🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Denver, CO
- Route type: Local Intermodal Drayage
- Freight: Intermodal Containers
- Schedule: Monday–Friday, home most nights
📋 Job Description
- Perform drayage moves of loaded and empty containers between Denver-area rail terminals, container yards, distribution centers, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities.
- Handle live loading, grounded container pickups, chassis exchanges, and terminal appointments along the Front Range freight corridor.
- Coordinate with rail operations, customer appointment windows, and dispatch for efficient container moves and chassis flips.
- Complete pre-trip inspections, chassis inspections, and securement verification for intermodal containers.
- Manage occasional regional repositioning into northern Colorado, southern Wyoming, and western Nebraska based on freight demand.
- Maintain electronic logging compliance while navigating I-25, I-70, E-470, and I-76 corridors.
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
Minimum 12 months of recent tractor-trailer experience. Previous intermodal or container experience preferred.
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Acceptable motor vehicle record
Physical
Ability to safely secure containers and perform chassis inspections
Endorsements
TWIC card preferred or willingness to obtain
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: Owner Operator provides compliant tractor
- Features: Day cab tractors paired with 20', 40', 45', and 53' container chassis
- Transmission type: Mix of automatic and manual available in carrier fleet
- Maintenance program: Coordinated through regional maintenance vendors and company-approved repair facilities
🏠 Home Time
- Home most nights with local intermodal operations centered in the Denver metropolitan area.
- Monday through Friday workweek is typical with early morning terminal appointments common.
- Weekend work available depending on rail volume and freight demand.
- Daily start times vary according to train arrivals and customer appointments.
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Denver Rail Terminal to Aurora distribution centers via I-70 and E-470 handling loaded import containers.
- Denver to Commerce City and Henderson industrial warehouses for chassis exchanges and grounded container deliveries.
- Denver to Fort Collins and Greeley manufacturing corridor with occasional repositioning to Cheyenne, WY.
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
🏢 About the Company
The carrier is a regional transportation company specializing in intermodal container transportation throughout Colorado and neighboring states. Its primary business supports import, export, and domestic container freight moving between rail terminals, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and regional distribution centers. The operation has grown steadily by focusing on dependable service, practical dispatch planning, and maintaining long-term relationships with logistics providers.
Founded
2014
Fleet Size
Approximately 95 power units
Primary Freight
Intermodal Containers
Operating Area
Colorado Front Range, Southern Wyoming, Western Nebraska
Equipment
Mixed fleet of Freightliner Cascadia day cabs, Peterbilt 579 tractors, and Kenworth T680 units paired with commercial container chassis
Driver Support
24/7 dispatch & roadside assistance
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does a typical day look like for an Intermodal Owner Operator in Denver?
Most days involve multiple drayage moves between rail terminals and local warehouses or distribution centers. Expect chassis exchanges, appointment coordination, and navigation of Front Range traffic and rail schedules.
Is previous intermodal experience required?
Previous intermodal or container experience is preferred but not mandatory. Minimum 12 months recent tractor-trailer experience is required.
How does the percentage pay model work for owner operators?
Owner operators receive 72%–75% of gross linehaul revenue plus separate fuel surcharge where applicable. Weekly settlements with full electronic documentation.
What home time can I expect?
This is a local operation with home time most nights. Typical Monday–Friday schedule with occasional weekend work based on rail volume.
Do I need a TWIC card for this position?
TWIC card is preferred or willingness to obtain if required for certain terminal access.
What equipment will I use?
Owner operators use their own DOT-compliant tractor. The operation works with 20', 40', 45', and 53' container chassis at Denver rail facilities.
💼 Career Opportunities
Intermodal container driving in the Denver market offers stable year-round freight supported by consistent rail volumes. Owner operators who master chassis management, terminal coordination, and appointment-based drayage typically see reliable weekly revenue. This experience builds valuable skills in rail operations, container securement, and Front Range logistics that transfer well across regional intermodal networks. With strong demand for experienced container drivers along the I-25 corridor, qualified professionals can maintain consistent earnings while enjoying home time most nights. The role rewards drivers who communicate effectively with dispatch and adapt to changing rail schedules and customer needs.
🔗 CDL-A Intermodal Owner Operator – Denver, CO
Denver CDL-A owner operators can secure strong earnings in the intermodal sector with this drayage opportunity. Running primarily between Denver rail terminals and Front Range warehouses, drivers complete multiple container moves daily while maintaining home time most nights. The percentage pay model rewards productive turns with estimated weekly gross revenue of $4,800–$6,400. This position is ideal for experienced drivers comfortable with chassis exchanges, terminal appointments, and coordination around rail availability. Colorado’s growing logistics network provides steady freight in consumer goods, retail distribution, and manufacturing components. Drivers who efficiently manage appointment windows and weather challenges along I-25 and I-70 typically achieve the highest weekly productivity.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for CDL-A Intermodal Owner Operator in Denver, CO.