🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Phoenix, AZ
- Route type: Regional Intermodal
- Freight: 40ft / 53ft intermodal containers (port + retail flow)
- Schedule: Rail appointment-based dispatch, structured weekly cycles
📋 Job Description
- Move containers between Phoenix rail ramps and Southern California terminals
- Handle drop & hook chassis operations tied to rail schedules
- Run import/export freight from West Coast port systems
- Follow rail appointment timing (UP / BNSF network flow)
- Work structured regional cycles between Arizona and California
- Maintain safe yard and highway operations across intermodal corridors
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
6+ months tractor-trailer experience preferred
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean record, no major violations
Physical
Occasional chassis securement and light yard movement
Endorsements
None required
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: Partial assigned units (dispatch-based rotation)
- Fleet average age: newer Cascadia units mixed with mid-cycle Volvo VNL tractors
- Features: intermodal chassis pool, drop & hook setup, mixed yard rotation fleet, partial APU-equipped tractors
🏠 Home Time
- 2–3 nights per week away from home depending on rail cycle timing
- Most drivers reset at home between regional rotations through Phoenix
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- I-10: Phoenix, AZ → Tucson, AZ → Los Angeles, CA rail ramps
- I-210 / I-215: Los Angeles, CA → San Bernardino → Inland Empire distribution hubs
- I-10 return cycle: Long Beach port corridors → Blythe, CA → Phoenix, AZ terminals
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
💰 Bonus Structure
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How predictable are the Phoenix to California runs week to week?
Most weeks stay on the same I-10 rail corridor, but timing shifts around rail appointments and port flow.
Do I usually keep the same truck or rotate units?
Mostly assigned, but some swaps happen when yard maintenance cycles come through.
How often am I getting home in this intermodal setup?
Typically 2–3 nights per week, depending on how rail schedules line up.
What kind of freight am I moving daily?
Mostly 40ft/53ft containers tied to import/export freight through West Coast ports.
Is there a lot of waiting at the rail ramps?
Some weeks yes, especially during peak port cycles, but drop & hook keeps most moves flowing.
How does pay usually land week to week?
Most drivers stay in the $1,300–$1,700 range depending on miles and rail timing delays.
📊 Local Market Insights
Most freight moves through the I-10 corridor linking Phoenix rail ramps with Southern California port systems. From there, containers cycle through Inland Empire hubs along I-210 and I-215 before turning back inland toward Arizona. Rail timing from UP and BNSF networks shapes when trucks move in and out of terminals more than raw mileage. During heavier import cycles, yard congestion around Los Angeles and Long Beach can slow turnaround, but Phoenix dispatch loops stay structured around those rail windows.
🔗 Intermodal CDL-A Driver – Phoenix Rail Yard (UP / BNSF Network)
Phoenix intermodal work runs tight around rail appointments more than anything else. Most of your week is tied to the I-10 corridor running into Southern California, picking up containers from rail ramps connected to Los Angeles and Inland Empire distribution hubs. Freight is mostly import-driven, so timing shifts with port volume and train arrivals rather than long-haul mileage. You’ll see repeat lanes between Phoenix, San Bernardino, and Long Beach, with drop & hook moves keeping the rotation moving. It’s structured, but not static — rail delays and yard flow can change how the day looks. Drivers usually settle into a predictable rhythm after a couple weeks once dispatch patterns become familiar.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for Intermodal CDL-A Driver – Phoenix Rail Yard in Phoenix, AZ.
