Truck Driver Jobs in Charleston, SC

Charleston is a high-demand market for truck drivers with a metro population of 850K metro. Major employers in the area include SC Ports Authority, Boeing Charleston, Volvo Car USA, Mercedes-Benz Vans. Key freight corridors like I-26 Northwest Corridor keep loads moving consistently. Across South Carolina, there are approximately 38,000+ active truck drivers. Booming — the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal opened Phase 1 and is expanding to double container capacity. Volvo Cars ramped up EX90 SUV production, Scout Motors is building a $2B EV plant in nearby Blythewood, and the Jedburg/Summerville industrial corridor continues adding millions of square feet of warehouse space.

Truck drivers in the Charleston area typically earn $53,000 - $80,000 annually, depending on equipment type, experience, and routes. The cost of living in Charleston is 6% above national average, meaning your take-home pay stretches further here. The statewide average for South Carolina is $48,000 - $70,000. Charleston's higher demand often pushes local rates above the state average. Typical weekly miles: Local (port drayage): 400-800 | Regional: 1,800-2,300 | OTR: 2,500-3,000.

Major carriers and logistics companies hiring in Charleston include SC Ports Authority, Boeing Charleston, Volvo Car USA, Mercedes-Benz Vans. These companies hire CDL-A, CDL-B, and non-CDL drivers for a variety of positions — from local delivery to OTR routes. Key industries driving freight demand include port operations and automotive manufacturing. O Trucking connects you with loads from these carriers and many others, letting you choose which freight to haul.

Key freight corridors near Charleston include I-26 Northwest Corridor, I-526 Mark Clark Expressway, US-17 Coastal Route. These routes carry port freight and automotive (bmw) freight and provide consistent load availability for local, regional, and OTR drivers. Nearby trucking hubs include Savannah, GA (110 mi via I-95) and Columbia, SC (115 mi via I-26), giving you multiple directional options for outbound loads.

CDL training facilities near Charleston include Trident Technical College CDL and Charleston CDL Training Academy. Most CDL-A programs take 3-7 weeks to complete and cost $3,000-7,000. Some programs offer financing or payment plans. Once you have your CDL, apply with O Trucking and start driving within 48 hours — no weeks of mandatory orientation.

No — your CDL works in all 50 states, and many drivers based elsewhere run loads into and out of Charleston. However, living near Charleston gives you access to local routes (home nightly) and lets you build relationships with area shippers and receivers. Charleston's cost of living is 6% above national average, which is worth factoring into your decision. If Charleston isn't your home base, we can still match you with freight that routes through the area.

The top equipment types for Charleston are: Container/chassis, Flatbed, Dry van, Car hauler. Container/chassis — port drayage from the busiest Southeast port. The port freight sector drives specialized equipment demand. Tell us your equipment type and we'll show you what's available.

Improving — the new Leatherman Terminal has expanded truck staging. Pilot at I-26 Exit 199A (Summerville) is the go-to overnight stop. Love's at I-95/I-26 interchange in Harleyville serves OTR drivers. Port queue wait times can hit 3+ hours during peak import season. South Carolina diesel averages $0.05-0.10/gal below national average. Cheapest fuel is along I-26 between Summerville and the I-95 interchange.

TWIC required for all port terminals. Meeting Street and East Bay Street in historic downtown are no-truck zones. The Ravenel Bridge has a 15 mph crosswind advisory threshold for high-profile vehicles. Oversize loads require SCDOT night-move permits on I-26. Always check local signage for recent changes, especially in construction zones.

Hurricane zone — June through November brings real risk. The 2018 floods showed that I-526 and US-17 flood rapidly. Summers are brutally hot and humid (95°F+ with 80%+ humidity). Winter is mild but rare ice storms can catch drivers off guard. Plan your routes and schedule around these seasonal patterns for the best experience driving out of Charleston.