🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Wilmington yard, Port of Los Angeles / Long Beach corridor
- Route type: Local Home-Daily Intermodal Drayage
- Freight: Import/export ocean containers (20', 40', occasional 45')
- Schedule: Early AM starts (4-6 AM), typically finish 2-6 PM, occasional Saturday coverage during peaks
📦 Freight Flow Snapshot
- Daily volume: 2–4 container turns depending on terminal dwell and warehouse speed
- Average haul distance: Short dray (typically under 50 miles one-way)
- Primary freight lanes: San Pedro Bay terminals to Rancho Dominguez, Carson, Compton, Ontario, Fontana, and local rail ramps
- Load type consistency: High — steady import/export container cycle
- Peak dispatch hours: Early morning vessel discharge windows
📋 Job Description
- Handle high-frequency container moves between Port of Los Angeles, Port of Long Beach, and nearby rail ramps in Carson, Compton, and the Inland Empire
- Start shifts at the Wilmington yard with live dispatch, picking up assigned container numbers and proceeding to terminals such as Trapac, APM, or ITS
- Manage chassis condition, verify equipment at gate-in, and handle empty returns to designated depots in Wilmington or Carson
- Navigate port congestion, appointment-based pickups, and occasional rail drayage to ICTF or UP East Los Angeles Yard
- Communicate continuously with dispatch regarding changes, customs holds, or chassis availability
- Deliver to distribution hubs in the surrounding industrial zones with strict unload appointments
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
Minimum 6 months of port drayage or container experience preferred
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record, no major violations in past 3 years
Physical
Able to handle port operations, chassis inspections, and variable dwell times
Endorsements
TWIC card required (or obtain within 30 days)
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: Freightliner Cascadia 126 Day Cab (Detroit DD13)
- Fleet average age: 3–6 years, well maintained in Wilmington shop
- Features: Automatic DT12 transmission, Samsara telematics, ELD with port system integration, collision mitigation, lane departure warning, air ride seat
🏠 Home Time
- Daily home time — return to greater Los Angeles area residence every evening
- No over-the-road lodging required; day cab operation only
- Shifts generally conclude between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM, though port congestion can extend some days
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Wilmington yard → Port of Los Angeles terminals (Trapac/APM) → Rancho Dominguez or Carson distribution
- Port of Long Beach → ICTF Intermodal Terminal or UP East Los Angeles rail yard
- Empty chassis repositioning between Wilmington and Carson depots, then reload at port
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many container turns can I expect per day?
Most drivers complete 2–4 moves depending on terminal congestion, appointment timing, and chassis availability.
Is a TWIC card mandatory?
Yes. You must have or be willing to obtain a TWIC card within 30 days of hire.
What happens during port congestion?
Detention pay begins after 2 hours. Dispatch provides reroutes and live updates through the TMS system.
Do drivers have assigned trucks?
Yes. Day cab equipment is assigned from the Wilmington terminal fleet.
Are Saturdays required?
Only occasionally during peak import seasons (August–December) when vessel backlogs occur.
How are chassis managed?
Drivers inspect and reposition chassis between depots and terminals as needed. Shortages are common during surges.
🧭 Dispatch Notes (Live Feed)
- Early morning container availability released from steamship lines (Maersk, MSC, COSCO)
- Live TMS updates for appointment changes and terminal gate status
- Continuous communication required for customs holds or chassis repositioning
- System update: Port appointment system integrated with Samsara telematics
- Load priority status: First pulls assigned at start of shift with dynamic follow-ons
🔗 CDL-A Intermodal Drayage Driver – Los Angeles / Long Beach, California
Los Angeles area CDL-A drivers with port experience continue to see steady demand due to consistent container volume moving through the San Pedro Bay port complex. This local drayage position focuses on short-haul container work between the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and nearby distribution centers and rail facilities in the Inland Empire. Drivers operate day cabs out of the Wilmington yard with daily home time and no long-haul requirements. Weekly earnings typically range $1,550–$1,900 with built-in detention pay and occasional safety incentives. The role suits drivers comfortable with terminal procedures, chassis management, and variable gate times. Local freight demand remains strong year-round with noticeable peaks during retail import seasons. For experienced port drivers in Southern California, this type of dedicated drayage work offers predictable routes within familiar territory and reliable equipment maintenance support.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for CDL-A Intermodal Drayage Driver — Port of Los Angeles / Long Beach in Los Angeles / Long Beach, California.