Regional Intermodal Position Home Daily

CDL-A Regional Intermodal Drayage Driver — Nashville, TN

Home Daily • Nashville Intermodal • Middle TN + KY/AL

Nashville, TN Intermodal Drayage 2021–2025 Day Cabs

Home-daily container moves between Nashville-area rail facilities and Middle Tennessee customers, with occasional runs into Kentucky and Alabama. Typical weekly gross $1,350–$1,550; estimated annual around $78,000.

Typical Weekly Gross
$1,350–$1,550
Estimated Annual: $78,000
Sign-On Bonus $1,500
Home Time Home Daily
Driver Type Company Driver
Weekly Miles 1,100–1,500
Freight Type Containerized Dry

Position Overview

Drivers handle loaded and empty container turns between rail ramps, distribution centers and manufacturing customers across the Nashville intermodal network.

  • Pick up loaded containers and chassis from Nashville-area rail facilities.
  • Complete rail ingate/outgate procedures and equipment inspections.
  • Verify container numbers, seals, chassis condition and locking pins.
  • Deliver containers to distribution centers, manufacturers and other customers.
  • Handle drop-and-hook and occasional live-load/live-unload appointments.
  • Update dispatch on delays, equipment issues and available hours.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Typical weekly earnings assume a normal 47–51 hour workweek, with overtime after 40 hours.

Base Rate $27.00 / hour
Overtime $40.50 / hour after 40 hours
Typical Weekly Gross $1,350–$1,550
Typical Annual Earnings About $78,000
Detention $27 / hour after 2 hours
Sign-On Bonus $1,500 paid $500 at 30 / 90 / 180 days
Pay Frequency Weekly direct deposit

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Home Time Home Daily
Operating Area Middle Tennessee + nearby Kentucky / Alabama
Home Terminal Nashville / Goodlettsville area
Typical Weekly Hours 47–52
Weekly Miles 1,100–1,500
Start Window Approx. 4:00–8:00 AM; some afternoon starts

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Tractors Freightliner Cascadia & Kenworth T680 day cabs
Model Years Primarily 2021–2025
Transmission Automatic
Safety Systems Collision mitigation, adaptive cruise, lane-departure warning
Chassis 20' / 40' intermodal chassis; adjustable / sliding units
Assignment Assigned when available; occasional slip-seating

Drivers inspect tires, brakes, lights, air lines, locking pins, twist locks and landing gear before leaving the ramp. Maintenance coordinated through Nashville-area partners.

Real Routes

No-touch containerized dry freight—packaged consumer goods, retail merchandise, automotive components and industrial products—moves between rail release and final delivery.

  • Nashville → Lebanon / Mount Juliet / Murfreesboro distribution facilities
  • Nashville → Memphis intermodal connections via I-40
  • Nashville → Louisville and Bowling Green via I-65
  • Nashville → Chattanooga and North Alabama via I-24
  • Clarksville and other Middle Tennessee customer yards
  • Primary corridors: I-24, I-40, I-65 and I-840

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • Initial assignment available the evening before or at shift start.
  • Pre-trip tractor, then proceed to rail facility for container release.
  • Inspect chassis and secure container before departing the ramp.
  • Deliver to customer; complete drop-and-hook or live appointment.
  • Return empty or take reload; receive next move while still on the road.
  • Most days finish with two or more container turns and return to terminal.

About the Carrier

This Nashville-based operation handles container moves between area rail facilities, distribution centers and manufacturing customers across Middle Tennessee and nearby Kentucky and Alabama markets. Drivers primarily handle loaded and empty container turns, chassis inspections, rail-gate procedures and customer deliveries. Freight is generally no-touch, with dispatch coordinating rail releases, appointments and return moves throughout the day.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Health Coverage Medical, dental and vision with employee contribution options
Retirement 401(k) with company match
Paid Time Off Paid holidays and vacation based on tenure
Safety Incentive Available for qualifying drivers
Additional Paid orientation, terminal parking, rail-ramp and chassis training, company ELD, EZPass where required, referral program

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL
  • At least 6 months recent tractor-trailer experience preferred
  • Container, chassis or rail-yard experience preferred (flexible for strong safety records)
  • Safe driving history and acceptable MVR
  • Current DOT medical card
  • Pass drug screen and Clearinghouse query
  • Ability to use ELD and mobile dispatch technology

Operational Delays

  • Rail-gate congestion around train schedules and cutoffs
  • Chassis shortages or mismatched chassis configurations
  • Container not yet released by the rail operation
  • Customer appointment delays or live-unload waits
  • Traffic on I-24, I-40, I-65 and Briley Parkway
  • Weather impacts on highways or rail schedules

Hiring Process

1
Application Review
Recruiter call within one business day
2
Verification
MVR, employment history, background
3
Compliance
Drug screen and Clearinghouse query
4
Orientation
Paid Nashville terminal training (5–10 business days total)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is previous intermodal or chassis experience required? ▼
Preferred but not mandatory. Drivers with solid tractor-trailer safety records and roughly six months experience can be trained on rail-ramp and chassis procedures.
Q: Are HazMat or Tanker endorsements needed? ▼
No. A TWIC card is not listed as a standard requirement for this position; access requirements may vary by facility.
Q: How many container moves occur in a typical day? ▼
Most days include multiple turns rather than one long trip. Exact number depends on container availability, appointments and remaining hours.
Q: What happens if the expected container is not released? ▼
Dispatch redirects to another available move or adjusts the sequence so the driver is not left without work.
Q: Can loaded containers be taken home overnight? ▼
Only when specifically authorized by dispatch and customer requirements. Drivers normally return the tractor after the final assignment.
Q: Is the freight touch or no-touch? ▼
No-touch from the driver’s perspective. Responsibility covers container and chassis movement, not unloading pallets.

CDL Job Market

Nashville has a broad CDL-A market built around distribution, automotive manufacturing, retail freight and intermodal operations. For drivers seeking daily home time, the market includes local delivery, dedicated, shuttle and intermodal work, while regional carriers connect Middle Tennessee with Kentucky, Alabama and the wider Southeast. Intermodal and drayage openings form a narrower segment that rewards drivers comfortable with rail ramps, chassis and changing container availability. Demand stays steady through the year and rises during retail peak shipping periods. Both national intermodal operators and smaller regional carriers actively recruit experienced company drivers for these roles.

Location & Freight Market

Nashville sits at the junction of I-24, I-40 and I-65, giving it strong access to both Southeast and Midwest freight lanes. The city’s rail network and surrounding Middle Tennessee distribution clusters in Lebanon, Mount Juliet, Smyrna and Murfreesboro generate steady container and warehouse traffic. Retail and consumer goods move along the main interstate corridors, while automotive production adds component and related freight. The same network links Nashville with Memphis, Louisville, Chattanooga, Birmingham and Atlanta, allowing containers that arrive by rail to finish their trip by truck. Seasonal retail peaks and manufacturing schedules affect daily volume, yet the combination of intermodal, distribution and industrial freight keeps truck movements active year-round.

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