🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Charlotte, NC
- Route type: Port drayage / Regional container shuttle
- Freight: Import containers, chassis moves, rail ramp transfers
- Schedule: Morning dispatch waves with afternoon port/rail turn cycles, steady container flow tied to Savannah & Charleston ports
📋 Job Description
- Move import containers from rail ramps and inland port connectors into Charlotte-area distribution hubs without delays in dock scheduling windows
- Coordinate fast chassis swaps and drop-and-hook container turns under tight port release timing
- Navigate high-volume freight corridors connecting Southeast port systems with Charlotte warehouses and retail DCs
- Maintain compliance with port entry procedures including TWIC-based access where required
- Handle live dispatch updates as container availability shifts throughout the day
- Support rapid turnaround cycles that keep import freight flowing into I-77 and I-85 distribution belts
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
1+ year CDL-A preferred, container or port experience a strong advantage
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record, no major violations
Physical
Chassis inspections, container checks, securement verification
Endorsements
TWIC preferred (port access), no HazMat required
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Freightliner Cascadia (2022–2025 models in mixed rotation, some showing normal fleet wear)
- Kenworth T680 units assigned for regional container shuttles, occasionally rotated between terminals
- Volvo VNL tractors used during peak port import surges and backup dispatch cycles
🏠 Home Time
- Home daily in most dispatch cycles depending on port volume and container release timing
- Occasional every-other-day returns during peak Savannah/Charleston import surges
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Charlotte, NC → Savannah, GA (I-77 → I-26 → I-95 container import flow)
- Charlotte, NC → Charleston, SC (I-77 → I-26 port drayage shuttle corridor)
- Charlotte, NC → Greer Inland Port, SC (I-85 freight consolidation + rail ramp interchange)
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
💰 Bonus Structure
Container drayage runs are volume-driven, so bonuses depend on turnaround speed, port congestion handling, and consistency across shifts.
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need TWIC for this job?
Preferred for port access, especially for Savannah and Charleston-connected container loads, but support is provided during onboarding.
Is this strictly local work?
Most drivers are home daily, but occasional extended cycles happen during high import volume periods.
How many containers per shift?
Typically 6–10 moves depending on port congestion and rail ramp availability.
Is manual unloading required?
No unloading—this is drop-and-hook container and chassis operation only.
What slows down earnings?
Port delays, gate congestion, and chassis availability can affect daily turn cycles.
Is experience required in drayage?
Not strictly, but prior container or intermodal experience helps reduce training time significantly.
💼 Career Opportunities
This CDL-A drayage position in Charlotte is often a gateway into higher-paying container logistics and dedicated freight systems. Drivers who stay consistent on port lanes can transition into dedicated retail distribution routes, rail ramp supervision roles, or even dispatch coordination within intermodal operations. Over time, many experienced drayage drivers move into high-priority export/import lanes tied directly to Savannah and Charleston port networks, where freight timing becomes even more critical. There’s also room to step into trainer positions for new port drivers, especially during seasonal import surges when carriers expand their capacity. As Charlotte continues growing as a Southeast inland logistics hub, opportunities expand into specialized freight handling, chassis management oversight, and priority customer freight lanes serving automotive and retail supply chains.
🔗 CDL-A Port Drayage Driver – Charlotte, NC
Charlotte CDL-A drivers are seeing strong demand as Southeast port traffic from Savannah and Charleston continues feeding inland distribution hubs along I-77 and I-85. This port drayage role focuses on fast container movement, short-haul efficiency, and constant freight turnover between rail ramps and warehouse clusters. With $1,500–$1,950 weekly pay and home daily structure, it fits drivers who prefer predictable cycles but still want high-volume freight action. The job runs tight dispatch windows, especially during import surges when chassis availability and gate congestion can shift schedules quickly. Modern tractors, mixed fleet rotation, and steady container flow keep this lane active year-round.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for CDL-A Port Drayage Driver – Charlotte Import Container Freight Network (Savannah / Charleston Flow) in Charlotte, NC.
