🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Elizabeth, New Jersey
- Route type: Local port drayage – home daily
- Freight: Import/export containers, retail, automotive parts
- Schedule: 5:00–8:00 AM starts, Monday–Friday shifts
- Average Weekly Miles: 900–1,300 miles
- Primary Corridors: NJ Turnpike, I-95, I-78, Route 1&9
📋 Job Description
- Perform 2–4 container turns daily moving import/export loads between Port Newark–Elizabeth terminals and nearby rail yards or depots.
- Complete chassis drop-and-hook operations while coordinating with terminal gate personnel and dispatch for appointment windows.
- Handle TWIC-compliant pickups and deliveries of 20’, 40’, and 53’ containers along NJ Turnpike corridors in 10–12 hour shifts.
- Conduct pre-trip inspections, seal verifications, and ELD updates during multiple short-haul moves of 10–60 miles per leg.
- Navigate port congestion and chassis availability to maintain efficient terminal-to-depot flows for retail and industrial freight.
- Communicate with warehouse teams for container positioning at transload facilities while meeting daily productivity targets.
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
1+ year container or chassis drayage experience preferred
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record, no major violations
Physical
Trailer coupling/uncoupling, dock backing, and chassis handling
Endorsements
TWIC card compliance required; hazmat not required
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: Dedicated day cab International LT tractors assigned by dispatch based on terminal proximity.
- Fleet average age: Approximately 4 years with consistent rotation to maintain reliability.
- Features: Geotab telematics, port security systems, and automatic transmissions for urban maneuvering.
- Transmission type: Automatic across the fleet for reduced fatigue during repeated short-haul turns.
- Maintenance program: Hybrid in-house and vendor network with rapid response for chassis and tractor issues.
🏠 Home Time
- Drivers return home nightly after completing final container repositioning and equipment checks.
- Dispatch releases based on terminal gate clearance and last delivery confirmation each shift.
- Weekend work remains optional except during peak vessel arrival windows or retail import surges.
- Late afternoon loads are reassigned to maintain consistent daily home returns across the fleet.
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Port Newark Terminal → Elizabeth Rail Yard → NJ Turnpike Exit 13A
- Elizabeth Marine Terminal → Carteret Distribution Depot → I-95 North short haul
- Port Elizabeth → Linden Transload Facility → Route 1&9 Industrial Corridor
- Newark Container Yard → Edison Freight Consolidation → I-78 West return
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What are the typical daily miles and turns for this port drayage role?
Drivers average 900–1,300 weekly miles with 2–4 container turns per shift depending on terminal dwell times and appointment efficiency. Most days stay under 220 miles total.
Is TWIC card required for this Elizabeth port position?
Yes, active TWIC compliance is mandatory for terminal access. Drivers must follow port security protocols and gate procedures on every move.
How does port congestion affect the daily schedule?
Dispatch continuously reassigns loads based on real-time terminal availability. Drivers are compensated for productive time while waiting during peak congestion periods.
Are trucks assigned or will I be slip-seated?
Drivers are assigned consistent day cab tractors equipped with Geotab telematics. Assignment prioritizes proximity to primary terminals.
What type of containers and chassis will I primarily haul?
Primarily 20’, 40’, and occasional 53’ containers on mixed chassis fleet. Focus is on import/export retail, automotive, and industrial machinery components.
How is overtime and detention handled in this local role?
Overtime applies after 40 hours with additional compensation for detention and extra stops. Peak vessel cycles increase earning opportunities.
💼 Career Opportunities
Starting as a port drayage driver in Elizabeth provides deep operational knowledge of intermodal container flows and terminal logistics in one of the busiest port complexes in the United States. Drivers develop strong skills in chassis management, TWIC procedures, and coordinating with multiple marine terminals and rail facilities. This experience translates well into roles handling higher-volume regional accounts or specialized freight within the New Jersey distribution network. Many drivers progress toward lead driver or yard operations positions after demonstrating consistent safety and productivity. The stable import/export cycle in Northern New Jersey supports long-term employment with predictable local home time.
🔗 Local CDL-A Port Drayage Container Driver – Elizabeth, NJ
This local CDL-A port drayage position in Elizabeth, New Jersey focuses on container movements supporting the Port Newark–Elizabeth marine terminals. Drivers move import and export containers between vessel discharge points, rail ramps, and regional depots serving Northern New Jersey’s retail and industrial supply chains. The role operates primarily along the New Jersey Turnpike, I-95, and I-78 corridors with daily returns home. Typical freight includes consumer goods, automotive components, and machinery parts arriving through global shipping lines.
Equipment consists of late-model International LT day cabs pulling 20’, 40’, and 53’ containers on a well-maintained chassis fleet. Shifts run 10–12 hours with 2–4 turns per day influenced by vessel schedules and terminal availability. Pay ranges from $28–$33 per hour for an estimated $1,400–$1,800 weekly based on variable hours tied to port activity. Additional earnings come from safety bonuses, overtime, and detention pay. This operation offers stable local work within a high-volume intermodal environment with strong freight demand year-round.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for Local CDL-A Port Drayage Container Driver in Elizabeth, NJ.