Local CDL-A Position Intermodal Container

CDL-A Intermodal Driver – Home Daily

San Bernardino, CA • Inland Empire • $1,450–$1,800/week

Local Intermodal 2–5 Year Fleet Home Daily

Local intermodal container work out of San Bernardino. Move freight between rail ramps and Inland Empire warehouses, then go home every day. Typical weekly gross $1,450–$1,800.

Weekly Gross
$1,450–$1,800
Typical week: ~$1,550
Estimated Annual $75,400–$93,600
Sign-On $1,500
Home Time Daily
Pay Type Hourly + activity
Weekly Miles 1,100–1,500
Experience 6 months preferred

What the Job Involves

Drivers pick up and deliver intermodal containers between San Bernardino rail facilities and local warehouses. No overnight trips. Work is operational and requires attention to equipment and paperwork.

  • Clear rail gates and confirm container and chassis numbers before leaving.
  • Record seals, BOLs, PODs and electronic delivery confirmations.
  • Report any defects on tractor or chassis through the ELD system.
  • Stay in contact with dispatch on appointment changes or delays.
  • Complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections every shift.
  • Check twist-locks and air/brake connections before moving equipment.

Pay & Compensation

Pay combines an hourly rate with activity pay for each completed container move. This structure fits local intermodal work better than pure mileage.

Base Rate $25.50 per hour
Overtime $38.25 per hour after applicable threshold
Container Activity $30 per completed move
Detention $15 per hour when qualifying
Weekly Gross Range $1,450–$1,800
Typical Week Around $1,550
Estimated Annual Gross $75,400–$93,600
Typical Annualized Approximately $80,600
Sign-On Bonus $1,500 paid in installments after orientation and employment milestones
Pay Frequency Weekly direct deposit

Schedule & Home Time

Home Time Home daily after each shift
Operating Area Inland Empire and greater Southern California
Typical Runs 50–200 miles one way
Terminal San Bernardino-area yard
Weekly Miles 1,100–1,500
Shift Length Usually 9–11 hours
Work Week Primarily 5-day schedules
Dispatch Day or evening rotations based on rail and customer needs

Equipment

Tractors Freightliner Cascadia and Kenworth T680 day cabs
Fleet Age Mostly 2–5 years, some older maintained units
Transmission Automatic
In-Cab ELD/HOS, GPS, forward dash camera, collision mitigation, lane-departure warning where equipped
Assignment Assigned or slip-seat depending on schedule
Containers 20'/40' ISO and 53' domestic containers depending on account
Chassis Standard and sliding chassis with twist-locks

Primarily dry intermodal containers. Refrigerated equipment may appear on selected accounts. Local maintenance and roadside support handle repairs. Drivers report defects through the ELD before the next move.

Freight & Routes

Intermodal container freight includes palletized consumer goods, retail replenishment, imported merchandise, e-commerce loads, packaging materials and automotive components. Most loads are no-touch.

  • San Bernardino to Fontana warehouse districts via I-10 and I-210
  • San Bernardino to Ontario industrial and airport area on I-10
  • Short runs into Bloomington and Rialto distribution centers
  • Urban moves toward Commerce and City of Industry on I-10/SR-60
  • Occasional longer assignments to Long Beach or Los Angeles via I-710
  • Occasional northbound runs toward Shafter via the I-5 corridor
  • Days often mix loaded deliveries with empty or chassis repositioning before return to yard

Typical Day & Workflow

  • Start at the San Bernardino yard, complete pre-trip and receive first assignment.
  • Drive to the rail facility, clear the gate and pick up the assigned container or chassis.
  • Deliver to the customer, complete paperwork, then get the next move from dispatch.
  • Most activity is drop-and-hook; live customer work and empty repositioning occur as needed.
  • Typical shift includes several container-related moves depending on distance and wait times.
  • Return equipment to the yard or approved parking at the end of the shift.

About This Local Operation

This San Bernardino-area operation focuses on local intermodal transportation between Southern California rail ramps, Inland Empire distribution centers and nearby industrial customers. Drivers work primarily within the Inland Empire and greater Los Angeles freight corridor and return to the yard after each scheduled shift. Dispatch, maintenance and equipment support are handled locally rather than through a distant national desk.

Benefits

Health Medical, dental and vision options for eligible full-time drivers
Retirement 401(k) with company match
Time Off Accrued PTO and six paid holidays
Training Paid orientation, rail-yard procedures and chassis inspection training
Other Safety recognition program, referral bonus, high-visibility apparel, DOT physical reimbursement support

Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL
  • 6 months of recent tractor-trailer experience preferred; other relevant Class A experience may be considered
  • Acceptable MVR under company insurance standards
  • Pass DOT physical, drug/alcohol screen and Clearinghouse query
  • Able to operate automatic-transmission tractors in dense Southern California traffic
  • Intermodal or rail-yard experience helpful but not required

Common Delays

  • Freeway congestion on I-10, I-15 and I-215 during peak hours
  • Rail gate queues and container release timing
  • Customer appointment clusters and warehouse bottlenecks
  • Chassis shortages or equipment issues at the ramp
  • Construction or incidents that force alternate routes
  • Seasonal volume changes that affect daily move counts

Hiring Process

1
Initial Screen
Recruiter call within one business day
2
Record Check
CDL, MVR and employment history review
3
DOT Steps
Drug screen, Clearinghouse and background
4
Orientation
Paid local training then first available dispatch

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many moves can I expect in a normal shift? ▼
Several container-related moves are typical. Exact number depends on distance, rail timing and customer wait times.
Q: Is most of the work drop-and-hook? ▼
Yes. Most moves are drop-and-hook. Live customer activity and empty repositioning happen as the day requires.
Q: What if the chassis has a problem at the rail? ▼
Photograph the issue, report it through the company process and wait for new instructions. Do not swap equipment without documentation.
Q: Will recent CDL graduates be considered? ▼
Six months of recent tractor-trailer experience is preferred because of rail and chassis procedures. Other relevant Class A experience may still be reviewed.
Q: Can I take the tractor home at night? ▼
Tractors stay at the yard or approved parking unless specifically authorized for a given assignment.
Q: How is detention handled? ▼
Arrival and departure times are documented through the company system. Qualifying detention is paid when not already covered by another pay code.

CDL Job Market in the Inland Empire

The Inland Empire continues to generate steady demand for CDL-A drivers. Local intermodal, warehouse distribution, port-related drayage and short-haul dedicated routes make up the majority of openings. Retail and e-commerce distribution centers, along with rail terminals, keep hiring active year-round for drivers who want to stay home daily. Regional positions serving the wider Southern California area also appear regularly. Specialized roles such as reefer, flatbed or tanker exist but are less common than dry-van and container work. The density of logistics facilities means experienced drivers usually have multiple local options without needing long-haul assignments.

Location & Freight Market

San Bernardino sits in the middle of one of the largest warehouse and distribution clusters in the country. Rail yards receive containers that then move by truck to nearby distribution centers serving retail, e-commerce and manufacturing customers. I-10, I-15, I-215 and SR-60 carry most of this short-haul freight. The region functions as a redistribution point for consumer products, automotive parts and packaging materials, which keeps local container volume consistent. Retail peaks raise activity; quieter periods shift more work toward equipment repositioning. The combination of rail access, industrial real estate and major freeways supports ongoing demand for local intermodal drivers.

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