Intermodal Drayage Home Daily
Local CDL-A Intermodal Container Driver – Memphis, TN
Hiring Area: Memphis Metro and Nearby Mid-South Communities • Terminal: Memphis, TN
Company Driver No-Touch Freight Day Cab Fleet
Move sealed rail and intermodal containers between Memphis-area terminals, yards and distribution facilities. Earn $1,300–$1,700 gross per week with daily home time, overtime opportunities and a staged sign-on bonus of up to $1,500.
Weekly Gross Pay
$1,300–$1,700
Typical Annual Gross: $78,000
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,500
Home Time Daily
Pay Structure Hourly + Move Pay
Typical Schedule 45–50 Hours Weekly
Freight Sealed Containers
Job Status: Currently Hiring
• Last Verified: October 10, 2026
Drive local container routes from Memphis rail facilities to warehouses, yards and regional customers. This is a no-touch company-driver position with appointment-based dispatch and daily return to the Memphis area.
- Pick up and deliver loaded or empty intermodal containers.
- Inspect the tractor, chassis, tires, lights, locks and connections.
- Verify container numbers, release information and seal condition.
- Complete rail-gate check-in and customer appointment procedures.
- Submit electronic bills of lading, delivery records and interchange reports.
- Report terminal queues, chassis problems and customer delays to dispatch.
- Follow DOT requirements, ELD rules and daily inspection procedures.
Pay combines an hourly base, overtime and additional compensation for qualifying completed container moves. Weekly earnings depend on hours worked, move volume and terminal conditions.
Weekly Gross Range $1,300–$1,700
Typical Weekly Gross Approximately $1,500
Typical Annual Gross $78,000 ($1,500 × 52)
Base Hourly Rate $24–$26 per hour
Overtime Rate 1.5× applicable regular rate
Container Move Pay $15–$25 per qualifying move
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,500, paid in stages
Detention Paid under qualifying delay rules
Pay Frequency Weekly
Earnings are gross, before taxes and deductions, and are not guaranteed. The posted range reflects a full working schedule with available freight and qualifying move pay. Overtime eligibility and calculation follow applicable law and the employer's pay policy.
Home Time Daily, after assigned routes
Terminal Memphis, Tennessee
Typical Hours 45–50 hours per week
Shift Primarily daytime; start times vary
Operating Area Memphis metro and nearby Mid-South lanes
Dispatch Appointment-based, with same-day changes
Daily home time is the normal schedule, not a guarantee against every disruption. Late rail releases, bridge congestion, weather and customer delays can extend a shift.
Tractors Freightliner Cascadia and select comparable day cabs
Fleet Age Generally 3–6 years, with some older units
Transmission Primarily automatic
Trailers Intermodal chassis for 20-foot and 40-foot containers; other sizes as assigned
Technology ELD, electronic DVIR and GPS tracking
Safety Equipment ABS and standard tractor safety systems; specifications vary by unit
Truck Assignment Regular assignment when available; slip seating may occur
Equipment is maintained for daily local operations. Drivers must inspect interchange chassis before use and report unsafe tires, lighting, locking mechanisms or structural defects before moving a container.
Assignments depend on container availability, terminal releases and customer appointments. These are representative operating corridors, not guaranteed daily runs.
- Memphis, TN – Olive Branch, MS via I-55 and local connector roads.
- Memphis, TN – Southaven, MS via I-55 and I-69.
- Memphis, TN – West Memphis, AR via I-40 across the Mississippi River.
- Memphis, TN – Marion, AR using I-40 and local industrial access roads.
- Memphis, TN – Hernando, MS via I-55.
- Memphis, TN – Jackson, TN via I-40 for selected regional container assignments.
- Memphis, TN – Tupelo, MS via US-78 for occasional longer regional work.
Most work stays within the Memphis freight market. Longer assignments depend on customer demand and dispatch approval; not every driver receives the same mix of lanes.
- Review the dispatch plan, appointment windows and container release details.
- Complete the tractor inspection and check the assigned chassis.
- Enter the rail ramp or container yard and follow its gate procedures.
- Verify container identification, seal status and interchange condition.
- Deliver the container, obtain required documentation and report exceptions.
- Receive the next assignment, which may involve an empty return or chassis exchange.
- Return to the terminal or approved parking location after the final move.
Productive days may include several short turns. Gate queues, unavailable containers, chassis shortages and occupied docks can reduce the number of completed moves.
About the Carrier
This mid-sized regional trucking operation handles local intermodal transportation for rail-connected freight customers, warehouses and distribution facilities. Dispatch coordinates container releases, delivery appointments and equipment availability across the Memphis area. The operation relies on maintained day-cab tractors, interchange chassis and drivers who can work safely around busy terminals. Work volume changes with customer demand, import activity and rail schedules. Drivers receive operating instructions and equipment orientation, while dispatch remains the point of contact for delays, route changes and container exceptions. The focus is consistent local service rather than long-haul over-the-road mileage.
Health Coverage Medical, dental and vision options subject to eligibility
Retirement 401(k) with company match, subject to plan terms
Time Off Paid time off and holidays under company policy
Orientation Paid equipment and terminal-procedure onboarding
Bonus Up to $1,500 sign-on bonus under staged terms
Additional Support Referral incentives and TWIC guidance where applicable
Benefit eligibility, employee contributions, waiting periods and bonus conditions are confirmed during the recruiting process.
- Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License.
- At least 6 months of verifiable tractor-trailer experience preferred.
- Safe driving history and an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record.
- Minimum age of 21 and current DOT medical qualification.
- Successful completion of required drug screening and Clearinghouse review.
- Ability to perform pre-trip inspections and couple or inspect chassis equipment.
- Ability to work with electronic logs, delivery records and dispatch instructions.
- TWIC is helpful for applicable facilities; requirements depend on the assignment.
- Rail-ramp queues and appointment-window restrictions.
- Containers not yet released, grounded or ready for pickup.
- Chassis shortages, equipment exchanges and inspection issues.
- Customer dock congestion and delayed receiving paperwork.
- Traffic, construction and weather around I-40, I-55 and Mississippi River crossings.
- Changes in rail volume that affect available turns and weekly earnings.
Drivers should notify dispatch promptly when a delay threatens an appointment or affects hours-of-service planning. Waiting time and detention pay depend on the applicable policy and customer qualification rules.
1
Application
Provide CDL details, contact information and employment history.
2
Recruiter Review
Discuss experience, schedule, terminal access and compensation.
3
Qualification
Complete license, MVR, employment, drug-screening and Clearinghouse checks.
4
Orientation
Review equipment inspections, chassis procedures, terminal rules and documentation.
Q: Is this Memphis intermodal job home daily? ▼
Yes. Daily return to the Memphis area is the normal schedule. Major delays, late container releases or exceptional regional assignments may occasionally extend the workday.
Q: How much can a driver earn each week? ▼
The target gross range is $1,300–$1,700 per week, with a planning average of approximately $1,500. Actual pay depends on hours, overtime, qualifying container moves and freight availability. Earnings are before taxes and deductions.
Q: How is the pay calculated? ▼
Compensation combines an hourly base, applicable overtime and additional pay for qualifying completed container moves. Ask the recruiter to confirm the current hourly rate, move-pay rules and overtime calculation before accepting an offer.
Q: Is previous intermodal experience mandatory? ▼
Six months of verifiable tractor-trailer experience is preferred. Previous rail-ramp or chassis experience is helpful, but qualified drivers may receive orientation covering equipment inspections, gate procedures and container documentation.
Q: Do drivers load or unload the containers? ▼
No. This is primarily no-touch container transportation. Drivers move containers on compatible chassis and handle required inspections and paperwork. Facility personnel generally handle the freight itself.
Q: Is a TWIC card required? ▼
TWIC may be required for certain controlled facilities and assignments. Requirements depend on the terminal and customer access rules. Candidates should confirm whether a current card is necessary for their assigned routes.
Q: How is the sign-on bonus paid? ▼
The advertised bonus is up to $1,500 and is subject to the employer's written terms. Ask recruiting to confirm the milestone amounts, payment dates, eligibility requirements and any conditions that could affect payment.
Q: Will I drive the same truck every day? ▼
A regular tractor may be assigned when available. Drivers should expect possible slip seating during maintenance, staffing changes or demand fluctuations. Chassis availability and condition may also vary by interchange yard.
Memphis offers a broad market for CDL-A drivers across intermodal drayage, regional trucking, parcel distribution, LTL freight and dedicated warehouse transportation. Local intermodal employers compete for drivers who can manage rail-gate procedures, chassis inspections and appointment-based deliveries. Publicly advertised pay varies considerably: some local positions list weekly earnings around $1,100–$1,400, while selected regional or more demanding accounts advertise approximately $1,500–$1,800. Experience, shift length, freight volume and compensation structure help explain the difference. Drivers comparing opportunities should evaluate realistic weekly gross, overtime eligibility, detention rules, home time and unpaid waiting rather than relying on the highest advertised figure alone.
Memphis sits at a major crossroads for rail, interstate and river freight, connecting distribution facilities in Tennessee, northern Mississippi and eastern Arkansas. I-40 carries east-west traffic, while I-55 provides a key north-south route through the region; I-240 and I-269 support metro and outer-area movements. Warehouses around Memphis, Southaven, Olive Branch and West Memphis create opportunities for container transfers, empty returns and short-haul deliveries. Actual driver workload depends on terminal release times, customer appointments, chassis supply and import or industrial freight cycles. Seasonal volume surges can increase gate queues, while slower periods may leave fewer paid moves available. Local drivers benefit from knowing the metro's bridges, industrial access roads and terminal procedures.