CDL-A Company Driver Intermodal Drayage
CDL-A Intermodal Drayage Truck Driver – San Antonio, TX
Hiring Area: San Antonio, Texas • Regional Rail & Container Freight
San Antonio / Von Ormy Home Daily Most Shifts Company Tractor
Move sealed intermodal containers between the San Antonio rail network, local distribution centers and selected Laredo freight facilities. This company-driver position pays $1,450–$1,750 in typical weekly gross earnings, combining mileage, qualifying container moves and eligible detention. Most local assignments return to the terminal daily, while extended Laredo turns may occasionally require an overnight.
Typical Weekly Gross
$1,450–$1,750
Annualized: $75,400–$91,000
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,500
Home Time Daily on most assignments
Driver Type W-2 Company Driver
Weekly Miles 1,900–2,500
Mileage Rate $0.62–$0.68 CPM
Additional Pay Move Pay & Detention
Run container moves around the San Antonio–Laredo freight corridor with dispatch assignments based on rail availability and customer appointments.
- Pick up and deliver sealed containers between rail ramps, yards and customer facilities.
- Inspect the tractor, chassis, tires, lights, connections and locking equipment before departure.
- Verify container numbers, seal information and interchange documentation.
- Follow terminal gate procedures, customer appointments and dispatch instructions.
- Complete electronic trip records, delivery confirmations and equipment condition reports.
- Report queues, unavailable containers, chassis defects and detention promptly.
- Maintain HOS compliance and return to the terminal or approved parking location as dispatched.
Weekly earnings depend on paid mileage, completed qualifying moves and approved accessorial pay. The figures below are gross pay before taxes and deductions.
Typical Weekly Gross $1,450–$1,750
Annualized Gross $75,400–$91,000 at 52 paid weeks
Mileage Pay $0.62–$0.68 per paid mile
Container Move Pay $25 per qualifying completed move
Detention Pay $25/hour after the account's qualifying free time, with required documentation
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,500, subject to the written eligibility and payment schedule
Pay Frequency Weekly payroll
The weekly range is an earnings estimate, not a guaranteed minimum. Actual pay varies with dispatch volume, paid miles, completed moves, delays and account eligibility. Bonus and accessorial payments are not guaranteed weekly wages.
Home Time Home daily on most San Antonio assignments; occasional next-day return
Operating Area San Antonio, Von Ormy, Schertz, New Braunfels, Seguin and selected Laredo turns
Typical Weekly Miles Approximately 1,900–2,500 paid miles, depending on dispatch
Start Times Variable morning, afternoon or evening starts
Dispatch Rail releases, customer appointments and equipment availability determine assignments
Workweek Full-time operation; weekly days and hours depend on account volume and scheduling
Home-daily work is the normal target for local cycles, not a guarantee for every dispatch. Drivers must follow HOS rules and use approved parking when an extended turn cannot be completed safely within the available driving window.
Primary Tractors Freightliner Cascadia and Kenworth T680, primarily 2021–2025 model years
Configuration Day-cabs for local work; regional sleepers for selected extended turns
Transmission Automatic transmissions on most assigned units
Chassis & Containers Customer or terminal-provided chassis; container size depends on the dispatched move
Safety Systems ELD, electronic communications, forward-facing camera and driver-assistance systems where equipped
Equipment Assignment Assigned tractor when operationally available; temporary swaps may occur during service or maintenance
The fleet is a working regional mix rather than an all-new premium fleet. Preventive maintenance, defect reporting and road-service coordination are handled through the carrier's maintenance process.
Assignments connect South Texas rail facilities with distribution centers, industrial customers, transload yards and border-related freight operations.
- Von Ormy, TX → San Antonio, TX via I-35 and local access roads
- San Antonio, TX → Schertz, TX via I-35 and the Northeast Side freight corridor
- San Antonio, TX → New Braunfels, TX via I-35
- San Antonio, TX → Seguin, TX via I-10
- Von Ormy, TX → Laredo, TX via I-35
- Laredo, TX → San Antonio, TX via I-35, subject to container availability and dispatch
- Local rail ramp → warehouse or transload facility → return yard within the San Antonio metro
Routes are examples of the operating corridor, not a promise that every lane is available each week. Loaded and empty equipment movements, customer locations and terminal releases determine the actual trip sequence.
- Receive the first assignment with container details, pickup instructions and delivery window.
- Check in at the rail gate or designated staging yard and verify equipment availability.
- Inspect the chassis and container, confirm secure connections and record interchange details.
- Move the container to the receiving facility and complete the required delivery or drop procedure.
- Return the empty container or chassis as directed and obtain the next available assignment.
- Complete multiple local turns when distance, gate queues and appointment windows allow.
- Submit delivery records, document qualifying detention and report defects before accepting another move.
About the Carrier
This regional trucking operation supports intermodal freight and short-haul container transportation across South Texas. Its work connects rail terminals, distribution facilities, industrial customers and selected border-market accounts. Dispatchers coordinate pickup windows, container releases, chassis availability and delivery appointments, while drivers handle inspections, equipment exchanges and required electronic documentation. The fleet combines established highway tractors with newer units as equipment cycles through replacement and maintenance. Day-cab operations form the core of local assignments, with regional sleeper equipment available for certain extended trips. Daily workloads depend on freight volume, terminal congestion and customer schedules rather than a fixed number of turns. The operation is suited to CDL-A drivers who prefer practical regional freight work, understand the importance of safe chassis handling and can adapt when rail or customer conditions change.
Health Coverage Medical, dental and vision plan options, subject to eligibility
Retirement 401(k) participation and company contribution or match according to plan terms
Time Off Paid vacation and holiday benefits according to company policy
Safety Incentives Additional incentives may be available under the applicable safety program
Orientation Paid orientation and account-specific intermodal procedures
On-Road Support Dispatch communication, maintenance coordination and roadside breakdown assistance
Terminal Access Guidance on TWIC and customer-specific access requirements where applicable
Benefit availability, waiting periods, employee contributions and incentive eligibility depend on the applicable plan and employment terms. Confirm details during the hiring process.
- Valid Class A CDL and current DOT medical qualification, as applicable.
- Minimum age 21 for interstate commercial driving.
- At least 6 months of recent CDL-A experience preferred; intermodal or drayage experience is an advantage.
- Acceptable motor vehicle record and employment history under company and applicable safety standards.
- Ability to perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections and identify unsafe chassis or container conditions.
- Ability to work outdoors around rail terminals, industrial yards and commercial vehicles.
- TWIC may be required for specific facilities; ordinary general-freight container assignments do not automatically require HazMat endorsement.
- Rail containers may be unavailable because of release timing, grounding sequences or terminal holds.
- Chassis shortages, tire defects, damaged lights or locking problems can delay departure.
- Customer appointment changes and congested receiving yards can extend delivery time.
- I-35 traffic, construction and weather can disrupt San Antonio–Laredo turn schedules.
- Import surges may increase rail-gate queues and reduce the number of completed moves.
- Longer turns can affect daily home time and require approved parking or a next-day return.
Drivers are expected to report delays promptly, retain required documentation and follow dispatch and HOS requirements rather than rush an unsafe or incomplete trip.
1
Application
Submit your CDL-A application and driving history.
2
Recruiter Screen
Review experience, schedule and pay expectations.
3
Qualification Review
Verify license, MVR and required employment records.
4
Safety Clearance
Complete required DOT drug testing and Clearinghouse procedures.
5
Orientation
Review equipment inspections, terminal rules and account procedures.
6
First Dispatch
Confirm equipment assignment and begin scheduled operations.
Q: How much can a CDL-A intermodal driver earn in San Antonio? ▼
Typical weekly gross earnings are estimated at $1,450–$1,750, including mileage and qualifying accessorial pay. Actual earnings depend on paid miles, completed moves, detention eligibility and available freight.
Q: Is this an actual home-daily trucking position? ▼
Most local San Antonio assignments are planned around a daily return. Extended Laredo turns, terminal delays and HOS limits can occasionally require an overnight stay, so daily home time is not guaranteed on every dispatch.
Q: Does the job pay by the mile or by the container move? ▼
Compensation combines $0.62–$0.68 per paid mile with $25 for each qualifying completed container move. Eligible detention is paid separately under the account's documented free-time and approval rules.
Q: How often do drivers travel between San Antonio and Laredo? ▼
Laredo assignments are part of the operating network, but they are not guaranteed daily. Dispatch depends on container releases, customer demand, available equipment and the driver's legal hours of service.
Q: Do drivers load or unload the containers? ▼
Drivers primarily transport sealed containers and handle the associated equipment, inspection and interchange documentation. They do not normally unload the freight inside the container.
Q: Is a TWIC card required? ▼
TWIC is not automatically required for every assignment. Certain terminals or customer facilities may require it, and drivers should confirm the access requirements for their assigned account before starting.
Q: What trucks and trailers are used? ▼
The working fleet primarily includes Freightliner Cascadia and Kenworth T680 tractors from a mix of model years. Container chassis are supplied through the applicable terminal, customer or equipment pool.
Q: Can drivers with limited intermodal experience apply? ▼
Yes, applicants with at least six months of CDL-A experience are encouraged to discuss their qualifications. Rail-yard experience is an advantage, and applicants must be able to learn chassis inspections, gate procedures and container documentation.
San Antonio offers a varied market for CDL-A drivers, including regional truckload, dedicated distribution, LTL, foodservice, construction and intermodal transportation. Competition differs by job type: conventional local driving attracts a broad applicant pool, while container work requires additional familiarity with chassis inspections, rail-gate procedures and interchange records. The I-35 corridor creates a distinct employment option for drivers interested in freight moving between San Antonio and the Laredo border market. Applicants comparing CDL-A intermodal jobs should evaluate the full compensation structure rather than mileage rates alone, because move pay, detention rules, dispatch volume and unpaid waiting can materially affect weekly earnings. Home-daily schedules are attractive, but rail operations remain dependent on container availability and customer appointments. For experienced drivers, a regional carrier can offer a practical alternative to long-haul work, provided the advertised pay, equipment assignment and home-time expectations match the actual account.
San Antonio's freight geography is shaped by I-35, I-10 and I-37, with additional distribution access through Loop 1604 and the city's industrial corridors. Rail-served operations around Von Ormy connect container transportation with regional warehouses, manufacturing customers and freight moving toward the U.S.–Mexico border. The San Antonio–Laredo lane is especially relevant to drivers handling sealed import and export containers, although individual loads depend on terminal releases, customer requirements and equipment availability. Schertz and New Braunfels provide additional destinations along the I-35 corridor, while Seguin is accessible through I-10 for selected industrial and distribution moves. Rail congestion, chassis availability, gate cutoffs and customer receiving hours can influence the number of turns completed in a shift. Demand also varies with import cycles and seasonal inventory replenishment. Drivers considering intermodal work in this market should prioritize transparent accessorial pay, realistic route planning and reliable dispatch support over mileage claims that do not account for terminal waiting.
Apply for the San Antonio CDL-A Intermodal Position
Review the requirements and submit your application for regional container work with daily home time on most local assignments.