Weekend Box Truck Driver Jobs: Earn Extra Income on Your Schedule

Two days of driving. An extra $400 to $1,200 in your pocket. And not a word of notice to your weekday boss.

That's the math behind weekend box truck driver jobs, and it's why more people across the Twin Cities are spending their Saturdays and Sundays behind the wheel of a 16-to-26-foot truck. You already know a side income would help. The hard part is finding work that actually pays, fits around a full-time schedule, and doesn't bury you in hidden costs.

This guide breaks down what weekend box truck driver jobs really pay, whether you need a CDL, how W-2 routes stack up against gig apps, and how to land one in Minnesota. At Peak Transport, we hire drivers for exactly this kind of flexible, route-based work, so the numbers here come from the real market, not a recruiter's pitch.

What Are Weekend Box Truck Driver Jobs?

Weekend box truck driver jobs are delivery or route positions worked primarily on Saturdays and Sundays, often with a Friday added for a three-day stretch. A box truck is a straight truck with an enclosed cargo area, usually 16 to 26 feet long and under 26,001 pounds gross vehicle weight rating.

That weight rating matters more than anything else, and we'll come back to it. For now, know that most weekend driving falls into a few buckets:

• Local and last-mile delivery dropping packages or freight to homes and businesses
• Dedicated routes that repeat the same stops each weekend
• Appliance, furniture, and big-and-bulky deliveries that need two days of catch-up after a busy retail week
• E-commerce surge work, where weekend volume spikes and carriers need extra hands

Take Tony, a warehouse worker in Brooklyn Park. He liked his Monday-through-Friday job but wanted to knock out a car loan faster. He picked up a Saturday-Sunday delivery route in early 2026 and now adds around $700 a month without touching his weekday paycheck. That's the whole appeal: predictable extra income, on the two days you already have free.

Curious what weekend routes look like in your city? See current box truck jobs in Minneapolis and the surrounding metro.

How Much Do Weekend Box Truck Drivers Make?

Weekend box truck drivers typically earn $200 to $600 per day, which works out to roughly $400 to $1,200 for a two-day weekend. Hourly W-2 pay generally runs $22 to $28 an hour once weekend and evening premiums are included. In Minnesota, box truck pay sits around $21 to $26.50 per hour depending on the route and whether a CDL is required.

Here is how the pay breaks down by job type:

Job type	Typical pay	Notes
W-2 weekend route (non-CDL)	$21-$24/hr	Steady, costs covered by employer
W-2 weekend route (CDL)	$25-$26.50/hr	Higher rate for Class B holders
Weekend/evening premium shift	$22-$28/hr	Extra pay for off-peak coverage
Per-day earnings	$200-$600/day	Varies by stops, mileage, load type
1099 gig platform (gross)	$40-$180/hr advertised	Net is far lower; see below

For context, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2024 median wage of $44,140 a year for light truck drivers, with the top 10 percent above $79,630. Minnesota runs a little higher than the national figure, with local truck drivers averaging close to $61,000 a year for full-time work. Weekend drivers earn a slice of that, but the per-hour rate is competitive, and the schedule is the real benefit.

A few factors push your weekend pay up or down:

• Stops per route. More deliveries usually mean more pay, especially on per-stop structures.
• CDL status. Class B drivers command a higher rate, even on the same truck.
• Load type. Appliance and furniture work pays more because it is physical.
• Premiums. Overnight, holiday, and peak-season weekends often add a bump.

Do You Need a CDL for Weekend Box Truck Jobs?

In most cases, no. Box trucks rated under 26,001 pounds gross vehicle weight can be driven with a standard driver's license, which is why so much weekend delivery work is open to non-CDL drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration only requires a CDL once you cross that weight threshold.

So what do employers actually want? The basics are straightforward:

• A valid driver's license and a clean driving record
• Age 21 or older for most routes
• A DOT medical card for some positions (your employer will tell you)
• The ability to lift, load, and use a pallet jack or hand truck

If you have driven a personal vehicle reliably for a few years and can handle physical work, you likely qualify for weekend driving today. That low barrier to entry is a big reason these jobs work as a second income. For a deeper look at the openings that skip the CDL requirement, see our guide to non-CDL box truck jobs in the Twin Cities.

W-2 Weekend Jobs vs. 1099 Gig Apps: Which Actually Pays More?

This is where a lot of new drivers get burned. Gig platforms like GoShare and Roadie advertise eye-popping rates, sometimes $40 to $180 an hour. The headline looks unbeatable. The take-home rarely is.

As a 1099 contractor, you cover fuel, insurance, maintenance, and vehicle wear yourself. On top of that, the IRS charges a 15.3 percent self-employment tax on your net earnings. After all of it, drivers commonly keep just 30 to 40 percent of that flashy gross number.

Dana learned this the hard way. She signed up for a gig app that promised "$120 an hour" for box truck deliveries one Saturday. After fuel for her own truck, the platform's cut, and setting aside money for self-employment tax, her real take-home landed near $40 an hour. Still decent, but a third of what the ad implied, and she absorbed all the risk if the truck broke down.

Here is the honest comparison:

Factor	W-2 weekend route	1099 gig app
Advertised pay	$22-$28/hr	$40-$180/hr
Real take-home	What you see	~30-40% of gross
Fuel & vehicle costs	Employer covers	You cover
Insurance	Employer provides	You provide
Taxes	Withheld for you	15.3% self-employment tax
Income predictability	Steady route	Varies by demand

The point is not that gig work is bad. It is that the comparison is rarely apples to apples. A W-2 weekend route at $24 an hour with the truck, fuel, and insurance handled often nets more than a "$100 an hour" gig once the costs come out. We dig into the full breakdown in our guide to W-2 versus 1099 truck driver pay.

Want a weekend route where the truck and costs are on us, not you? Learn about driving with Peak Transport and what our W-2 routes pay.

Is Weekend Box Truck Driving Right for You?

Weekend driving isn't for everyone, and we'd rather you know that going in. It fits some situations perfectly and frustrates others.

It tends to be a strong fit if you are:

• A full-time worker who wants steady side income without a second weekday job
• A student needing flexible hours that don't clash with classes
• Semi-retired and looking to stay active and supplement a fixed income
• Between jobs and bridging the gap while you search

It's a tougher fit if your weekends are already committed to family or you dislike physical, early-start work. Routes often begin early, and loading freight is real labor.

Reuben, semi-retired and living in St. Paul, is a good example of the right fit. He didn't want a full week of work, just something to stay busy and add to his pension. A standing weekend dedicated route gave him the same stops every Saturday, predictable hours, and pay he could count on. If you are weighing how much to take on, our breakdown of full-time versus part-time box truck driving lays out the trade-offs.

Weekend Box Truck Driver Jobs in Minnesota and the Twin Cities

Minnesota is a strong market for weekend driving, and the reason is structural. The growth of e-commerce and middle-mile logistics has carriers moving freight seven days a week, and weekends are when retail backlogs get cleared. That steady demand is exactly what makes a reliable weekend route possible.

Demand concentrates in the Twin Cities metro, where distribution centers and delivery hubs cluster. The busiest areas for box truck work include:

• Minneapolis and its surrounding suburbs
• St. Paul and the east metro
• Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, and the north metro
• Eagan, Burnsville, and the south metro

Because so much of this work runs through the metro, weekend openings come and go quickly. If you are searching locally, start with the city closest to you. You can browse box truck jobs in St. Paul or check the Minneapolis listings linked earlier. Peak Transport runs routes across the metro, and weekend coverage is a regular need on our boards.

How to Land a Weekend Box Truck Driving Job

Getting started is faster than most people expect. You don't need a CDL, a new truck, or months of training. You need to take a few practical steps and apply.

1. Confirm your license and record. A clean driving record is the single biggest thing employers check. Pull your record and address any issues before applying.
2. Get a DOT medical card if needed. Many non-CDL routes do not require one, but having it ready widens your options. A clinic visit is usually quick and inexpensive.
3. Decide W-2 or gig. Use the comparison above. If you want costs covered and steady pay, target W-2 weekend routes.
4. Apply to local carriers. Apply directly to companies running metro routes rather than relying only on aggregator listings, which are often outdated.
5. Be clear about availability. Tell the employer you want weekend work. Dedicated weekend coverage is valuable, and saying so up front helps you get matched faster.

The drivers who land the best weekend routes are the ones who apply directly and communicate clearly. That's it. No gatekeeping, no long ramp-up.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do weekend box truck drivers make?
Most weekend box truck drivers earn $200 to $600 per day, or about $400 to $1,200 for a two-day weekend. W-2 hourly pay generally runs $22 to $28 an hour with premiums. In Minnesota, box truck pay averages $21 to $26.50 per hour depending on the route and CDL status.

Do you need a CDL to drive a box truck on weekends?
Usually no. Box trucks rated under 26,001 pounds gross vehicle weight can be driven with a standard license. A clean record, being at least 21, and sometimes a DOT medical card are the main requirements.

Are weekend box truck jobs W-2 or 1099?
Both exist. W-2 roles offer steady pay with fuel, insurance, and taxes handled for you. 1099 gig apps advertise higher hourly rates, but you cover your own costs and self-employment tax, so net pay is often far lower.

Can you do box truck driving as a side job?
Yes. Weekend and dedicated-route work is popular as a second income because the shifts are predictable and don't conflict with a Monday-through-Friday job.

Where can I find weekend box truck jobs in Minnesota?
Demand is strongest in the Twin Cities metro, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding suburbs. Peak Transport hires box truck drivers for routes across the metro, with weekend coverage a regular need.

Start Earning on Your Schedule

Weekend box truck driver jobs are one of the most accessible ways to add real income without quitting your day job or buying a truck. To recap what matters most:

• Expect roughly $400 to $1,200 per weekend, with W-2 routes paying $22 to $28 an hour.
• You usually do not need a CDL for trucks under 26,001 pounds.
• W-2 routes often beat gig apps once fuel, insurance, and self-employment tax come out.
• Minnesota's metro market has steady weekend demand thanks to e-commerce and middle-mile growth.

The next step is simple: confirm your license, decide what you want from a weekend route, and apply directly to a carrier hiring in your area. If you're ready to put your Saturdays and Sundays to work, apply to drive with Peak Transport and ask about weekend box truck driver jobs in your city.