🗺 Location & Operations Context
- Base city: Nashville, TN
- Freight role: Intermodal drayage between rail yards and inland distribution hubs
- Supply chain environment: Mixed industrial + retail warehouse corridors
- Terminal flow: High container turnover with scheduled rail appointment windows
- Peak cycles: Early morning inbound rail releases and afternoon outbound staging waves
- Corridor relevance: I-40, I-24, I-65 regional freight spine
📋 Job Description
- Move intermodal containers between rail terminals and regional distribution yards
- Execute consistent drop-and-hook chassis operations at rail ramps
- Coordinate dock and yard staging assignments using dispatch and YMS updates
- Perform container seal checks and chassis inspection before departure
- Maintain ELD logs aligned with rail appointment windows
- Back trailers into congested terminal lanes under yard control guidance
- Adjust routing based on rail congestion and container release timing
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
1+ year CDL-A experience preferred (intermodal experience a plus)
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record with no major violations or recent suspensions
Physical
Coupling/uncoupling chassis, trailer backing, yard maneuvering in tight lanes
Endorsements
None required
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: Day cab Freightliner / Volvo intermodal units
- Fleet average age: 3–6 years
- Trailer type: Container chassis (20ft / 40ft)
- Transmission type: Automatic
- Technology: GPS dispatch, ELD compliance, YMS terminal tracking
- Maintenance: Preventive inspection cycles with rapid yard-side repair response
🏠 Home Time
- Weekly regional dispatch cycles (4–6 days on average)
- Home reset after completion of rail and yard delivery rotations
- Predictable scheduling tied to rail appointment windows
- Occasional extended runs during port or rail congestion surges
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Nashville → Memphis rail intermodal terminals (I-40 corridor)
- Nashville → Atlanta inland port yards (I-24 / I-75 connection)
- Nashville → Louisville freight hubs (I-65 northbound corridor)
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is CDL-A required?
Yes, a valid CDL-A license is mandatory for all intermodal drayage operations.
Do I need intermodal experience?
No, but prior port, rail, or container experience is preferred.
What is the workload like?
Work is structured around rail schedules with multiple daily terminal moves and yard transfers.
How predictable is the schedule?
Schedules are tied to rail appointment windows, creating structured but variable daily flow.
Is overtime available?
Yes, during rail congestion periods and high container volume cycles.
What equipment is used?
Day cab tractors with intermodal chassis trailers and yard coordination systems.
💼 Career Opportunities
This intermodal drayage role in Nashville connects drivers directly into the regional rail logistics network serving Memphis, Atlanta, and Louisville corridors. The position operates within structured terminal cycles where container movement is coordinated through rail appointment systems and inland distribution staging yards. Drivers gain exposure to high-frequency container transfers, chassis management, and coordinated yard operations across multiple freight nodes. Career progression typically moves from yard-based drayage operations into dedicated regional routes and then into higher-volume intermodal assignments. Drivers may transition into trainer roles, dispatch coordination, or terminal supervision as operational experience increases. The intermodal sector remains stable due to consistent rail container demand and expanding warehouse development near inland ports, supporting long-term employment continuity.
🔗 CDL-A Regional Intermodal Drayage Driver – Nashville, TN
Nashville serves as a key inland logistics hub connecting southeastern rail intermodal terminals with regional warehouse and distribution centers. CDL-A drivers in this segment manage containerized freight moving between Memphis rail ramps, Atlanta inland ports, and Louisville freight corridors. The role supports continuous freight flow through structured appointment-based scheduling, requiring coordination between rail releases, yard staging lanes, and final-mile warehouse transfers. Pay ranges reflect regional demand for consistent drayage capacity, with weekly earnings between $1,550 and $2,000 depending on container volume and dispatch cycles. This operational environment emphasizes predictable routing, high-frequency terminal movement, and standardized chassis handling procedures. The regional freight ecosystem remains supported by interstate infrastructure including I-40, I-24, and I-65, which form the backbone of container movement across Tennessee and neighboring states. Demand for CDL-A intermodal drivers remains steady due to ongoing warehouse expansion and rail freight utilization across inland distribution hubs.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Submit your application for CDL-A Regional Intermodal Drayage Driver — Nashville Rail & Inland Freight Corridor Network in Nashville, TN.