CDL-A Container Drayage Driver – Daily Port Freight Runs
Hiring Radius: Savannah Terminal Area
📍 Savannah, GA 🚚 Local Intermodal ⚙️ Day Cab
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Terminal Location:
Garden City Terminal
Average Weekly Pay
$1,510–$2,010
Estimated Annual:
Approx. $91,000
Sign-on Bonus: $2,000
Home Time: Home Daily
Driver Type: Local Intermodal Container Drayage
Weekly Miles: 950–1,250
Freight: Import/Export Containers
Equipment: Day Cab Tractors
Experience: 6 months preferred
Position Overview
A Confidential Transportation Carrier is hiring an experienced CDL-A Container Drayage Driver based in Savannah, GA. This position supports import and export container freight moving through the Port of Savannah.
- Perform container pickups and deliveries between Garden City Terminal, distribution centers, warehouses, rail facilities, and customer yards.
- Complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections of tractors, chassis, and containers.
- Verify container numbers, seal numbers, chassis condition, and documentation at terminals.
- Coordinate with dispatch on appointment changes, delays, and equipment availability.
- Handle chassis inspections and exchanges before dispatch.
- Complete electronic logs, interchange reports, and customer paperwork.
This is a local home daily position requiring TWIC eligibility, safe equipment handling, and compliance with terminal safety procedures and DOT regulations. Drivers operate from the Savannah terminal with daily returns.
Pay Breakdown & Earnings Structure
Compensation follows a hybrid activity-based model for port drayage operations with customer interaction, gate processing, chassis inspections, and variable delays.
Weekly Earnings Range $1,510–$2,010 per week
Base Activity Pay Approximately $1,380 typical week
Container Movement Pay +$220 typical week
Port Detention Pay $35/hour after 2 hours at qualifying locations (approx. +$90/week)
Container Reposition Premium $18 per approved empty reposition (approx. $35–70/week)
Sign-On Bonus $2,000 paid as $500 after 30 days, $500 after 90 days, $1,000 after 180 days
Why Drivers Choose This Account
- Home daily schedule with most drivers returning to the Savannah terminal the same day
- Consistent container freight generated by Port of Savannah operations
- Day cab tractors with collision mitigation, adaptive cruise, lane departure warning, and Samsara ELD
- Hybrid compensation reflecting actual port drayage activity including detention and reposition pay
- Assigned tractor when operationally possible with scheduled preventive maintenance
Driver Benefits & Company Advantages
Professional CDL-A drivers receive support programs including medical, dental, vision coverage, retirement options, and port-specific assistance.
Health Insurance
Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
Retirement Plan
401(k) plan with company matching contributions after eligibility.
Paid Orientation
Paid one-day orientation including safety policies, ELD training, port procedures, and chassis inspection.
Weekly Pay & Direct Deposit
Weekly direct deposit every Friday.
Paid Time Off
Paid vacation based on years of service and paid company holidays.
Driver Support
Dedicated local dispatch familiar with Savannah port operations, maintenance hotline, and 24-hour roadside assistance.
TWIC Reimbursement
TWIC application reimbursement after successful completion of probationary period.
Additional Programs
Quarterly safety incentive, referral bonus program, DOT physical renewal reimbursement.
Equipment & Fleet Specifications
Primary Tractor Brands Freightliner, International, Kenworth
Common Tractor Models Freightliner Cascadia Day Cabs (2021–2024), International LT Day Cabs (2020–2023), Kenworth T680 Day Cabs
Transmission Automated manual transmissions
Engine Detroit DD13/DD15, Cummins X15, PACCAR MX-13
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Samsara Fleet Management with integrated messaging and HOS compliance
Safety Systems Collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, electronic stability control, forward-facing dash cameras, tire pressure monitoring
Truck Assignment Assigned tractor whenever operationally possible, occasional slip seating during vacation coverage or maintenance
Trailer Configuration 20-foot, 40-foot, 40HC, and limited 45-foot ISO containers on chassis (20', 40', adjustable slider, extendable, radial tire)
Operational Delays & Expectations
Detention Policy Port detention pay $35/hour after 2 hours at qualifying customer locations. Typical wait times 30–75 minutes.
Breakdown Support Handled jointly by dispatch, maintenance, and approved roadside vendors. Drivers document issues and exchange defective chassis.
Gate & Terminal Delays Gate processing speed varies with vessel discharge activity and terminal volume. Chassis shortages and grounding delays occur during heavy import periods.
Appointment & Customer Delays Customer facilities vary; some unload immediately while others require wait for dock assignment. Dispatch adjusts schedules for delays.
Home Time & Schedule
Home Time Home Daily. Drivers generally return to the Savannah terminal the same day.
Operating Schedule Shifts begin between 4:30 AM and 7:00 AM depending on terminal appointments and vessel schedules.
Weekend Work Rotates according to customer freight demand. Saturday common during high import seasons.
Truck Parking Company tractors parked at Savannah terminal after each shift. Secured fenced parking available.
Real Routes Our Drivers Take
To give you a clear expectation of your weekly dispatch, below are examples of freight lanes, operating areas, and transportation corridors regularly serviced by drivers on this account.
Primary Operating Area: Coastal Georgia and surrounding markets
States Covered: Georgia, Florida (selected runs)
Major Cities / Markets: Savannah, Pooler, Rincon, Statesboro, Dublin, Macon, Jacksonville
Freight Corridors: I-95, I-16, GA-307, GA-21
Typical Route Distance: Varies by container moves (short local and selected regional)
Average Weekly Miles: 950–1,250
Common Freight Movement: Import/export containers, empty repositioning, chassis exchanges between port, warehouses, manufacturing plants, and rail facilities
Drivers complete 18–24 container moves per week on average. Lanes include Savannah to Pooler, Rincon, Statesboro, Dublin, Macon, and selected runs to Jacksonville. Dispatch may resequence deliveries based on vessel arrivals and customer demand. Backhauls include empty returns and export reloads.
License & Driver Requirements
Please review our requirements to ensure qualifications before launching your application process.
Verifiable Class-A Experience: Minimum 6 months recent CDL-A tractor-trailer experience preferred
CDL License Class: Active Class A CDL License
Required Endorsements: TWIC Card strongly preferred (eligible to obtain during onboarding)
Hiring Process
Most qualified applicants receive an initial recruiter phone call within one business day after submitting an application.
Application Review Application submitted and reviewed
Recruiter Contact Recruiter phone call to review driving history, experience, availability, and TWIC status
Driver Qualification Employment verification, MVR review, FMCSA Clearinghouse query
Background & Compliance DOT drug screening and background screening
Orientation Paid one-day orientation at Savannah terminal covering safety, ELD, port procedures, chassis inspection, and road evaluation if required
First Dispatch Truck assignment and first dispatch within one to three business days after orientation
Applicants should bring valid CDL, medical certificate, Social Security documentation, TWIC (if available), and endorsements to orientation.
A Typical Day on This Account
Every shift varies based on vessel arrivals, customer appointments, gate congestion, and dispatch priorities. Below is a typical workday for drivers assigned to this local intermodal container drayage position.
Shift Start
Begin between 4:30 AM and 7:00 AM. Review dispatch messages, perform pre-trip inspection, verify chassis and container documentation at Garden City Terminal.
During the Day
Complete 3–5 container moves involving import pickups, deliveries to warehouses or manufacturing plants, empty returns, export loads, and chassis exchanges. Verify seals, complete paperwork, and communicate with dispatch via Samsara.
Typical Challenges
Gate queues, chassis availability, grounding delays at terminal, customer dock wait times, and weather or vessel schedule impacts.
End of Shift
Return to Savannah terminal, complete post-trip inspection, submit documentation, and park equipment.
Actual schedules vary based on vessel arrivals, customer appointments, terminal conditions, and operational requirements.
Freight Specifications
Primary Commodities: Import and export containers including retail, consumer products, industrial manufacturing, building materials, paper products, automotive, furniture, electronics, food ingredients, agricultural commodities
Load Profile: 20', 40', 40HC, limited 45' ISO containers. Mix of loaded imports, exports, empties, and repositioning.
Operational Mix: Approximately 45% import deliveries, 30% export, 25% empty returns
Delivery & Unloading Process
Terminal gate check-in verifies appointment information, container number, chassis number, and credentials. Drivers verify container and seal numbers, chassis condition, and interchange documentation.
At customer facilities, live unload or live load is common. Drivers document arrival, dock-in, dock-out times for detention. Dispatch coordinates appointment changes and revised schedules when delays occur.
Challenges of the Job
Every CDL-A driving position comes with responsibilities beyond simply operating a commercial vehicle. Freight schedules, customer requirements, weather, traffic conditions, and federal regulations all influence the daily workflow. While dispatch works to maximize efficiency, professional drivers should expect occasional operational challenges that are common throughout the trucking industry.
Traffic & Congestion
Heavy traffic around metropolitan areas, distribution centers, ports, rail terminals, and major interstate corridors may increase travel time. Construction projects and accidents can occasionally require route adjustments.
Loading & Unloading Delays
Customer facilities sometimes experience dock congestion or appointment backlogs. Live loading and unloading may require additional waiting time depending on freight volume and warehouse staffing.
Changing Weather
Rain, snow, ice, high winds, fog, and extreme temperatures can impact driving conditions throughout the year. Safety expectations always take priority over delivery speed.
Flexible Dispatch Times
Start times may vary based on customer appointments, freight availability, seasonal demand, and route planning. Early morning, evening, overnight, weekend, or holiday dispatches may occasionally be required.
Hours of Service Compliance
Drivers are responsible for maintaining accurate electronic logs, performing required inspections, following Hours-of-Service regulations, and complying with all DOT and FMCSA safety requirements.
Physical Job Requirements
Depending on the freight, drivers may secure loads, connect trailers, perform pre-trip inspections, climb in and out of the tractor multiple times, or assist with loading and unloading operations.
Terminal & Gate Variability
Gate processing, chassis availability, and container grounding delays vary with vessel discharge activity at the Port of Savannah.
Customer Expectations
Professional communication, on-time arrivals, accurate paperwork, and safe cargo handling remain essential parts of every delivery. Customer service is an important component of successful CDL-A operations.
Professional Perspective:
These working conditions are typical across the U.S. trucking industry and should not be viewed as disadvantages unique to this position. Experienced CDL-A drivers understand that successful operations depend on flexibility, safe decision-making, and effective communication with dispatch and customers. Drivers who adapt well to changing road, weather, and freight conditions generally enjoy more consistent schedules, higher productivity, and stronger long-term career opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the home time frequency on this account? A: Home Daily with most drivers returning to the Savannah terminal the same day.
Q: What equipment configurations do drivers run? A: Day cab tractors including Freightliner Cascadia, International LT, and Kenworth T680 models with Samsara ELD.
Q: What medical and wellness benefits are provided? A: Medical, dental, vision coverage and 401(k) with company matching after eligibility.
Q: What is the required Class A road experience? A: Minimum 6 months recent CDL-A tractor-trailer experience preferred.
Q: Is a TWIC card required? A: Strongly preferred. Applicants without may apply if eligible to obtain during onboarding.
Q: What is the weekly pay range? A: $1,510–$2,010 per week depending on container moves, detention, and volume.
Q: How many container moves per week? A: Typically 18–24 container moves per week.
Career Opportunities
This local container drayage position suits experienced CDL-A drivers who prefer daily home time and port operations over long-haul runs. Drivers comfortable with terminal gate procedures, chassis inspections, variable daily container moves, and coordination with dispatch and customers will find the workflow familiar. The role involves a mix of short local turns around Savannah and selected regional container deliveries along major Georgia corridors. Those with prior intermodal, port, or local delivery background can leverage their experience immediately while new-to-port drivers receive targeted orientation. The operation provides steady freight from one of the East Coast's busiest ports with realistic expectations around vessel schedules, appointment windows, and terminal variability.
CDL-A Container Drayage Driver Jobs in Savannah, GA
Professional CDL-A container drayage driver jobs in Savannah, Georgia attract experienced drivers due to steady import and export volumes through the Port of Savannah. This local intermodal operation moves containers between Garden City Terminal, regional distribution centers, manufacturing plants, and inland facilities. Freight demand remains relatively stable year-round with fluctuations tied to vessel arrivals and retail/import seasons.
Operations center on I-95, I-16, and connecting state routes such as GA-307 and GA-21. Drivers handle 20', 40', and 40HC containers on chassis between marine terminals, warehouses, and customer yards. Daily workflow includes gate check-ins, seal verification, chassis inspections, live loads/unloads, and documentation through Samsara systems.
Drivers typically complete 950–1,250 paid miles and 18–24 container moves weekly in day cab tractors equipped with automated transmissions, safety technologies, and Samsara ELD. The home daily schedule supports consistent routines with shifts starting early to align with terminal activity.
The Savannah area supports ongoing container freight activity from retail, manufacturing, automotive, agricultural exports, and consumer goods sectors. Seasonal peaks in imports and agricultural exports create additional opportunities while maintaining core local drayage volume.
CDL-A drivers searching for local port work, intermodal container positions, or daily home time opportunities in coastal Georgia will find this role matches backgrounds in local delivery, dry van, or prior drayage experience. The position emphasizes operational discipline around terminal procedures, customer appointments, and flexible dispatch adjustments.
