🗺 Terminal Base & Operating Area
- Terminal: Port of Tacoma and nearby rail facilities
- Primary territory: Western Washington (Pierce, King, Snohomish, Thurston counties)
- Route style: Multiple daily container moves between marine terminals, rail ramps, warehouses and customer yards
- Typical shift: Early starts (4-7 AM) based on vessel schedules, 9-11 hours
📦 What the Day Looks Like From Dispatch
Drivers start by checking tablet assignments, complete pre-trip and chassis inspection, then head out for the first container retrieval — usually empty chassis to a terminal or loaded import from the port. Expect four to seven moves per shift involving 20', 40', 45', and 53' containers. Most work is no-touch freight, but you handle seal verification, container condition checks, and electronic interchange paperwork throughout the day. Port gates, chassis availability, and occasional customs holds are part of normal operations. Dispatch adjusts appointments as needed when vessel arrivals or traffic on I-5, SR-167, or SR-509 create backups.
🚛 Tractors & Equipment You’ll Run
- Primarily 2021–2025 Freightliner Cascadia, Volvo VNL 760, Kenworth T680
- Automatic transmissions with air-ride suspension
- ELD, forward-facing cameras, GPS, PrePass, company fuel cards
- Company-owned chassis for all container moves
- In-house maintenance shop plus regional vendors
✅ Driver Qualification Standards
License
Valid CDL-A
Experience
Minimum 12 months tractor-trailer experience
Credentials
Valid TWIC Card (required before start)
Medical & Screening
Current DOT Medical Card, clean MVR, pass drug screen and background check
Skills
Comfort working marine terminals, rail yards, ELD proficient, strong safety focus
🔄 Terminal Flow & Daily Realities
- Appointment-based pickups and deliveries with variable gate wait times
- Detention pay after 90 minutes, additional port delay pay
- Chassis split pay and extra stop pay when applicable
- Freight mix: Import/export containers, consumer goods, building materials, retail, food products in dry vans
- Seasonal volume spikes during heavy import periods may require occasional Saturday work
🎁 What’s Included for Drivers
❓ Questions Drivers Usually Ask
How consistent are the hours?
Most days run 9-11 hours depending on terminal traffic and vessel schedules. Home daily is standard, though heavy port days can run longer.
Is previous container experience required?
Preferred but not required. We provide orientation for drivers with solid general CDL-A experience who are comfortable in terminal environments.
What about chassis and equipment issues?
Company fleet includes newer units and well-maintained older tractors. In-house shop handles most preventive work. Chassis availability is part of daily port operations.
How does pay work on slower days?
Hourly base plus detention and delay pay helps protect earnings. Weekly estimates reflect realistic volume across the year.
📍 Port Container Work in Tacoma
Tacoma CDL-A drivers handling intermodal containers move loaded and empty units between Port of Tacoma marine terminals, rail intermodal yards, distribution centers and local customers throughout the Puget Sound region. This local position keeps you in western Washington with home daily returns after shifts that typically involve multiple short container hauls rather than long highway runs. Expect early morning starts aligned with vessel arrivals, appointment-based work, and the normal port variables — gate lines, chassis shortages, customs inspections, and traffic on key freight corridors like I-5. Pay is structured hourly at $33.40–$36.85 with detention after 90 minutes and port delay pay, leading to realistic weekly earnings of $1,520–$1,890. Drivers operate late-model Freightliner, Volvo and Kenworth tractors pulling company chassis with 20 to 53-foot containers carrying consumer goods, building materials, retail merchandise and other dry freight. The role suits experienced drivers who stay patient with terminal operations and prefer consistent local work over unpredictable over-the-road schedules. Most weeks stay Monday-Friday with occasional Saturday availability during peak import seasons. All drivers must hold a valid TWIC card prior to starting.
🚀 Apply for the Port Intermodal Position
Submit your information below to be considered for the CDL-A Port Intermodal Container Driver role based in Tacoma, Washington. Qualified applicants will be contacted by our recruiting team.