🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: San Bernardino, CA
- Route type: Regional intermodal rail shuttle
- Freight: Domestic containers, retail imports, consumer products
- Schedule: 2–4 nights out weekly with weekend resets at home
📋 Job Description
- Drivers move loaded and empty domestic containers between BNSF/UP rail terminals and Southwest distribution centers completing 1–4 round trips weekly.
- Perform drop-and-hook operations at rail yards while conducting chassis and container seal inspections.
- Coordinate with rail dispatch for container availability and appointment windows during 10–14 hour shifts.
- Execute pre-trip inspections, ELD logging, and YMS updates on Kenworth T680 tractors pulling container chassis.
- Navigate regional routes carrying retail merchandise and consumer goods with average 1,900–2,500 miles per week.
- Complete backhaul loaded containers returning to intermodal facilities for cross-country rail loading.
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
12 months CDL-A experience required; intermodal or chassis experience preferred
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record, no major violations in past 3 years
Physical
Able to climb, couple/uncouple, and perform chassis inspections in yard environments
Endorsements
None required; TWIC card familiarity preferred
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: Dedicated day-cab Kenworth T680 Next Gen assigned by seniority and availability
- Fleet average age: 2-year average with rolling replacement cycle
- Features: Premium air-ride seating, inverter, refrigerator, and rail appointment integration
- Transmission type: Automatic
- Maintenance program: Hybrid in-house and vendor network with rapid response for rail yard downtime
🏠 Home Time
- Dispatch plans returns around weekend rail schedule windows to guarantee home time every Friday or Saturday.
- Freight cycles tied to rail arrivals allow most drivers to complete weekly resets at home base.
- Late container releases may extend one night, with priority given to balancing driver availability.
- Advance notice of 24–48 hours provided for route planning whenever rail manifests allow.
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- San Bernardino BNSF → Phoenix DC → I-10 East
- San Bernardino UP Yard → Las Vegas Distribution → I-15 North
- Ontario Rail Facility → Fontana Retail Cross-Dock → Local I-10 / I-15 connectors
- San Bernardino Intermodal → Moreno Valley Warehouses → Regional CA-60 / I-215
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many miles do drivers average weekly?
Most drivers cover 1,900–2,500 miles per week depending on rail container availability and Southwest distribution demand.
Is this drop-and-hook or live load?
Primarily drop-and-hook at rail terminals and distribution centers with occasional live unload coordination.
What are typical start times?
Start times vary with rail arrivals, commonly early morning or mid-afternoon dispatches with 24–48 hour advance notice.
Are trucks assigned or slip-seated?
Drivers are assigned late-model Kenworth T680 tractors with consistent equipment where possible.
Is overtime available?
Overtime is paid after 40 hours with additional opportunities during peak rail volume periods.
How consistent is home time?
Drivers are home every weekend with dispatch structured around rail schedules to support 2–4 nights out maximum.
💼 Career Opportunities
This Regional CDL-A Intermodal Rail Driver position in San Bernardino serves as an excellent entry into stable intermodal operations in one of the nation’s busiest rail corridors. Drivers gain deep experience with BNSF and UP terminal procedures, container chassis handling, and Southwest regional freight patterns. Many advance from regional intermodal runs into dedicated account roles, yard supervisory positions, or linehaul dispatch opportunities within the same network. The Southern California logistics market offers consistent freight volume year-round due to import flows and domestic repositioning. Internal promotion paths include fleet trainer, intermodal coordinator, and transportation supervisor roles. Drivers who demonstrate strong safety records and rail-yard efficiency frequently qualify for higher-paying dedicated routes and leadership tracks within the company’s expanding Southwest operations.
🔗 Regional CDL-A Intermodal Rail Driver – San Bernardino, CA
San Bernardino serves as a major inland hub for intermodal freight moving through BNSF and UP rail terminals. This Regional CDL-A Intermodal Rail Driver role focuses on efficient container movement between rail yards and distribution centers across Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada. Drivers enjoy competitive weekly pay of $1,700–$2,200 based on variable hours tied to rail schedules, modern Kenworth T680 tractors, and home time every weekend. The position involves primarily drop-and-hook operations with domestic containers carrying retail imports and consumer goods. With strong local freight demand driven by Southwest distribution networks, this role provides operational stability and predictable earnings in a high-volume intermodal environment.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for Regional CDL-A Intermodal Rail Driver in San Bernardino, CA.