Intermodal Position Full-time
CDL-A Intermodal Rail Drayage Driver
Hiring Area: Central Illinois • Terminal: Springfield, IL
Springfield, IL Local / Short-Regional 2020–2024 Day Cabs
Haul 20', 40' and 53' intermodal containers across Central Illinois rail ramps and customer sites on activity-based pay of $1,400–$1,950 weekly (typical ~$91,000 annual), returning home daily on most cycles.
Weekly Gross
$1,400–$1,950
Typical Annual: ~$91,000
Sign-On Bonus Up to $2,500
Home Time Home Daily Most Turns
Driver Type Company Driver
Typical Moves 6–8 Qualifying / Week
Freight Type Intermodal Containers
Container release from the rail system and customer appointment windows set the pace. Drivers move equipment between Central Illinois ramps, manufacturing sites and distribution points rather than running fixed long-haul schedules.
- Match dispatched container numbers against the actual unit at the ramp.
- Confirm twist-locks, seals and chassis condition before departure.
- Document BOL, POD and gate paperwork accurately after each delivery.
- Notify dispatch immediately when equipment is unavailable or damaged.
- Protect remaining HOS when gate queues or appointments run long.
- Complete full pre-trip and post-trip inspections on tractor and chassis.
Compensation is activity-based rather than traditional CPM. Qualifying container moves are paid according to lane, distance, complexity and rail-access conditions. Detention on qualifying customer delays is also protected.
Weekly Range $1,400–$1,950
Typical Weekly Gross ~$1,750 (mixed qualifying moves + applicable activity pay)
Typical Annual ~$91,000
Container Move Rate $210–$320 per completed qualifying move
Sign-On Bonus Up to $2,500 ($500 after 30 days, $500 after 90, $500 after 180, $1,000 after 365)
Pay Frequency Weekly payroll
Detention Paid protection on qualifying customer delays
Home Time Home daily on the majority of turns; occasional next-day return on longer Chicago or late-release cycles
Weekly Hours Typically 40–50
Operating Corridor Springfield – Decatur – St. Louis – Granite City – Joliet – Chicago
Terminal Base Springfield, IL
Dispatch Window Approximately 5:00–8:00 AM
Tractors International LT day cabs, 2020–2024 model years (approximately 2–6 years old)
Transmission Automatic
ELD & Safety Systems Omnitracs ELD, electronic DVIR, GPS, dash cameras, collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise on selected late-model units
Chassis 20-ft and 40-ft container chassis, plus 45/53-ft domestic container chassis where assigned; sliding/adjustable configurations and twist-lock systems
Assignment Company-maintained day-cab rotation from the terminal pool
Drivers verify that the container is correctly mounted, locking mechanisms are engaged and the equipment is safe before leaving any facility. Preventive maintenance is scheduled through the terminal or approved regional vendors.
Domestic and international containers move between rail ramps, transload locations, manufacturing plants, agricultural processors and distribution warehouses. Commodity changes by customer—palletized manufactured goods on one assignment, packaged food or industrial products on the next, empties or export-related units later in the day.
- Springfield–Decatur: short local/short-regional turns tied to the Midwest Inland Port and nearby industrial sites
- Springfield–St. Louis: roughly 100–110 miles one way primarily via I-55, with frequent backhaul opportunities
- Springfield–Granite City: St. Louis-area industrial and rail points using I-55 / I-270
- Springfield–Joliet: roughly 175–190 miles one way northbound via I-55
- Springfield–Chicago: roughly 200 miles one way, treated as longer-cycle work
- Decatur–St. Louis combinations of I-72 and I-55 when containers reposition between the inland port and the St. Louis gateway
- Monday–Tuesday often focuses on repositioning containers into Central Illinois on Springfield–St. Louis or Decatur turns.
- Wednesday–Thursday gives dispatch more room to mix customer deliveries with newly released rail equipment.
- Friday tightens around rail cut-offs and facilities that close for the weekend.
- A normal day begins with pre-trip inspection, dispatch confirmation, rail or customer pickup, gate processing, delivery, then empty return or reload.
- Shorter Decatur cycles produce more turns; St. Louis and Chicago assignments consume a larger share of available hours.
- Gate and appointment waiting time is recorded through ELD timestamps and facility records.
About the Carrier
Inland rail ramps and Central Illinois manufacturing and distribution customers generate steady container turnover that depends on carriers able to respond to changing release windows. This mid-sized regional operation specializes in efficient short-haul and short-regional intermodal turns, accurate gate procedures and chassis management from its Springfield base. Its function is to keep equipment circulating between local industrial and agricultural facilities and the broader rail network that feeds larger gateways, avoiding unnecessary long-haul positioning.
Medical / Dental / Vision Medical insurance with employee contribution options; dental and vision coverage
Retirement 401(k) plan with company match
Training & Orientation Paid orientation, rail-ramp orientation, chassis inspection and container-handling training
Additional Support TWIC reimbursement when required, safety performance incentive, driver referral bonus, company terminal parking, roadside breakdown coordination
Other Company-paid ELD and required communications equipment, paid DOT physical renewal, safety apparel for rail-yard operations
- Valid Class A CDL and current DOT medical certification
- 6–12 months CDL-A experience preferred; prior intermodal, drayage, port, rail or container experience strongly preferred
- Acceptable MVR with no recent major preventable violations; must meet company insurance requirements
- Ability to climb in and out of the tractor multiple times per shift, perform chassis and container inspections, work outdoors in changing weather, and communicate professionally with gate and warehouse personnel
- TWIC may be required only for assignments involving regulated maritime facilities or specific customer locations
- Rail gate congestion after multiple trains discharge or cut-off windows concentrate traffic
- Container shown as scheduled but not yet physically accessible or released
- Chassis shortages when equipment is concentrated at other terminals or customer locations
- Customer appointment changes driven by warehouse staffing or production timing
- Winter ice, freezing rain or summer construction slowing I-55 travel and yard productivity
1
Application Review
CDL status, recent driving history and intermodal experience
2
Recruiter Call
Confirm work history, home-time expectations and account fit
3
Screening
MVR, employment verification, background, drug screen, Clearinghouse
4
Orientation & First Dispatch
Paid terminal orientation, equipment qualification, initial assignment
Q: Are all moves completed the same day? ▼
Most short-cycle work returns the same day. Longer Chicago assignments, late rail releases or HOS limits can require a next-day return.
Q: Does the driver load or unload the freight inside the container? ▼
The position is no-touch in most cases. The driver verifies mounting, seals and chassis condition only.
Q: How is waiting time at rail gates or customers handled? ▼
Report early so dispatch can resequence. Qualifying customer detention is documented through ELD timestamps, gate records and paperwork.
Q: What if the container number at the ramp does not match the dispatch? ▼
Report the discrepancy before leaving and follow rail or dispatch instructions. Do not depart with mismatched equipment.
Q: Where do drivers park overnight on longer cycles? ▼
Dispatch may direct drivers to the company yard, approved customer locations, rail staging areas or established truck stops along the corridor.
Q: How long does the hiring process usually take? ▼
Applicants who clear screening typically receive final confirmation within 5–10 business days, followed by paid orientation.
The Springfield and broader Central Illinois market is moderately competitive for experienced Class A drivers. Regional carriers, dedicated fleets, agricultural and industrial operations, LTL terminals and companies serving the St. Louis and Decatur networks actively recruit. Demand is strongest for drivers who already understand customer appointments, ELD compliance, local delivery logistics and specialized equipment. Ordinary company-driver roles commonly sit in the low-to-mid $20s per hour, while specialized tanker, dedicated and experienced regional positions generate higher annual earnings. Intermodal and rail-drayage openings remain valuable because they require chassis knowledge, rail-gate procedures and the ability to work around release timing rather than pure highway miles. Manufacturing, food processing, distribution and agricultural activity, combined with proximity to St. Louis and Decatur intermodal connections, support consistent hiring year-round.
Agriculture, food processing, manufacturing and industrial distribution generate the primary freight base across Central Illinois. These sectors create ongoing demand for inbound containerized imports and outbound empties or export units that must connect efficiently to the rail network. Springfield functions as a practical crossroads along I-55 with access via the I-72 corridor to St. Louis, Decatur, Chicago-area facilities and surrounding industrial customers. Decatur’s Midwest Inland Port serves as a key inland multimodal hub offering container rail service and direct interstate access. The greater St. Louis area supplies additional interchange capacity through shared rail facilities, while Chicago remains a major origin and destination for longer-cycle container traffic. Seasonal agricultural volumes, production schedules and retail import surges shift the balance of inbound and outbound moves, maintaining steady intermodal activity throughout the year.