🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Joliet, Illinois
- Route type: Local home-daily shuttle
- Freight: Pre-loaded dry van trailers
- Schedule: Early AM starts, 8–14 hour shifts, mostly M–F
📦 Joliet Corridor Shuttle Flow
- Daily volume: Multiple trailer moves per shift
- Average haul distance: 10–60 miles
- Primary freight lanes: Distribution centers, cross-docks, staging yards in Joliet–Chicago corridor
- Load type consistency: Pre-loaded drop & hook
- Peak dispatch hours: Early morning outbound and late afternoon inbound waves
📋 Job Description
- Drop-and-hook pre-loaded 53’ dry van trailers between warehouses, cross-docks, and staging yards
- Reposition empty trailers to support inbound and outbound warehouse waves
- Respond to same-day dispatch changes due to yard capacity and freight balancing needs
- Perform digital gate check-in/out and Samsara ELD compliance
- Navigate yard congestion and coordinate with warehouse teams during peak periods
- Maintain on-time shuttle performance while handling variable wait times at docks
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
1+ year verifiable tractor-trailer experience preferred
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record, no major violations
Physical
Able to climb in/out of day cab and manage frequent hook/unhook cycles
Endorsements
None required
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: International LT Series day cab (2021–2024 mixed fleet)
- Fleet average age: 3–7 years
- Features: Eaton Endurant automatic transmission, Samsara ELD, YMS integration, GPS trailer tracking
🏠 Home Time
- Return to Joliet home terminal daily after completing assigned moves
- Most shifts end in the evening, though peak periods can extend into later hours
📍 Typical Joliet Shuttle Runs
- Joliet distribution center to nearby cross-dock facilities (short repositioning)
- Staging yard trailer pulls to retail DC inbound docks
- Rail-adjacent yard moves supporting Chicago metro freight balancing
🧭 Daily Dispatch Patterns
- Scenario A: Early outbound wave – multiple loaded trailer drops to retail DCs
- Scenario B: Mid-day empties repositioning between warehouses during congestion
- Scenario C: Late afternoon inbound reset moves with possible detention wait
- Fallback Load Plan: Yard spotting and emergency freight balancing as directed
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How is weekly pay calculated?
Base hourly rate plus yard shuttle pay, detention/standby, and overtime after 40 hours. Actual earnings vary with yard congestion and daily volume.
What does home daily actually look like?
You return to the Joliet area every day after your shift. Start times are usually 4–8 AM depending on warehouse waves.
Is there detention pay?
Yes. Detention and standby time are paid when waiting on trailer readiness or dock access.
What experience is needed?
At least 1 year of verifiable CDL-A tractor-trailer experience is strongly preferred for this shuttle role.
What equipment will I drive?
International LT day cab tractors (2021–2024) with automatic transmissions pulling 53’ dry vans.
How predictable are the daily routes?
Core lanes are consistent but dispatch can redirect you multiple times per shift based on yard and warehouse needs.
📡 Dispatch Notes (Live Feed)
- Yard congestion common during peak retail waves
- Real-time trailer location via GPS and YMS
- Frequent short moves with variable wait times
- System update: Samsara ELD + digital gate systems
- Load priority status: Warehouse wave driven
🔗 Local Warehouse Shuttle CDL-A Driver – Joliet, Illinois
This local shuttle position moves pre-loaded dry van trailers between major distribution centers, cross-dock facilities, and staging yards throughout the Joliet–Chicago logistics corridor. Drivers perform drop-and-hook operations in a high-volume environment where warehouse inbound and outbound waves dictate the flow of work. Daily mileage stays relatively low (80–180 miles) while trip count stays high, especially during morning outbound and afternoon reset periods.
Operations rely on quick trailer swaps, but yard congestion and dock delays are regular parts of the job, particularly when retail or manufacturing cycles peak. Start times typically fall between 4 AM and 8 AM. Most drivers finish their day and return home in the evening, though extended shifts occur when trailer availability or congestion requires additional moves. The role uses International LT day cabs equipped with automatic transmissions and Samsara ELD systems for compliance and tracking.
Pay is structured as hourly base plus shuttle incentives, detention, and overtime after 40 hours, leading to weekly earnings between $1,450 and $2,050 depending on actual hours and conditions. A $1,000 sign-on bonus is paid in installments over the first 90 days, with quarterly safety bonuses available for consistent performance. This is a practical home-daily opportunity for drivers who prefer repetitive short-haul work in a busy Midwest logistics hub rather than long highway runs.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for Local Warehouse Shuttle CDL-A Driver in Joliet, Illinois.