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CDL-A Local Port Drayage Driver Los Angeles CA | $1,950/Wk

Local: Los Angeles, CA • Port Terminal: Los Angeles & Long Beach

Container Drayage Day Cab 3–7 Years

This CDL-A position supports daily container movement between the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, regional distribution yards, rail-connected facilities, and customer warehouses throughout the Inland Empire. Drivers handle import and export containers in a medium-sized regional carrier model with 50–100 power units.

Average Weekly Earnings
$1,820/week
Estimated Annual Gross: $94,640
Sign-On Bonus $1,500
Home Time Home Daily
Driver Type Local Intermodal
Weekly Miles 900–1,300
Freight Type Consumer Goods, Furniture, Electronics

Position Overview

  • Local intermodal port drayage focused on container transportation between marine terminals, chassis pools, rail ramps, and customer warehouses.
  • Supports established regional customers and 3PL operators in the Inland Empire and surrounding logistics markets.
  • Daily workflow includes container pickup, terminal processing, customer delivery, empty return, and chassis coordination.
  • Day cab operation with no overnight trips; drivers return home daily.
  • Work handles import and export containers for retail, manufacturing, industrial supply, and distribution freight.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Typical Weekly Earnings $1,700–$1,950
Estimated Annual Gross $88,400–$101,400
Sign-On Bonus $1,500
Detention Pay $30/hour
Container Move Pay $25/move
Pay Frequency Weekly

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Home Time Home Daily
Operating Corridor Los Angeles & Long Beach Ports
Terminal Location Los Angeles & Long Beach
Weekly Miles 900–1,300
Dispatch Window 5:00–7:00 AM

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Equipment Age 3–7 Years
Tractor Makes Freightliner Cascadia Day Cab, International LT Day Cab
Transmission Type 10-speed automatic
In-Cab Amenities Samsara, Omnitracs, Geotab ELD
Tractor Assignment Assigned based on terminal location and maintenance schedule

Real Routes

  • Los Angeles, CA – Ontario, CA (I-710, I-10)
  • Long Beach, CA – Fontana, CA (I-710, CA-60, I-10)
  • Los Angeles, CA – Carson, CA – Rialto, CA (I-110, I-710, CA-91, I-15)

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Health Coverage Medical, Dental & Vision
Retirement Plan 401(k)
Paid Time Off Paid Orientation
Life Insurance Life Insurance
Rider Pet Policy Rider Policy

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid CDL Class A license
  • 12 months CDL-A experience preferred
  • Acceptable driving record
  • Acceptable DOT physical
  • Clearinghouse verification
  • Ability to operate chassis and container equipment
  • Port or drayage experience preferred

Operational Delays

  • Terminal congestion at marine terminals
  • Appointment window restrictions
  • Chassis availability issues
  • Customer receiving schedule changes
  • Gate congestion at ports
  • Traffic delays on I-710, I-405, I-110 and Inland Empire corridors

Fast-Track Hiring Process

1
Application Review
Recruiting team reviews CDL information, driving history, and employment background.
2
Recruiter Phone Screening
Discussion of previous CDL experience, port or local freight background, and schedule expectations.
3
Safety and Compliance Review
MVR review, employment verification, DOT Clearinghouse query, and background checks.
4
Final Approval and First Dispatch
After onboarding requirements, driver receives equipment assignment based on availability and terminal needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does the pay structure work for port drayage? ▼
Pay combines base hourly, overtime, container move pay of $25 per completed move, and detention at $30 per hour after 90 minutes. The structure accounts for delays at terminals, chassis pools, and customer sites outside the driver’s control.
Q: What types of containers will I move? ▼
Drivers operate 20-foot and 40-foot containers on tandem axle chassis. The focus is on safe transport of loaded and empty containers without unloading freight.
Q: Do I need to be TWIC certified? ▼
TWIC card is preferred but not required at the application stage. Drivers entering restricted port areas will need it depending on terminal access requirements.
Q: Will I return home every night? ▼
Yes. This is a local operation with daytime dispatch windows, Monday through Friday plus occasional Saturdays, and drivers return to the assigned terminal or approved parking location after each day’s assignments.
Q: What equipment will I use? ▼
Day cab tractors such as Freightliner Cascadia 2020–2024 and International LT 2020–2023 with 10-speed automatic transmission, tandem axle, air ride suspension, and ELD systems including Samsara, Omnitracs, or Geotab.
Q: What happens if I have a mechanical issue? ▼
Roadside assistance is coordinated through operations. The company handles scheduled shop inspections and regional repair vendors; drivers report issues early to minimize downtime.
Q: How quickly can I start working? ▼
Most qualified applicants receive recruiter contact within one business day. The full process typically takes 3–7 business days including verification and onboarding.

CDL Job Market

The Los Angeles metro area supports one of the strongest CDL-A markets in California, with consistent demand for local and regional drivers due to ongoing container freight from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Industrial and warehouse sectors in the Inland Empire and surrounding logistics corridors drive the need for drayage and local transport specialists. Southern California’s logistics hubs provide diverse opportunities in company-driver and dedicated roles, supported by major distribution centers and rail connections. Immigration-related regulatory changes may affect the local workforce, but overall job growth continues amid strong import volumes and ongoing infrastructure projects.

Location & Freight Market

Southern California’s Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach form the largest container port complex in North America, processing over 2.3 million TEUs monthly with strong import growth from retail, manufacturing, and industrial sectors. These ports serve as the primary gateway for consumer goods, furniture, electronics, machinery parts, and building materials into distribution networks across the Inland Empire and surrounding markets. The region’s dense freeway system, including I-710, I-10, and CA-91 corridors, connects marine terminals directly to major warehouse clusters in Carson, Compton, Fontana, Ontario, and beyond, creating constant demand for local container transport. A mix of manufacturing, retail distribution, and third-party logistics providers sustains steady freight flow year-round, with seasonal surges during peak retail periods. Industrial real estate in the Inland Empire now exceeds 1 billion square feet, supporting jobs and logistics operations that rely on efficient port-to-inland movement.

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