🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Columbus, OH
- Route type: Local home-daily intermodal drayage
- Freight: Rail containers (CSX / Norfolk Southern)
- Schedule: Structured rail ramp dispatch cycles with drop & hook operations
📊 Local Market Insights
Columbus operates as one of the strongest inland intermodal freight nodes in the Midwest, anchored by the Rickenbacker Inland Port, where CSX and Norfolk Southern rail volumes continuously feed containerized freight into regional distribution networks. High-frequency drayage movements connect rail yards with warehouse clusters in Groveport, Grove City, and the South Columbus industrial corridor. The I-270 beltway acts as the primary freight circulation loop, while I-70 and I-71 funnel inbound and outbound freight toward Indiana, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania markets. Retail replenishment cycles and manufacturing supply chains keep container turnover steady, though rail congestion windows and chassis availability can create uneven dispatch pacing during peak import surges.
📋 Job Description
- Move intermodal containers between rail yards and warehouses
- Perform CSX & Norfolk Southern rail yard pickups and deliveries
- Execute drop & hook container operations
- Handle chassis inspections and securement checks
- Maintain DOT compliance and trip documentation
- Coordinate with dispatch for rail ramp scheduling
⭐ Why Drivers Choose This Job
- Stable daily freight flow from Rickenbacker rail operations
- Predictable home-daily schedule compared to OTR volatility
- Fast turnaround drop & hook container system
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
6+ months preferred, intermodal experience a plus
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record, no major violations
Physical
Container securement & chassis handling
Endorsements
None required
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: Dedicated / slip-seat intermodal fleet rotation
- Fleet average age: 2–6 years mixed fleet
- Features: Freightliner Cascadia, Kenworth T680, Volvo VNL units with mixed ELD systems (Samsara / Omnitracs), occasional truck swaps due to maintenance scheduling and rail yard turnaround pressure
🏠 Home Time
- Home daily in most dispatch cycles
- Occasional every-other-day rotation during peak rail volume
🗓 Typical Weekly Schedule
- Monday – Rail yard pickups from Rickenbacker
- Tuesday – Warehouse drayage runs (Groveport/Grove City)
- Wednesday – Container returns & chassis swaps
- Thursday – Regional delivery cycles via I-70 corridors
- Friday – Final rail yard dispatch & resets
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Columbus, OH → Rickenbacker Rail Hub, OH (CSX container pickup cycles)
- Columbus, OH → Dayton, OH (I-70 westbound retail distribution freight)
- Columbus, OH → Cincinnati, OH (I-71 southbound warehouse supply chain runs)
⚠️ This Job May Not Be a Fit If
- You prefer long-haul OTR routes over repetitive local rail cycles
- You struggle with rail yard delays or dispatch variability
- You want strictly predictable hourly scheduling without freight fluctuation
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
💰 Bonus Structure
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weekly pay range?
Drivers typically earn $1,100–$1,450 per week depending on volume and rail dispatch cycles.
What is the schedule like?
Most drivers are home daily, with occasional every-other-day rotations during peak freight demand.
What type of freight is hauled?
Mainly intermodal containers moving between rail yards and distribution warehouses.
What equipment is used?
Modern tractors including Freightliner, Kenworth, and Volvo units with chassis setups.
Is experience required?
6 months CDL-A experience preferred but not strictly required for strong candidates.
What are the main routes?
Columbus to regional Ohio freight corridors including Dayton and Cincinnati via I-70 and I-71.
🔗 Intermodal CDL-A Driver – Columbus, OH
Columbus, OH is a critical Midwest intermodal freight hub powered by the Rickenbacker Inland Port, where continuous rail container flow from CSX and Norfolk Southern feeds high-volume drayage operations. This role supports fast-turn freight movement between rail yards and warehouse districts across Central Ohio, including Groveport, Grove City, and the broader I-270 logistics belt. Drivers benefit from structured dispatch cycles, drop & hook efficiency, and consistent regional freight demand driven by retail, manufacturing, and import distribution networks. With predictable home-daily scheduling and stable container volumes, this position offers a balanced alternative to long-haul OTR while maintaining steady earning potential in one of Ohio’s strongest logistics corridors.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for Intermodal CDL-A Driver – Columbus, OH (Rickenbacker Rail Hub) in Columbus, OH.
