Job Snapshot
Weekly Pay Target $1,350 – $1,550
Hourly Rate $29 – $33 / Hr
Weekly Hours 45 – 55 Hours
Home Frequency Home Daily
Equipment Day Cab Tractors + Container Chassis
Freight Type Import/Export Containers
Touch Freight Level Live Load/Unload Common
Run Territory Northern NJ & Eastern PA
Position Overview
Our recruiting team is hiring experienced CDL-A drivers for local intermodal container operations based at the Port Newark–Elizabeth Marine Terminal complex. This role focuses on drayage moves of import and export containers between marine terminals, rail yards, and distribution centers across northern New Jersey and into eastern Pennsylvania.
Drivers work primarily out of the Newark area with home daily schedules. The operation serves one of the highest-volume container ports on the East Coast. Expect a mix of terminal work, short highway runs, and customer deliveries with frequent gate appointments and chassis exchanges.
Primary activity centers around Port Newark, Port Elizabeth, APM Terminals, and Maher Terminal, with deliveries to warehouses in Secaucus, Edison, Cranbury, South Kearny, and as far as Bethlehem and Allentown, PA.
Typical Day
Shifts usually start between 4:30 AM and 7:00 AM at the Newark terminal. After a pre-trip inspection on your day cab tractor, you head to the assigned marine terminal to pick up a loaded container or return an export. Most mornings involve retrieving import containers off vessels or from storage yards.
Throughout the day, dispatch assigns additional moves based on vessel schedules and customer appointments. You'll make two to four container turns on a typical shift, handling chassis swaps, seal checks, and paperwork at gates. Traffic on the Turnpike and port access roads is common, especially during peak hours.
Final returns to the yard in the late afternoon include post-trip inspection and chassis staging. Detention time from terminal congestion or customer delays is tracked and compensated after the initial wait period.
Route Coverage & Operations
Active Driving Territory: Northern New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania
Average Trip Distance: Local / Short Regional (20-80 miles one way)
Route Type: Local Intermodal Drayage
Primary Corridors & Highways: I-95 NJ Turnpike, I-78, I-287, I-280, NJ-440, US-1/9
Core Delivery Cities: Secaucus, Edison, Cranbury, South Kearny, Bethlehem, Allentown
Traffic & Route Challenges: Heavy port and Turnpike congestion, gate delays, appointment scheduling
Freight Specifications
Primary Commodities: Import/Export shipping containers (retail merchandise, electronics, apparel, auto parts, food ingredients)
Cargo Securing System: Container chassis (20', 40', 45', 53')
Load Profile: Loaded and empty ocean containers
Reload Frequency: Multiple turns per day common
Standard Trailer Length: Container chassis configurations
Delivery & Terminal Process
Drivers handle gate check-in, chassis inspections, container number and seal verification, and BOL documentation at marine terminals. Most customer deliveries are by appointment at warehouse distribution centers.
The operation runs a mix of drop-and-hook (about 35%) and live load/unload (65%). Terminal congestion during vessel arrivals can extend wait times, which is compensated after the initial period.
Loading, Unloading & Operations
Freight Touch Level: Container handling and chassis work
Drop & Hook Percentage: 35% Drop & Hook
Live Loading Ratio: 65% Live moves at terminals/customers
Average Scheduled Stops: 2–4 container moves per day
License & DOT Requirements
License Class: Active CDL-A License
DOT Medical Certification: Required (Current Medical Card)
Pre-Employment Screening: Background, Drug Screen, Clearinghouse
PSP Record Standard: Verified Safe Driving History
Hiring Area
We are hiring drivers who live within reasonable commuting distance to the Newark terminal. Local candidates from northern New Jersey and nearby areas get priority for home daily schedules.
Primary Hiring Cities: Newark, Elizabeth, Jersey City, Edison, Secaucus, and surrounding communities
Hiring Radius Limit: Local focus – reliable daily return to Newark area
Tractor Features & Fleet Specifications
Assigned Sleeper: Day Cab Tractors (Freightliner Cascadia, International LT, Kenworth T680 – 2020-2024 models)
Average Equipment Age: Recent model years
Transmission Setup: Automatic
In-Cabin Active Safety Tech: Forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise on newer units
Driver Camera Security: Forward-facing dash cameras
Electronic Log System: Samsara ELD
Container Chassis Configurations
Trailer Fleet: 20', 40', 45', and 53' container chassis
Drop & Hook Percentage: 35%
Fleet Asset Tracking: Electronic tracking enabled
Compensation & Base Earnings
Hourly Rate: $29.00 – $33.00 per hour
Average Weekly Earnings: $1,350 – $1,550 (based on 45-55 hours)
Overtime: Paid per company policy
Payroll Schedule / Frequency: Weekly Direct Deposit
Intermodal & Port Operations
Rail Ramp Access: Nearby rail facilities served
Port Access: Port Newark, Port Elizabeth, APM Terminals, Maher Terminal, Port Jersey
TWIC Requirements: Required for terminal entry
Container Chassis: Company and leased chassis pool
Demurrage & Detention: Tracked and compensated per policy
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the home time frequency on this account? A: Home Daily – return to Newark terminal most evenings
Q: Do I need a TWIC card? A: Yes, or the ability to obtain one shortly after hire
Q: What is the target weekly pay for this position? A: $1,350 – $1,550 average (higher with overtime and detention)
Q: How many container moves per day? A: Typically 2–4 depending on terminal conditions and appointments
Q: Is experience at ports required? A: Preferred but not mandatory – we value safe, reliable drivers
Local Driver Market & Regional Economy
The Port of New York and New Jersey, centered around Newark and Elizabeth, is one of the largest container ports in the country. Steady import and export volumes support consistent local intermodal work throughout the year. Drivers familiar with Turnpike traffic, port procedures, and warehouse deliveries in the region do particularly well here.
Northern New Jersey offers strong freight demand from retail distribution, manufacturing, and international trade. Major corridors like the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95), I-78, and surrounding routes keep drivers moving between marine terminals and inland warehouses. This market provides reliable home daily opportunities for experienced container drivers.
