🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: San Bernardino, CA
- Route type: Local home-daily port drayage
- Freight: ISO containers, import/export freight
- Schedule: Early AM starts, 5-6 days/week
- Average Weekly Miles: 800–1,400 miles
📋 Job Description
- Pickup ISO containers at LA/Long Beach marine terminals and deliver to Inland Empire warehouses completing 3-6 moves daily.
- Coordinate gate appointments, chassis swaps, and terminal security protocols while managing variable wait times.
- Execute drop-and-hook operations between port facilities and San Bernardino, Fontana, Ontario distribution centers.
- Perform pre-trip inspections, seal verification, and ELD compliance updates on each port turn.
- Handle backhaul export loads returning to port terminals to minimize empty miles during daily dispatch cycles.
- Navigate port congestion and appointment windows operating 10–14 hour shifts based on vessel schedules.
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
1+ year container drayage or port experience required
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record, no major violations
Physical
Trailer coupling/uncoupling, chassis handling, and repeated yard maneuvering
Endorsements
TWIC card required
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: Dedicated day cab Kenworth T680 assigned by dispatch based on terminal availability
- Fleet average age: 3-year average with high-maintenance chassis rotation system
- Features: Automatic transmission, inverter, standard A/C, port EIR and GPS tracking systems
- Maintenance program: Hybrid in-house and vendor network with rapid chassis exchange protocol
- Operational constraint: Shared chassis pool subject to port congestion and appointment timing
🏠 Home Time
- Dispatch releases drivers after final container delivery and equipment inspection at regional yard.
- Return timing varies with terminal gate delays and inbound vessel schedules affecting daily cycles.
- Weekend rotations managed through balanced dispatch planning to maintain continuous port coverage.
- Late returns possible during peak import periods but majority of shifts conclude same day.
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Long Beach Terminal → Ontario Warehouse District → I-710 / I-10 East
- Los Angeles Port → San Bernardino Cross-Dock → I-710 / CA-60 / I-215
- Fontana Distribution Center → Port of Long Beach (export) → I-15 / I-710 South
- Rialto Facility → LA Marine Terminal → I-215 / I-10 West
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many moves or deliveries do drivers typically complete per shift?
Drivers normally complete 3-6 container moves per day depending on terminal efficiency, appointment windows, and chassis availability.
Is a TWIC card required for this position?
Yes, a valid TWIC card is mandatory for access to LA/Long Beach port terminals and secure container areas.
What are the typical start times and shift lengths?
Shifts usually begin between 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM to align with port appointments. Daily hours range from 10–14 hours based on congestion and load volume.
Are trucks assigned or do drivers slip-seat?
Drivers are assigned dedicated Kenworth T680 day cabs with consistent equipment to support daily port operations.
How is overtime and detention handled?
Overtime is paid after 40 hours with additional compensation available for extended terminal wait times and detention.
What experience level is needed for port drayage work?
Minimum 1 year of CDL-A experience is required, with preference for prior container, chassis, or intermodal operations.
💼 Career Opportunities
San Bernardino serves as a key Inland Empire logistics hub supporting the massive container volume flowing through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. This Local CDL-A Port Drayage Driver role provides a stable foundation in high-demand intermodal operations. Drivers gain specialized experience in port procedures, chassis management, and tight-schedule coordination that opens pathways for advancement.
Many drivers progress from drayage routes into dedicated yard or shuttle positions before moving to regional container runs or trainer roles. Internal fleet opportunities include dispatch coordination, yard supervision, and fleet maintenance oversight. The continuous import/export freight cycle in Southern California supports consistent work volume and predictable earnings patterns. Safety-focused drivers can qualify for additional performance incentives while building long-term career stability within established 3PL and carrier networks.
🔗 Local CDL-A Port Drayage Driver – San Bernardino, CA
San Bernardino CDL-A drivers are essential to the Inland Empire’s role as the primary distribution gateway for goods arriving at America’s busiest port complex. This local home daily port drayage position offers $1,500–$1,950 weekly pay with early morning starts and consistent container freight between LA/Long Beach terminals and regional warehouses in Ontario, Fontana, and Rialto. Drivers operate modern Kenworth T680 tractors pulling 20’, 40’, and 45’ chassis on short but operationally complex routes shaped by port appointment systems and vessel schedules.
The role features home daily returns, hourly pay structure with overtime opportunities, and a $1,250 sign-on bonus. With strong demand for experienced container operators who hold a TWIC card, this position delivers reliable local work within a critical freight corridor. Join a fleet focused on efficient chassis rotation and real-time dispatch support in one of the nation’s highest-volume intermodal markets.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for Local CDL-A Port Drayage Driver in San Bernardino, CA.