Intermodal Drayage Local Routes
CDL-A Intermodal Container Driver – Local Memphis, TN
Hiring Area: Memphis Metro • Rail Ramp and Warehouse Deliveries
Memphis, TN Home Daily Company Driver
Earn approximately $1,350–$1,750 per week hauling sealed containers between Memphis rail ramps, regional distribution centers and industrial customers. Hourly pay with overtime, paid local work and daily home time. A $1,000 sign-on bonus is available under the company's payout terms.
Typical Weekly Gross
$1,350–$1,750
Estimated Annual: $70,200–$91,000
Base Pay $27/hour
Overtime $40.50/hour after 40
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,000
Home Time Daily
Freight Sealed Containers
Job Status: Currently Hiring
• Last Verified: October 10, 2026
Run local container loads between Memphis rail facilities and nearby freight customers. Work is primarily no-touch, but terminal queues, chassis checks and appointment coordination are part of the job.
- Pick up released import or domestic containers and verify container and seal numbers.
- Inspect tractor, chassis, tires, lights, air lines and locking equipment before departure.
- Deliver containers to warehouses, distribution centers and industrial yards.
- Return empties, collect reload assignments or reposition chassis as dispatched.
- Follow rail gate instructions, customer appointments and site-specific safety rules.
- Record arrival, departure, detention and proof-of-delivery details through the ELD or dispatch system.
- Report unavailable containers, damaged chassis, seal discrepancies and delays promptly.
Drivers are paid hourly, not by the mile. Weekly gross depends on hours worked, overtime eligibility, dispatch volume and time lost at terminals or customer facilities. The advertised range is an estimate, not a guaranteed weekly minimum.
Base Rate $27 per hour
Overtime Rate $40.50 per hour after 40 hours, subject to applicable rules
Typical Weekly Gross $1,350–$1,750
Estimated Annual Gross $70,200–$91,000
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,000, paid in stages under company terms
Pay Schedule Weekly direct deposit
Home Time Daily on the assigned local schedule
Typical Workweek Approximately 45–55 hours, depending on freight volume
Shift Options Early-day and evening/night assignments; availability varies
Dispatch Window Early morning or scheduled evening start
Service Area Memphis metro and nearby West Tennessee, North Mississippi and eastern Arkansas
Daily home time is the operating target. Rail congestion, weather, breakdowns or a late customer release can occasionally extend a shift.
Tractor Models International LT and Freightliner Cascadia
Model Years Primarily 2020–2024, depending on availability
Cab Configuration Primarily day cabs
Transmission Mostly automatic
Technology ELD, electronic inspections, forward-facing camera and standard safety systems
Truck Assignment Assigned equipment when available; temporary slip-seating may be required
Drivers pull 20-, 40- and 53-foot containers on compatible company or customer chassis. Any unsafe chassis or locking defect must be reported before the equipment enters public roads.
Loads include sealed retail merchandise, packaged consumer goods, imported products and industrial supplies. Drivers handle transportation and securement checks; freight is generally no-touch.
- Memphis, TN → Olive Branch, MS via I-55 and I-269
- Memphis, TN → Southaven, MS via I-55 and US-78
- Memphis, TN → West Memphis, AR via I-40 and I-55
- Memphis, TN → Marion, AR via I-55 and local industrial roads
- Memphis, TN → Jackson, TN via I-40 when a short-regional load is assigned
- Memphis, TN → Covington, TN via US-51 and connecting local highways
- Memphis, TN → Brownsville, TN via I-40 and US-70/US-79 connections, subject to dispatch
Most assignments remain within the local operating area. Longer runs are occasional rather than the core of the schedule.
- Receive the first container assignment and confirm the rail release.
- Complete the tractor and chassis inspection before entering the ramp.
- Check in at the gate, verify the container number and collect the assigned unit.
- Deliver to the customer's facility and follow its check-in and unloading procedures.
- Submit arrival, departure and proof-of-delivery records; report detention when applicable.
- Return an empty container, obtain a reload or reposition equipment according to dispatch.
- Finish the shift with required ELD entries and post-trip reporting.
About the Carrier
This mid-sized regional trucking operation serves rail terminals, distribution centers and industrial customers across the Memphis freight market. Its intermodal fleet focuses on local container moves, equipment repositioning and scheduled warehouse deliveries. Dispatch balances rail availability with customer appointments, while drivers are expected to communicate delays and protect equipment. The operation uses a practical mix of maintained day-cab tractors and compatible chassis rather than a premium-only fleet. Daily routes are the norm, although freight surges, terminal congestion and customer requirements can affect the length and order of assignments.
Insurance Medical, dental and vision options
Retirement 401(k) plan, subject to eligibility
Paid Leave PTO eligibility under company policy
Training Paid orientation and intermodal safety instruction
Additional Support Referral program and safety recognition where offered
- Valid Class A CDL and current DOT medical qualification.
- At least 6 months of verifiable tractor-trailer experience preferred.
- Acceptable motor vehicle record and safety history.
- At least 21 years old and legally eligible for the assigned interstate work.
- Ability to inspect chassis, climb in and out of the cab and follow terminal procedures.
- Willingness to work the assigned day or night shift; TWIC may be useful for certain facilities but is not universally required.
- Rail congestion when trains are unloaded or container releases are delayed.
- Chassis shortages, equipment swaps or grounded-container handling.
- Warehouse queues, appointment changes and slow customer check-in.
- Rush-hour traffic around I-40, I-55, I-240 and the Mississippi River crossings.
- Thunderstorms, heavy rain, fog or winter weather affecting local travel.
Drivers must record delays accurately and follow dispatch instructions. Detention compensation, when offered, depends on the applicable customer and company rules.
1
Application Review
Review of experience and availability
2
Phone Interview
Pay, shift and route expectations
3
Safety Screening
MVR, background review, drug testing and required Clearinghouse checks
4
Orientation
Equipment, chassis and rail-ramp procedures before dispatch
Q: How much can I earn each week? ▼
Typical gross pay is approximately $1,350–$1,750 per week. Actual earnings depend on hours worked, overtime, dispatch volume and delays. The range is not a guaranteed minimum.
Q: Is this a daily home-time position? ▼
Yes. The job is designed around local Memphis-area work with drivers normally returning home after their assigned shift. Unusual delays can occasionally extend the workday.
Q: Do I need previous intermodal experience? ▼
Previous intermodal experience is helpful but not essential if your general tractor-trailer background meets the company's requirements. Orientation covers ramp procedures, chassis checks and container documentation.
Q: Will I have an assigned truck? ▼
Assigned equipment may be available, but it is not guaranteed every day. Temporary slip-seating can be necessary during maintenance, staffing changes or peak freight periods.
Q: Is the freight physically unloaded by the driver? ▼
Most work is no-touch container transportation. You are responsible for inspecting the equipment, checking seals and container numbers, following customer procedures and completing delivery records.
Q: How does rail-ramp detention affect my shift? ▼
A container may not be released when expected, or a queue may delay pickup. Report the wait to dispatch and document the time. Any separate detention payment depends on the applicable policy.
Q: Is a TWIC card required? ▼
Not for every assignment. Some facilities or customer contracts may require additional credentials, so confirm the access requirements for the specific terminal and route before starting.
Q: How is the sign-on bonus paid? ▼
The advertised bonus is up to $1,000 and is separate from regular wages. Eligibility, installment dates and any retention conditions must be confirmed during recruitment.
Memphis supports a broad market for CDL-A truck drivers because rail freight, distribution, manufacturing and highway transportation operate side by side. Local intermodal drivers compete with applicants for dedicated dry van, regional, food distribution and other home-daily trucking positions. Rail-container work appeals to drivers who prefer hourly compensation and short-haul assignments over long-distance mileage schedules. However, earnings and shift stability depend on terminal volume, customer appointments, equipment availability and overtime hours. Drivers comparing Memphis intermodal jobs should evaluate the base hourly rate, overtime policy, expected weekly hours, home-time reliability and bonus conditions rather than relying on the advertised weekly maximum alone.
The Memphis freight market connects major rail facilities with warehouses and industrial customers across West Tennessee, northern Mississippi and eastern Arkansas. Intermodal container drivers commonly travel between Memphis, Olive Branch, Southaven and West Memphis, using I-40, I-55, I-240 and I-269 to reach distribution areas. Freight includes imported retail merchandise, packaged consumer products and industrial supplies moving between rail terminals and local facilities. These short-haul operations can reduce overnight travel, but rail release schedules and warehouse queues make daily workloads variable. Drivers should expect gate procedures, container inspections, empty returns and dispatch changes throughout a typical shift.