🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Joliet, Illinois
- Route type: Local home-daily
- Freight: Intermodal ocean and rail containers
- Schedule: Variable start times tied to rail releases, typically 4-7 AM
📦 Freight Flow Snapshot
- Daily volume: Multiple container moves depending on rail schedule
- Average haul distance: 50–150 miles one way
- Primary freight lanes: BNSF Elwood Yard, UP Joliet Terminal, Chicago-area warehouses
- Load type consistency: Drop-and-hook with frequent empties and repositioning
- Peak dispatch hours: Early morning and late afternoon rail activity windows
📋 Job Description
- Pick up loaded and empty containers at BNSF and Union Pacific rail terminals in the Joliet/Chicago area
- Deliver to regional distribution centers, transload facilities, and nearby warehouses
- Handle chassis positioning and empty container returns as part of daily operations
- Coordinate with dispatch and yard operations on changing container releases and priorities
- Manage variable wait times at rail gates and customer facilities
- Maintain communication throughout the shift for reroutes and new assignments
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
Minimum 12 months CDL driving experience
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record preferred, minor infractions reviewed case-by-case
Physical
Able to handle container securement and yard operations
Endorsements
TWIC card preferred but not required
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: Volvo VNL 760 (2021–2024 models)
- Fleet average age: 3–7 years
- Features: Automatic I-Shift transmission, APU on select units, sleeper cab for yard waits, ELD Omnitracs, integrated rail appointment system
🏠 Home Time
- Return to Joliet terminal at the end of each shift
- Shifts typically run 9–12 hours with occasional extensions due to rail delays
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- BNSF Elwood Yard to Chicago suburban distribution centers
- Union Pacific Joliet Terminal to northern Indiana warehouses
- Local repositioning moves between rail yards and transload facilities
🧭 Route Scenarios (Dispatch Variants)
- Scenario A: Early rail release, multiple short container moves with minimal wait time
- Scenario B: Gate congestion at peak hours requiring extended yard wait
- Scenario C: Late day reroute for priority customer delivery or empty return
- Fallback Load Plan: Chassis repositioning or staged waiting for next rail release
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How is pay calculated for this intermodal position?
Pay is load-based per container move plus detention and chassis utilization. Weekly earnings typically range $1,550–$2,200 depending on volume and rail flow.
What does home daily actually look like?
Drivers return to the Joliet area each evening after completing their assigned moves, though shift length varies with rail schedules.
Is detention time paid?
Yes, detention pay is included in addition to per-move compensation when waiting at rail yards or customer locations.
What experience level is needed?
Minimum 12 months of CDL-A driving experience is required. Intermodal or drayage background is helpful but not mandatory.
What equipment will I be driving?
Volvo VNL 760 tractors with intermodal chassis capable of 40’, 45’, and 53’ containers. Automatic transmission with APU on select trucks.
How predictable are the daily routes?
Routes are dynamic and tied to rail releases. Expect changes during the day and variable wait times at terminals.
⚠️ Operational Risk Layer
- Weather exposure zones: Chicago-area winter weather and summer heat affecting yard operations
- Traffic congestion risk: High around rail terminals during peak gate hours
- Load delay probability: Elevated during peak import seasons and holiday surges
- Equipment sensitivity: Chassis and container condition monitoring required
- Compliance checkpoints: Rail yard security and DOT inspections
🔗 Local Intermodal Container CDL-A Driver – Joliet, Illinois
Drivers in this local intermodal role handle container moves between major rail yards like BNSF Elwood and Union Pacific Joliet Terminal and distribution points across the greater Chicago region. Work revolves around rail schedules, meaning some days bring steady back-to-back moves while others involve longer waits for releases or chassis. Deliveries go primarily to warehouses and cross-dock facilities within a reasonable local radius. Traffic around terminals and during Chicago rush periods is part of the daily reality, along with seasonal spikes during retail import peaks. This position requires flexibility with changing assignments and the ability to work with dispatch on real-time adjustments. Pay comes from per-move compensation supplemented by detention when delays occur at facilities. Home daily means returning to the Joliet area after finishing the day's work, though exact end times fluctuate based on the last drop or reposition. The fleet consists of relatively recent Volvo tractors paired with standard intermodal chassis. This setup suits drivers who prefer staying close to home while working in a busy logistics hub environment with consistent but variable container volume.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for Local Intermodal Container CDL-A Driver in Joliet, Illinois.