🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: San Bernardino, CA
- Route type: Port Drayage / Inland Intermodal
- Freight: Import/export containers (20’, 40’, 45’)
- Schedule: 5–6 days/week, early AM starts
📋 Job Description
- Pick up import containers at LA/Long Beach terminals and deliver to Inland Empire warehouses with 2–4 turns daily.
- Coordinate chassis swaps, gate appointments, and terminal check-ins while managing variable port wait times.
- Perform drop-and-hook operations at distribution centers in San Bernardino, Fontana, Ontario, and Rialto areas.
- Handle export container backhauls to maintain continuous freight flow and minimize empty miles.
- Complete pre-trip inspections, ELD logging, and container seal verification on each move.
- Adapt to daily dispatch assignments through EDI systems while averaging 800–1,400 miles weekly.
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
2+ years intermodal/port drayage preferred
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record, no major violations
Physical
Trailer coupling/uncoupling, chassis handling, and yard maneuvering
Endorsements
Valid TWIC card required
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: Owner-provided tractor (day cab or sleeper) with carrier chassis pool access
- Fleet average age: Mix of 2018–2024 Freightliner Cascadia, Peterbilt 579, Kenworth T680
- Features: Detroit DD15 or Cummins X15 engines, ELD/Motive-Samsara compatible systems
- Transmission type: Automatic preferred
- Maintenance program: Owner responsibility with optional carrier network discounts and fuel card
🏠 Home Time
- Dispatch releases drivers after final container delivery and equipment return to Inland Empire yards.
- Most shifts conclude with return to San Bernardino-area parking based on terminal flow and appointment timing.
- Weekend work available during peak vessel arrivals and retail replenishment cycles.
- Flexibility required for occasional extended port delays while maintaining consistent weekly resets at home.
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Long Beach Container Terminal → San Bernardino Distribution Center → I-710 / I-10 East
- TraPac Terminal → Fontana Retail DC → I-710 / CA-60 / I-15
- ITS Terminal → Rialto Warehouse Park → I-710 / I-10 East
- Port of LA → Ontario Cross-Dock → I-110 / I-10 East
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What experience is needed for this intermodal owner-operator role?
Minimum 2 years preferred with port drayage or container handling experience strongly favored. TWIC card is required for terminal access.
How many container turns do drivers typically complete per day?
Most drivers complete 2–4 turns depending on port congestion, chassis availability, and appointment windows.
Is this truly home daily?
Yes, the majority of shifts end with return to San Bernardino or nearby Inland Empire facilities, though occasional port delays may extend hours.
What type of equipment is used?
Owner-provided day cab or sleeper tractors paired with carrier or port pool container chassis (tandem/tri-axle).
How is pay calculated and settled?
Weekly gross revenue based on container moves and miles with settlements after fuel and fees. Higher earnings during peak import cycles.
Are weekends required?
Primarily 5 days with optional Saturday work during high-volume periods such as post-vessel surges and holiday imports.
💼 Career Opportunities
This owner-operator intermodal position in San Bernardino offers a strong foundation in the critical Southern California port-to-inland logistics corridor. Drivers gain deep expertise in container drayage, terminal procedures, and Inland Empire distribution networks that support major retail and e-commerce supply chains. Successful operators often progress into higher-volume dedicated runs or multi-terminal balanced freight. The role builds skills in appointment-based dispatching, chassis management, and congestion navigation — competencies valued across regional intermodal fleets. With consistent port activity year-round and growth in import volumes, this operation provides stable earning potential and the independence of owner-operator status while maintaining daily home time in the Inland Empire.
🔗 Owner Operator CDL-A Port & Inland Intermodal Driver – San Bernardino, CA
San Bernardino serves as a major inland hub for freight moving between the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and major distribution centers across the Inland Empire. This owner-operator CDL-A position focuses on port container drayage and inland deliveries of import and export goods. Drivers operate primarily in a local/home-daily model with weekly gross revenue potential of $5,500–$8,500 depending on turns, efficiency, and port conditions. The role involves early morning starts aligned with terminal windows, drop-and-hook operations at large warehouses, and coordination through EDI and appointment systems. With steady freight flow from global trade lanes, this opportunity delivers consistent work in one of the nation’s busiest logistics regions. Equipment includes owner-provided tractors paired with carrier chassis pools, supported by 24/7 dispatch and fuel programs. Ideal for experienced drivers seeking independence with strong regional freight volume.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for Owner Operator CDL-A Port & Inland Intermodal Driver in San Bernardino, CA.