tuition reimbursement of up to $7,000.

U.S. Xpress Truck Driver Requirements

All prospective drivers must be 21 years of age and have a Class A CDL. Required driving experience varies depending on the position. Some U.S. Xpress jobs require no truck driving experience, while others require three to six months. Truck drivers with doubles or hazmat CDL endorsements can earn more money per mile.

New truck driver employees must undergo a paid orientation session at U.S. Xpress’ tech-focused training center in Tunnel Hill, Georgia.

Application Instructions for U.S. Xpress Driver Positions

Interested candidates can apply for a driving position with U.S. Xpress on the website. You will need to provide your name, contact information, address, employment history, and driving experience, including license information and any endorsements you may have earned.

Successful applicants attend a three-day orientation that consists of a DOT physical, several health tests, and a road test. U.S. Xpress’ orientation page gives details about the required tests and tips for successfully passing exams.

Truck driver Kayla Taylor outlines the orientation process from a candidate’s perspective in her YouTube video. She explains that attendees receive breakfast and lunch, hotel accommodation, and training pay during the session. She also talks about having to undergo a urine test, hair follicle test, eye exam, and physical exam during her orientation in 2020—as well as two backing tests (45-degree and 90-degree angles) in 40 minutes and a road test.

Is U.S. Xpress a Good Company?

Driver reviews on Glassdoor and Indeed suggest U.S. Xpress is a good place to gain driving experience, but not necessarily the best option for long-term employment. Drivers report inadequate pay, not enough miles, poor management, and too much time away from home as the job’s main drawbacks. However, the majority of drivers cite U.S. Xpress’ new equipment as a workplace plus.

U.S. Xpress Reviews of Truck Driving Jobs

Former and current drivers at U.S. Xpress appreciate working for the carrier as a way to gain vital trucking experience but often feel that the compensation doesn’t match the workload.

“This is a great company to start with and build experience,” a current employee in Chattanooga, Tennessee, writes on Indeed. “As time passes, you’ll quickly realize that compensation is an issue. Most accounts that were available in my area for company drivers paid less than 1k/week after taxes unless there is a weekly guarantee which most accounts don’t have. Also keep in mind, any pay that is being advertised Is before taxes, NOT your take home.”

A former employee in Georgia criticizes U.S. Xpress for being similar to other large trucking fleets. “Another starter company like all mega carriers,” the driver says. “Get your experience and move on to a better opportunity. You work long hours for little pay like all mega carriers. Don’t fall prey to their lease purchase, or any other company’s.”

Several drivers complain of not getting enough miles and inconsistent scheduling. “They were terrible about scheduling routes efficiently. Would sometimes be stuck sitting in other states for days at a time while going months on end with no home time,” a former truck driver in Tennessee says on Indeed. “Pay isn’t terrible IF they keep you rolling, they just usually don’t.”

Many drivers emphasize that you don’t get paid if you’re not driving—even if that’s because of poor weather conditions or long wait times between loads. “You will be running from location to location with very few breaks,” writes a former driver in Tennessee. “There will be situations where you get stuck or experience storms that will trap you and you will not be compensated because you aren’t moving.”

Another former driver from San Antonio, Texas, notes the significantly long layover time as a disadvantage when working for the carrier. “The good thing about the company is they traveled to all 48 states. The bad once again, no scheduled work meant a lot of layover time. If the wheels don’t move we don’t get paid.”

Some drivers suggest moving positions in the company as some departments are better than others. “Local with Kroger was unorganized and had too much unpaid, wasted time for me,” a former driver in Indianapolis, Indiana, details on Indeed. “I would come in around 2 am and sit and wait on a load or a truck or both until around 5am then start my day. Sometimes the load was short or longer. It wasn’t very consistent. OTR with U.S. Xpress [directly] was much better.”

A current dedicated driver lists out some of the pros of the company as, “Depending on what division you work in, the pay can be good and they always get me home when I need to be.” As for cons, they say, “Trucks are governed at 66 [miles per hour] and the communication isn’t the best.”

Other Trucking Companies to Explore

Because some U.S. Xpress truck driving jobs don’t require any truck driving experience, it can be a great place to start your career. However, if you’re looking to get into an OTR position but aren’t immediately qualified, then you may want to consider driving for other large carriers first. By doing this, you will gain experience working with a mega trucking fleet and better understand how they operate and what the job entails.

A few companies to consider are J.B. Hunt Transport, XPO Logistics, Schneider National, and Swift Transportation.