🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Los Angeles, CA
- Route type: Local intermodal drayage (port–rail–warehouse loop)
- Freight: Ocean containers (import/export retail & industrial goods)
- Weekly mileage: ~500–900 miles (high stop frequency, short hauls)
📋 Job Description
- Move sealed containers from Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach terminals into Inland Empire distribution corridors under strict appointment timing
- Coordinate daily pickups from BNSF / Union Pacific rail ramps where container stacks shift constantly depending on vessel arrivals
- Run short freeway legs across LA congestion zones using I-710, I-110, and I-5 freight corridors
- Drop loaded containers at warehouse staging yards in Ontario, Fontana, and Moreno Valley for deconsolidation
- Return empty chassis and reposition equipment back into port rotation cycles
- Operate under live dispatch systems reacting to vessel unload waves and rail schedule delays
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
6+ months preferred, intermodal exposure helpful
Age
21+ years
MVR
Stable record, minor incidents reviewed case-by-case
Physical
Chassis hook/unhook, occasional seal checks, yard walking
Endorsements
Hazmat not required but container experience preferred
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Mixed intermodal tractors (older Freightliner Cascadia units 2019–2022, some rough around edges, scratched fairings, but mechanically solid)
- Occasional Kenworth T680 port tractors used for chassis-heavy rotations
- Standard 40–53 ft container chassis, sometimes mismatched or swapped last minute in yard chaos
- Basic ELD + dispatch tablets that lag during peak port surges
🏠 Home Time
- Return home daily after port or rail completion cycles
- Occasional late-night runs during vessel arrival spikes
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Los Angeles, CA → Long Beach, CA (Port container repositioning via I-710 freight corridor)
- Los Angeles, CA → Ontario, CA (Inland Empire warehouse distribution loop via I-10)
- Carson, CA → San Bernardino, CA (rail ramp container transfer via I-405 / I-10 interchange flow)
🎁 Benefits
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How chaotic are port schedules in Los Angeles?
They shift constantly based on vessel arrivals, so drivers must adapt to sudden dispatch changes and container availability fluctuations.
Do I stay home every night?
Yes, most drivers return daily, but late shifts happen when ships unload overnight at Long Beach or San Pedro terminals.
What kind of freight delays happen most often?
Chassis shortages and rail ramp congestion are common, especially during peak import cycles from Asia.
Is freeway driving heavy in this job?
Yes, expect constant use of I-710, I-5, and I-110 with heavy traffic around port corridors and warehouse zones.
What equipment issues should I expect?
Occasional older tractors and mismatched chassis setups during peak port demand periods.
How fast can I get loaded at terminals?
It varies widely — some pickups are instant, others require waiting in stacked container queues.
💼 Career Opportunities
This intermodal CDL-A position in Los Angeles is part of one of the most active freight systems in the United States, where container movement never really stops. Drivers here are not locked into long-haul isolation but instead operate inside a dense logistics web that connects global shipping lines with domestic distribution. Over time, drivers can move into dedicated port accounts, high-priority rail ramp assignments, or become lead operators managing yard rotations and container staging flows.
Experienced drivers often transition into specialized freight handling roles such as oversized chassis coordination or hazardous container verification lanes. Some move into trainer positions guiding new hires through the complex LA port environment, where timing and coordination matter more than distance. The system also opens pathways into dispatch coordination or fleet planning roles inside intermodal carriers.
Because freight volume in Los Angeles is tied to global trade cycles, consistent demand keeps this lane active year-round, giving drivers a stable base with room to scale income through peak vessel periods and overtime rotations.
🔗 Intermodal CDL-A Driver — Los Angeles, CA
CDL-A jobs in Los Angeles, CA remain among the most active opportunities in the West Coast trucking market due to the constant movement of imported goods through the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach. These truck driving jobs in California focus heavily on intermodal container transfer systems, where drivers operate between ports, rail yards, and Inland Empire warehouses. Unlike traditional OTR CDL jobs, this role is structured around short-haul cycles, meaning drivers stay closer to home while still participating in global freight movement.
Pay typically ranges from $1,450–$2,050 per week depending on vessel volume, overtime, and port congestion cycles. Home time is usually daily, though night rotations are common when ships unload during peak hours. Equipment includes intermodal tractors and container chassis setups that vary based on yard availability and dispatch rotation. Routes are concentrated along I-710, I-5, I-10, and I-110 corridors, creating a high-frequency loop system rather than long-distance highway driving.
For drivers comparing local, regional, and OTR CDL jobs, this position offers a structured alternative focused on consistency and freight repetition rather than long mileage. It is ideal for those who prefer predictable cycles tied to warehouse and distribution center demand rather than unpredictable long-haul routes.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for Intermodal CDL-A Driver — Los Angeles, CA Rail & Port System.
