CDL-A Position Intermodal Position

Regional CDL-A Intermodal Drayage Driver — Lexington, KY

Hiring Area: Lexington, KY • Terminal: Lexington-area

Lexington, KY Regional 2022–2025 Model Years

Regional intermodal container runs between rail terminals and Central Kentucky facilities, with weekly pay $1,500–$2,000 and home daily most days.

Weekly Gross
$1,500–$2,000
Estimated Annual: $78,000–$104,000
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,500
Home Time Home Daily — Most Days
Driver Type Company Driver
Weekly Miles 1,200–1,800
Freight Type Intermodal Containers

Position Overview

Short-haul container moves that link rail ramps serving the Cincinnati and Louisville markets with manufacturing and warehouse sites across Central Kentucky.

  • Verify container numbers, chassis, seals and dispatch instructions before leaving.
  • Couple and uncouple chassis, checking kingpin and locking mechanisms.
  • Follow rail-terminal ingate/outgate and customer gate procedures.
  • Document delays, equipment issues and delivery paperwork accurately.
  • Return empties to the exact location specified by dispatch.
  • Complete DOT-compliant pre-trip and post-trip inspections on tractor and chassis.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Compensation is hourly with overtime after 40 hours, plus qualifying detention. A representative rate near $30.50/hr produces typical weeks around $1,650 and stronger weeks approaching $2,000 when overtime and terminal activity increase.

Hourly Rate $26–$33/hr
Weekly Gross $1,500–$2,000
Estimated Annual $78,000–$104,000
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,500 ($500 after 30 / 90 / 180 days)
Detention Paid after free-time threshold; ~$50 typical week
Overtime 1.5× after 40 hours
Pay Frequency Weekly
Annual Safety Bonus $1,000 (separate from weekly gross)
Referral Bonus $1,250

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Home Time Home Daily — Most Days
Operating Area Central Kentucky with Cincinnati/NKY and Louisville rail work
Base Lexington-area terminal or approved yard
Weekly Miles 1,200–1,800
Typical Hours 44–54 per week
Start Window Approximately 4:00 AM–9:00 AM
Schedule Primarily Monday–Friday; rotating weekend rail coverage as needed
Moves per Shift Approximately 2–3 completed moves

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Tractors Volvo VNL day cabs, 2022–2025 model years
Transmission Automatic
Assignment Assigned when available; controlled slip-seat otherwise
Chassis 20', 40' and 45' (sliding configurations as required)
Safety Systems ABS, electronic stability control, lane-departure, collision mitigation, adaptive cruise on selected units
ELD / Cameras Motive ELD/telematics and forward-facing dash cameras

Chassis inventory changes with container size and terminal stock. Manual landing gear and standard pin-lock systems are used. Maintenance runs through Lexington-area shops and approved roadside vendors; defects are reported via the ELD process.

Real Routes

Loaded and empty intermodal containers move between rail ramps and manufacturing, warehouse or distribution sites. Typical freight includes imported retail merchandise, automotive and manufacturing components, industrial supplies, packaged consumer products and machinery components. Most loads are no-touch.

  • Lexington, KY → Cincinnati, OH → Lexington, KY
  • Lexington, KY → Louisville, KY → Lexington, KY
  • Louisville, KY → Georgetown, KY → Lexington, KY
  • Cincinnati, OH → Lexington, KY → Georgetown, KY
  • Lexington, KY → Nicholasville, KY → Louisville, KY
  • Lexington, KY → Winchester, KY → Cincinnati, OH
  • I-75 primary north-south corridor; I-64 for Lexington–Louisville; I-65 for Louisville terminal access

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • First assignment is usually visible before the shift; later moves are assigned same-day.
  • Terminal check-in, container and chassis inspection, then ingate.
  • Loaded pickup followed by regional highway movement.
  • Customer gate check-in, drop or live placement, POD and dispatch update.
  • Empty return or next container assignment, then rail outgate.
  • Monday often begins with a Cincinnati or Louisville plan; midweek runs more predictably.
  • Thursday and Friday may include extra repositioning ahead of rail volume.

About the Regional Intermodal Operation

Moving containers from major rail hubs into inland manufacturing and distribution sites requires carriers that can absorb schedule changes while still protecting customer appointments. This mid-sized regional fleet concentrates on the short-haul segment that connects rail terminals serving the Cincinnati and Louisville markets with facilities throughout Central Kentucky. Clean gate transactions, correct chassis matching and timely communication when equipment or release status shifts determine daily productivity. Completed container moves matter more than pure highway mileage, and the operating plan is built so most drivers return to the Lexington area after the final assignment of the day.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Health Coverage Medical, dental and vision options
Retirement 401(k) with company contribution/match
Time Off Paid time off and paid holidays
Orientation Paid orientation and required safety onboarding
Intermodal Support Rail-terminal orientation, chassis training, gate procedures and detention documentation assistance

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL with current DOT medical card
  • 6–12 months CDL-A experience preferred; intermodal or chassis experience a plus
  • Acceptable MVR with no serious recent moving violations or preventable major accidents
  • Ability to pass company qualification, background check, drug screen and Clearinghouse query
  • TWIC card is a plus but not universally required
  • Physical ability to climb, inspect chassis, operate landing gear and walk yard areas

Operational Delays

  • Container not yet released or assigned chassis unavailable at the rail ramp
  • Gate congestion at Cincinnati or Louisville terminals
  • Customer receiving windows that run longer than planned
  • Metro traffic, construction or weather along I-75 and I-64
  • Yard congestion during higher-volume retail or manufacturing periods

Hiring Process

1
Application
Submit CDL-A application
2
Recruiter Screen
Experience and expectations review
3
Qualification
MVR, employment and safety review
4
Orientation & First Dispatch
Paid training then first container assignment

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do most drivers actually get home the same day? ▼
Yes. Most drivers return to the Lexington area after the final move. Overnight stays are uncommon and generally occur only because of rail disruptions, HOS limitations or an operational exception. Dispatch arranges approved parking when that happens.
Q: What happens if the container is not ready when I arrive? ▼
Contact dispatch. They may authorize waiting, substitute another container, change the sequence or redirect you based on current terminal status.
Q: Do I unload the containers myself? ▼
No. Warehouse or manufacturing personnel handle unloading. Freight is predominantly no-touch.
Q: How is productivity measured if this is not a mileage job? ▼
By completed container moves and terminal efficiency rather than raw miles. Waiting time is covered through the hourly structure and qualifying detention.
Q: What if I find chassis damage at the ramp? ▼
Do not move unsafe equipment. Document the issue and contact dispatch or maintenance for direction.
Q: Is weekend work required every week? ▼
Most schedules are Monday–Friday. Rotating weekend coverage is used only when rail schedules or container staging create a need.

CDL Job Market

Lexington’s CDL-A market remains active through food and beverage distribution, manufacturing supply, LTL, dedicated retail, construction-related freight and regional dry-van work. Experienced drivers also compete for openings linked to the larger Louisville and Cincinnati–Northern Kentucky freight markets. Local CDL-A pay varies by equipment, freight type, schedule and experience, with specialized intermodal and dedicated positions generally paying above basic local driving roles. Demand stays consistent year-round because automotive supply chains, consumer distribution and industrial manufacturing continue to move freight through Central Kentucky regardless of season.

Location & Freight Market

Central Kentucky sits at the intersection of I-64 and I-75, giving manufacturers and distributors efficient access to both the Cincinnati–Northern Kentucky and Louisville logistics hubs. Automotive production, industrial manufacturing and consumer-goods distribution create a steady flow of inbound components and outbound finished goods that rely on rail for the long-haul segment and truck for the final leg. Louisville and Cincinnati–Northern Kentucky provide major rail and freight connections serving the region, while Lexington-area manufacturers and distributors generate ongoing demand for short-haul container moves into Georgetown, Nicholasville, Winchester, Richmond and surrounding industrial locations. Congestion-management programs operated by KYTC reflect the volume of freight traffic that uses these corridors daily and reinforce the continuing need for regional intermodal capacity.

Start Your Application