🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Lakeland, Florida
- Route type: Local intermodal drayage (home daily)
- Freight: CSX rail containers, retail imports, manufacturing freight
- Schedule: Rail appointment-based cycles tied to train arrival windows
📋 Job Description
- Pre-trip & post-trip inspections under DOT Part 396 requirements before each yard exit
- CSX rail container moves between Winter Haven, Tampa terminals, and Lakeland staging yards
- Chassis hookup, container securement checks, and seal verification on every load
- ELD compliance using Samsara/Geotab with strict HOS tracking in rail appointment windows
- Drop & hook container swaps with tight terminal turnaround schedules
- Yard navigation in congested rail and port-adjacent facilities with variable dwell times
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
1+ year preferred (container or drayage experience helpful)
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record, no major violations
Physical
Chassis handling, occasional securement checks, yard work
Endorsements
TWIC recommended (some rail terminals)
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: Day cab and slip-seat rotation based on terminal demand
- Fleet average age: 2021–2024 mixed fleet units
- Features: Freightliner Cascadia, Kenworth T680, Volvo VNL, automatic transmissions, collision mitigation systems, lane departure alerts, forward-facing dash cams
- Operational note: unit assignment depends on rail volume and dispatch rotation; no fixed truck ownership on local drayage accounts
🏠 Home Time
- Home daily based on rail completion and dispatch cycle
- Return timing can shift due to CSX train delays, yard congestion, or late container releases
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Lakeland → Winter Haven CSX Rail Terminal via US-98 / FL-540 (short-haul container pull, train arrival-driven dispatch windows)
- Lakeland → Tampa Port Intermodal Yards via I-4 / I-75 / Selmon Expressway (port congestion, chassis availability delays, peak export/import cycles)
- Lakeland → Orlando Distribution Centers via I-4 (retail replenishment flow, tight dock scheduling, high-frequency DC rotations)
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the truck governed?
Yes. Units are typically governed between 65–68 mph depending on terminal policy and safety scoring. Fuel efficiency and CSA metrics are monitored through ELD systems.
Are driver-facing cameras used?
Most units include forward-facing dash cams. Some terminals also use inward-facing monitoring depending on customer account requirements and safety programs.
Is dispatch forced or assigned?
Dispatch is rail-schedule driven. Loads are assigned based on train arrivals, chassis availability, and yard capacity. Senior drivers may receive priority on peak cycles.
What is the detention pay structure?
Detention begins after 2 hours at receiver or rail yard delay. It requires ELD verification and dispatch approval, and is paid on the next payroll cycle.
Are pets allowed?
Generally not on slip-seat or day cab drayage accounts. Terminal-specific policies may restrict pets due to yard safety and frequent truck switching.
Is home time reliable under real traffic conditions?
Home time depends on rail cycle completion, dispatch release, and yard congestion. Late trains, chassis shortages, and I-4 corridor delays can shift return timing.
💼 Career Opportunities
CDL-A intermodal demand in Lakeland stays steady due to CSX rail flow into Tampa and Central Florida distribution hubs. Drivers in drayage typically start in yard-heavy, appointment-based cycles where timing matters more than mileage. Over time, experienced drivers can move into dedicated rail accounts, regional container hauling, or dispatcher roles. Some transition into trainer positions after demonstrating safe yard operations and consistent ELD compliance. Seniority affects assignment priority during peak import cycles when rail terminals run congested. Freight doesn’t slow down in Q4 or retail surges—it just stacks up at the rail gates and pushes tighter appointment windows across the board.
🔗 CDL-A Intermodal Rail Drayage Driver – Lakeland, FL
Lakeland sits in a high-frequency rail drayage corridor tied to CSX Winter Haven terminals and Tampa port logistics. Freight moves in short cycles between rail yards, distribution centers, and staging lots along I-4 and I-75. Congestion builds during peak import windows, especially when chassis pools tighten or trains arrive off-schedule. Drivers work appointment-based dispatch windows where timing, yard entry, and ELD compliance directly affect daily flow. This intermodal structure supports continuous container movement across Central Florida’s warehouse and port network, with heavy reliance on drop & hook efficiency and terminal turnaround discipline.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for CDL-A Intermodal Rail Drayage Driver – CSX Winter Haven / Tampa Rail Network in Lakeland, Florida.
