CDL-A Intermodal Drayage Driver - Port & DC Lanes

Mid-sized regional carrier supports import and export container freight through JAXPORT marine terminals, nearby rail ramps and customer distribution centers across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.

• Completes gate transactions at marine terminals and rail facilities.
• Inspects chassis, twist locks, seals and container numbers before departure.
• Handles live unload, live load and drop-and-hook exchanges at warehouses.
• Returns empty equipment or picks export loads before vessel cut-offs.
• Maintains electronic POD, interchange receipts and accurate HOS logs.
• Communicates terminal congestion, chassis issues and appointment changes.

Hybrid hourly plus activity pay accounts for time spent at terminals, gates and customer facilities rather than pure mileage.

Drivers perform full pre-trip inspections of chassis lighting, air lines, twist locks, tires, brakes and structure before leaving the terminal. Maintenance handled at Jacksonville facility with roadside support across Florida and Southeast Georgia.

Import containers leave Blount Island or Talleyrand Marine Terminals for regional warehouses; export loads return toward JAXPORT after inland loading.

• Jacksonville to Savannah, GA and Brunswick, GA
• Jacksonville to Lake City, Gainesville, Ocala and Orlando, FL
• Jacksonville to Baldwin / St. Augustine loops
• Primary corridors: I-95, I-10, I-295, US-17, FL-9A, US-301
• Retail merchandise, CPG, food ingredients, paper, furniture, building products, auto parts
• Approx. 35% drop-and-hook, 30% live load, 35% live unload
• 2–4 container transactions typical per shift

• Valid Class A CDL
• Minimum 6 months recent CDL-A experience preferred
• Valid DOT Medical Card and FMCSA Clearinghouse registration
• Acceptable MVR and ability to pass DOT drug screen
• TWIC preferred (company reimbursement available after intro period)
• Comfortable with frequent chassis inspections and terminal gate work
• Ability to climb in/out of tractor multiple times daily and lift ~50 lbs

• Morning gate congestion at Blount Island and Talleyrand after large vessel arrivals
• Temporary chassis shortages requiring pool or terminal redirects
• I-95 / I-295 / Heckscher Drive traffic and seasonal construction
• Longer warehouse dwell times during peak import inventory weeks
• Summer thunderstorms and tropical weather affecting gate processing

Jacksonville ranks among the strongest CDL-A hiring markets in the Southeast. Deep-water port activity, Class I rail, interstate access and dense warehouse development create steady demand for intermodal, local container, regional dry van, dedicated retail, LTL and refrigerated drivers. Mid-sized regional carriers compete with national fleets and local port operators for drivers who understand gate procedures, appointment windows and chassis handling. Import peaks, agricultural exports and year-round distribution freight reduce the seasonal swings common in tourism-heavy Florida markets. Experienced local and intermodal drivers typically move through hiring faster because they already know terminal documentation and customer expectations. Consistent container throughput and expanding logistics parks continue to support reliable local and short-haul opportunities without extended OTR schedules.

JAXPORT, CSX and Florida East Coast Railway connections plus direct access to I-95, I-10 and I-295 position Jacksonville as a primary Southeast freight gateway. Containerized imports of consumer goods, household merchandise, retail inventory, furniture, electronics, food ingredients, paper and industrial supplies arrive continuously. Export traffic includes forest products, paper, agricultural commodities, machinery and manufactured equipment. Northside industrial corridors, West Jacksonville logistics parks and I-295 distribution centers generate short-haul moves between marine terminals, warehouses, rail facilities and chassis pools. Some containers travel deeper into Central Florida or Southeast Georgia before returning with export loads or empties. Diversified cargo—military, automotive, refrigerated and project freight—keeps volume less dependent on any single sector. Morning congestion near Blount Island and Heckscher Drive is routine during busy shipping periods, while afternoon warehouse appointments require tight time management. Vessel schedules, customs releases and rail cut-offs shape daily flow, producing a realistic year-round market for intermodal capacity.