Intermodal Position Local / Regional

CDL-A Inland Port Intermodal Driver

Hiring Radius: Memphis Metro & Mid-South • Terminal: Memphis, TN

Memphis, TN Intermodal 3–6 Year Fleet

Short-haul ocean and rail container moves out of Memphis with daily home time, weekly pay of $1,450–$1,950, and typical annual gross of approximately $88,400 based on a $1,700 weekly average.

Weekly Gross Range
$1,450–$1,950
Typical Annual: $88,400
Sign-On Bonus Up to $2,000
Home Time Daily
Driver Type Local / Regional Intermodal
Weekly Miles Short-Haul Cycles
Freight Type Ocean / Rail Containers

Position Overview

This inland-port intermodal role centers on appointment-driven container movements linking Memphis rail ramps, river terminals, container yards and Mid-South distribution centers.

  • Confirm container numbers, chassis data and seal integrity before departure.
  • Properly couple and inspect chassis equipment prior to highway travel.
  • Follow rail-ramp gate procedures and customer appointment requirements.
  • Record detention, equipment defects and delivery exceptions accurately.
  • Communicate professionally with terminal staff and receiving personnel.
  • Report gate delays, chassis shortages and container problems to dispatch.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Compensation uses a hybrid intermodal model: hourly on-duty pay plus activity pay for each completed container move.

Weekly Gross Range $1,450–$1,950
Typical Weekly Gross Approximately $1,700
Typical Annual Gross Approximately $88,400 ($1,700 × 52)
Container Move Pay $45–$95 per completed move
Hourly Component Approx. $24/hr regular; $36/hr overtime
Sign-On Bonus Up to $2,000 (staged milestones)
Detention Paid on qualifying customer delays

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Home Time Daily return to Memphis area
Operating Radius Memphis metro and nearby Mid-South corridors
Terminal Base Memphis, TN
Typical Weekly Hours Mid-to-upper 40s (40 regular + 8–10 OT)
Dispatch Model Appointment-based with same-day adjustments

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Tractors Freightliner Cascadia day-cabs
Fleet Age Approximately 3–6 years average
Transmission Automatic
Chassis 20'/40' configurations; 53' equipment where applicable
ELD & Safety Systems Geotab ELD; ABS, electronic stability, adaptive technology
Assignment Method Rotational yard dispatch; slip seating possible

Air-ride suspension, pin-lock systems, chassis ABS and twist-lock equipment are standard. Both company-controlled and interchange chassis are used; condition varies by terminal pool.

Real Routes

Freight includes imported consumer goods, industrial materials, packaged products, machinery components and bulk commodities moving in containerized or transload form.

  • Memphis to Olive Branch, MS – warehouse container movements via I-55
  • Memphis to Southaven, MS – short-haul supporting the southern warehouse cluster
  • Memphis to West Memphis, AR – cross-river industrial and distribution via I-40
  • Memphis to Marion, AR – regional industrial freight on the Arkansas side
  • Memphis to Hernando, MS – short regional container runs on I-55
  • Memphis to Tupelo, MS – longer regional when freight extends beyond the metro
  • Memphis to Jackson, TN – industrial and distribution traffic generally on I-40

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • First assignment arrives from dispatch—some loads are pre-planned the night before.
  • Tractor and chassis inspection precede travel to the assigned rail or container yard.
  • Gate check-in, equipment verification and container pickup follow terminal rules.
  • Customer or transload delivery includes seal check, BOL/POD and gate-out documentation.
  • Next assignment may be an empty return, chassis exchange or new loaded container.
  • Productive shifts complete several short rotations; slower days include more waiting.
  • Shift ends with return to the Memphis terminal or approved company parking.

About the Carrier

Short-haul intermodal capacity keeps ocean and rail containers circulating between Memphis rail ramps, river terminals and surrounding distribution centers. A mid-sized regional carrier based in Memphis performs this work by handling container and selected bulk-transfer moves under an appointment-driven dispatch system that reacts to container availability, rail cutoffs and chassis supply. The focus remains on repeated local and regional cycles rather than long-haul mileage, supporting the continuous freight flow that defines the Memphis inland logistics hub and its Mid-South corridors.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Medical / Dental / Vision Options available after eligibility period
Retirement 401(k) plan with company match
Paid Time Off PTO plus paid holidays per company policy
Orientation Paid intermodal terminal and chassis onboarding
Additional Support TWIC assistance, safety incentives, referral bonus

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid and current CDL Class A license
  • 6–12 months of CDL-A experience preferred
  • Acceptable MVR with no recent major moving violations
  • Minimum age 21 and current DOT medical qualification
  • Ability to pass drug screening and Clearinghouse query
  • TWIC preferred for controlled terminal access
  • Ability to couple and inspect chassis and perform light physical tasks

Operational Delays

  • Morning gate congestion and chassis shortages at rail facilities
  • Containers not yet grounded or occupied docks at customer sites
  • Weather and construction effects on I-40, I-55 and bridge crossings
  • Import-volume surges that increase terminal queues
  • Slower periods limited more by container availability than by driver capacity

Hiring Process

1
Application
Submit online application with CDL and employment history
2
Screening
Recruiter contact within one business day
3
Verification
CDL, MVR, employment check, drug screen, Clearinghouse
4
Orientation
Chassis, gate procedures and equipment onboarding

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is this position home daily? ▼
Yes. Drivers normally return to the Memphis terminal or an approved home parking location at the end of each workday.
Q: How does the hybrid pay model actually work? ▼
Drivers earn hourly pay for on-duty time plus $45–$95 for each completed container move. Compensation varies with hours, overtime, completed moves and qualifying detention. Drivers working a typical full schedule can expect weekly gross earnings within the posted $1,450–$1,950 range.
Q: Is TWIC required? ▼
TWIC is preferred for assignments that require controlled terminal access. It is not automatically required for every Memphis-area movement because access rules vary by facility.
Q: How much time is spent driving versus waiting at terminals? ▼
Productive days feature several short container rotations. Gate queues, chassis availability and container grounding can extend wait time, especially during high-volume periods.
Q: Does the driver load or unload freight? ▼
No. The work centers on moving sealed containers and chassis between terminals and customer facilities. Loading or unloading is performed by facility personnel.
Q: Is prior intermodal or chassis experience required? ▼
It is an advantage but not mandatory. Drivers with a solid safety record complete company orientation covering chassis coupling, gate procedures and container documentation.
Q: How is the sign-on bonus structured? ▼
A typical staged payout is $500 after 30 days, $500 after 90 days and $1,000 after 180 days, contingent on active employment and satisfactory safety performance.
Q: Do drivers keep the same tractor every day? ▼
Tractors are assigned through rotational yard dispatch. A regular unit is used when available, but slip seating can occur during maintenance or volume changes.

CDL Job Market

Memphis is one of the most active CDL-A markets in the Mid-South for intermodal, distribution and short-haul freight. Demand is supported by rail intermodal, port-related drayage, warehouse distribution, parcel, retail replenishment, foodservice, manufacturing and river freight operating at the same time. National fleets, LTL carriers, dedicated operators, private fleets and regional carriers all compete for experienced Class A drivers. Drivers familiar with terminals, chassis equipment and appointment-based work find a wide range of local and short-regional options, while competition for those with six to twelve months of experience remains consistent throughout the year.

Location & Freight Market

Memphis sits at the junction of major rail, river and highway networks, functioning as a primary inland intermodal hub for the Mid-South. Ocean containers arriving by rail or river move quickly to warehouses and distribution centers across Tennessee, northern Mississippi and eastern Arkansas. I-40 handles the main east-west flow while I-55 supports north-south movement; I-240 and I-269 let drivers reposition around the metro without entering downtown. Large warehouse concentrations in Southaven, Olive Branch and West Memphis generate steady short-haul container demand. Import cycles, manufacturing output and retail replenishment keep volume moving year-round, with seasonal peaks that rarely drop to zero. The combination of rail ramps, river terminals and industrial districts sustains ongoing need for local and regional intermodal capacity.

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