🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Detroit, MI
- Route type: Cross-Border Regional Intermodal (U.S.–Canada)
- Freight: Intermodal containers (auto parts, retail goods, industrial supply chains)
- Schedule: Rotating 2–5 day cycles with customs appointments and rail dispatch windows
📋 Job Description
- Transport sealed intermodal containers between Detroit rail yards and Windsor, Ontario terminals using approved cross-border corridors.
- Coordinate inbound and outbound freight through Ambassador Bridge and Detroit–Windsor Tunnel with customs scheduling delays.
- Stage containers at rail ramps and port-adjacent yards while adjusting to congestion and dwell time variability.
- Manage cross-border documentation, manifests, and inspection procedures under U.S. and Canadian regulations.
- Operate in high-traffic industrial zones around I-75, I-94, and ON-401 freight corridors impacted by automotive production cycles.
- Adapt routing based on border wait times, weather disruptions off Lake Erie, and dispatch reassignments.
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
1+ year intermodal or port drayage preferred
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record, no major violations
Physical
Occasional chassis handling and container securement checks
Endorsements
FAST Card eligibility required for cross-border freight
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Mixed fleet: Freightliner Cascadia (2022–2025), Kenworth T680, Volvo VNL units
- Intermodal chassis systems U.S. & Canadian compliant with routine maintenance rotation delays
- ELD systems include Samsara and legacy Omnitracs units with occasional signal drop in border zones
🏠 Home Time
- 2–5 day cross-border dispatch cycles depending on customs flow and rail scheduling
- Flexible return routing based on Detroit terminal availability and Windsor unloading windows
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Detroit, MI → Windsor, ON (Ambassador Bridge cross-border container corridor)
- Detroit, MI → Toledo, OH (I-75 automotive freight spine)
- Detroit, MI → Chicago, IL (I-94 intermodal rail-to-truck distribution route)
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
💰 Bonus Structure
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weekly pay range?
Drivers earn between $1,500–$2,150 per week depending on border delays, mileage cycles, and detention time.
How often am I home?
Most drivers return every 2–4 days depending on customs processing and rail yard scheduling.
Is FAST Card required?
Yes, FAST Card eligibility is required for all cross-border freight movements into Canada.
Do border delays affect pay?
Yes, detention pay applies at $25–$50 per hour when customs or terminal delays occur.
What trucks will I drive?
Mixed fleet including Freightliner Cascadia, Kenworth T680, and Volvo VNL units with varying mileage and wear levels.
Do I need intermodal experience?
Preferred but not required; drivers must be comfortable with chassis operations and rail yard procedures.
💼 Career Opportunities
This CDL-A cross-border intermodal position in Detroit represents a long-term entry into one of North America’s most active freight gateways. Drivers operating this lane gain exposure to international logistics between the U.S. and Canada, working directly with rail ramps, port terminals, and customs-controlled freight systems. Over time, experienced drivers can transition into dedicated high-value lanes, mentor new cross-border operators, or move into specialized automotive and industrial freight divisions tied to the Detroit–Windsor manufacturing corridor. Some drivers expand into dispatcher roles or regional planning positions within intermodal networks. While advancement is not guaranteed, consistent performance in this environment often leads to access to more stable or higher-paying freight cycles as carrier demand shifts across Midwest and Canadian supply chains.
🔗 CDL-A Cross-Border Intermodal Driver – Detroit, MI
Detroit CDL-A drivers are positioned at one of the most critical freight gateways in North America, where the automotive and industrial supply chains of the U.S. and Canada intersect daily. The Detroit–Windsor corridor moves continuous intermodal container traffic through rail yards, port terminals, and customs-controlled crossings via the Ambassador Bridge and Detroit–Windsor Tunnel. Drivers in this role navigate I-75, I-94, and Ontario’s 401 corridor, handling time-sensitive freight tied to manufacturing schedules and retail imports. This is a structured regional cross-border position with $1,500–$2,150 per week earning potential and 2–4 day home time cycles depending on dispatch flow and customs clearance. The job requires adaptability to border delays, weather impacts from the Great Lakes region, and fluctuating rail yard congestion. Modern intermodal freight systems ensure consistent volume, making Detroit one of the most active CDL-A trucking markets in the Midwest.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for CDL-A Cross-Border Intermodal Driver – Detroit to Windsor Canada Runs in Detroit, MI.
