🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Jacksonville, FL
- Route type: Local home-daily port drayage
- Freight: Intermodal containers (retail imports, consumer goods, industrial components)
- Schedule: Port-driven shifts with early morning gate entries and evening congestion windows; weekday focus with optional weekend freight
📋 Job Description
- Move containers between Blount Island and Talleyrand terminals and nearby DCs along I-295 while adjusting to port gate queues and chassis availability
- Coordinate dispatch timing around JAXPORT appointment systems and peak vessel unload periods to reduce idle time
- Secure containers using twist locks and verify chassis condition before entering I-95 and I-10 corridors
- Navigate Jacksonville port congestion, especially near Heckscher Drive and downtown bridges during peak hours
- Handle rail transfers at CSX and Norfolk Southern ramps with tight yard space and active switching operations
- Maintain accurate interchange paperwork and communicate delays caused by port inspections or weather slowdowns
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
6–12 months intermodal or tractor-trailer experience preferred
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record, no major violations
Physical
Occasional climbing on chassis and securing containers
Endorsements
TWIC required
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Mixed fleet of Freightliner Cascadia (2022–2025), Kenworth T680, and some Volvo VNL units with varying mileage and condition
- Company and pool chassis with wear from port usage; occasional delays due to chassis shortages or maintenance holds
- Samsara and Omnitracs ELD systems with occasional signal drops near port cranes and rail yards
🏠 Home Time
- Home daily after completing port runs within Jacksonville metro area
- Optional overnight loads to Savannah or Central Florida based on freight demand
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Jacksonville, FL → Savannah, GA via I-95 (container repositioning between port networks)
- Jacksonville Port → Orlando, FL via I-95 & I-4 (retail import distribution to inland warehouses)
- Blount Island Terminal → Jacksonville DC loop via I-295 (local container shuttles and drop yards)
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
💰 Bonus Structure
This position includes performance-based and operational bonuses designed to increase total weekly earnings.
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How busy is JAXPORT for drivers?
Freight is steady year-round with peak congestion during vessel arrivals and morning gate openings.
Do I deal with long wait times?
Yes, port delays happen, especially mid-day, but detention pay compensates extended wait periods.
Is this strictly local work?
Primarily local, but occasional regional runs to Savannah or Central Florida are available.
How is dispatch structured?
Dispatch is port-driven with real-time adjustments based on container availability and terminal flow.
What condition is the equipment in?
Fleet is mixed; some newer trucks, but chassis and units show typical port wear and rotation delays.
Do I need port experience?
Preferred but not required; drivers must be comfortable with tight turns and port procedures.
💼 Career Opportunities
This CDL-A intermodal position in Jacksonville offers long-term career flexibility within a growing Southeast logistics hub. Drivers who gain experience navigating JAXPORT operations often move into dedicated port accounts with more predictable freight cycles and higher earning consistency. Some transition into regional container lanes connecting Florida to Georgia and the Carolinas, expanding mileage and income potential. Others move into dispatcher or yard coordination roles after learning port appointment systems and container flow management. Experienced drivers may also shift into specialized intermodal equipment or rail-connected operations with CSX and Norfolk Southern. Advancement is not guaranteed and depends on performance, safety record, and ability to handle port pressure, but Jacksonville remains one of the more stable markets for drivers seeking steady container freight and long-term positioning in port logistics.
🔗 CDL-A Intermodal Container Driver – Jacksonville Port (JAXPORT) – Jacksonville, FL
CDL-A jobs in Jacksonville, FL are heavily influenced by port activity, and this role reflects the steady demand coming from JAXPORT’s growing container volume. Truck driving jobs in Florida, especially in Northeast Florida, are driven by import/export freight moving along I-95, I-10, and the I-295 beltway connecting warehouses and inland hubs. This local CDL-A job offers home daily time, consistent port freight, and weekly earnings between $1250–$1750. Unlike OTR routes, intermodal work here focuses on short-haul container movement with real-world delays like port congestion, chassis shortages, and rail yard coordination. Jacksonville’s logistics network continues expanding with distribution centers supporting retail and manufacturing supply chains. Drivers seeking stable local CDL jobs with predictable freight cycles will find this role aligned with the region’s freight economy, though it requires patience with port operations and flexibility in dispatch timing.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for CDL-A Intermodal Container Driver – Jacksonville Port (JAXPORT) in Jacksonville, FL.
