CDL-A Intermodal MidWest Driver | Home Weekly | Chicago, IL | $1,550–$1,650/Week

Thedrivingdesk; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 71,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly home time

$10,000 sign-on bonus

Paid training with hotel stays

No-touch freight

Job summary

Thedrivingdesk is seeking Class A CDL truck drivers for regional intermodal work centered around the Chicago area and the Midwest. Enjoy weekly home time, strong earnings potential, and a generous sign-on bonus as you run regional routes with mostly drop-and-hook freight.

Drivers transport intermodal containers across multiple Midwest states, with home weekly schedules and opportunities for additional earnings through bonuses and per-stop pay.

Qualifications

• Valid Class A CDL with at least 3 months of tractor-trailer experience.
• Must reside in an eligible Midwest hiring area.
• HazMat endorsement required within 90 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Transport intermodal containers across the Midwest.
• Operate regional routes Illinois to Kentucky and surrounding states.
• Handle drop-and-hook shipments and live loads as scheduled.
• Complete deliveries on time and maintain accurate records.
• Perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections and comply with DOT safety rules.

Skills

CDL-A driving

Regional routes

Drop-and-hook

DOT regulations

HazMat endorsement plan

Job description

We're hiring Class A CDL Truck Drivers for regional intermodal driving opportunities based in the Chicago area and other eligible Midwest hiring locations.

This opportunity offers weekly home time, average weekly earnings of $1,550–$1,650, a limited-time $10,000 sign-on bonus, and primarily drop-and-hook freight.

Drivers transport intermodal containers throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. This position is ideal for experienced CDL-A drivers who enjoy regional routes, consistent freight, and additional activity-based earning opportunities.

20 driver openings are currently listed.

Pay & Compensation

• Average Weekly Earnings: $1,550–$1,650
• Reported Average Annual Earnings: Approximately $86,000
• Mileage Pay: $0.64–$0.69 per mile
• Sign-On Bonus: $10,000 for a limited time, subject to eligibility
• Drop-and-Hook Pay: $35 per qualifying stop
• Live Load/Unload Pay: $65 per qualifying stop
• Detention Pay: $20–$25 per hour after the first hour
• HazMat Load Pay: $25 per qualifying load
• Refrigerated Load Pay: $30 per qualifying load
• Crosstown Move Pay: $25–$60 per qualifying load
• Weekend Bonus: $150 per qualifying week
• New-Hire Training Pay: $250 per day
• Safety Training Pay: $22 per hour
• Additional compensation for qualifying delays, layovers, equipment moves, and other assigned activities

Actual earnings depend on mileage, freight activity, assignments, and bonus eligibility. Weekly and annual earnings are estimates, not guaranteed pay.

Schedule & Home Time

• Home Weekly
• Weekly 34-hour reset
• Regional routes throughout the Midwest
• Minimum operating expectation of approximately 1,800 miles per week
• Higher-mileage opportunities may be available based on performance and freight demand
• Drivers may qualify for additional weekend compensation
• Holiday work is not required under the current account schedule

Job Responsibilities

• Transport intermodal containers throughout the Midwest.
• Operate regional routes across Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.
• Pick up and deliver containers between rail facilities and customer locations.
• Complete drop-and-hook trailer exchanges.
• Handle live loading and unloading appointments when assigned.
• Transport occasional refrigerated and HazMat freight after obtaining the required endorsement.
• Complete assigned regional deliveries safely and on schedule.
• Perform pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections.
• Maintain accurate driving and delivery records.
• Communicate with dispatch regarding freight, delays, and equipment concerns.
• Follow applicable DOT regulations, rail-yard procedures, and company safety requirements.

Freight Handling: No-touch freight, with approximately 75% drop-and-hook and 25% live load/unload appointments.

Equipment & Freight

• Automatic-transmission Freightliner and International tractors
• Mid-roof conventional trucks
• Intermodal containers and chassis
• Approximately 75% drop-and-hook freight
• Approximately 25% live load/unload appointments
• Small percentage of refrigerated freight
• Regional Midwest operations

Drivers living within 50 miles of the Chicago terminal must park their assigned equipment at the terminal during home time.

Driver Requirements

• Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL-A).
• Minimum 3 months of qualifying tractor-trailer driving experience.
• Must reside within an eligible Midwest hiring area.
• Must obtain a HazMat endorsement within 90 days of hire.
• Must be comfortable operating regional routes across multiple states.
• Must be able to meet an expected minimum of approximately 1,800 miles per week, subject to freight availability and legal driving limits.
• Must be willing to complete intermodal rail-yard and customer deliveries.
• Must meet applicable DOT and company safety qualifications.
• SAP drivers are not eligible for this position.

Training & Orientation

• Approximately 1–2 weeks of new-hire training
• Training Pay: $250 per day
• Hotel accommodations during training
• Safety training and required meetings
• Intermodal operating procedures and equipment familiarization

Paid Time Off & Holidays

Paid time off accrual increases with years of service.

• PTO accrual begins at approximately 1.5 hours per week
• Approximately 10 PTO days annually after one year of service
• Additional PTO accrual with longer service
• Six major holidays covered under the applicable holiday-pay program
• Holiday-pay eligibility and amounts are subject to current program requirements

Why Drivers Apply

• Average weekly earnings of $1,550–$1,650
• Approximately $86,000 in reported annual earnings
• $10,000 limited-time sign-on bonus
• Home weekly
• Primarily drop-and-hook freight
• No-touch freight
• Automatic-transmission trucks
• Regional Midwest routes
• Additional activity-based earning opportunities
• Paid training with hotel accommodations