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Best Intermodal Driving Jobs

Intermodal transportation and drivers play a critical role in the secure, safe, and time-efficient delivery of goods to their destinations. Intermodal shipping itself provides the most ideal supply chain solution to maximize the value of goods and services to customers and to the various communities that receive them. There are many more positive impacts of intermodal driving and transportation. In this article, we’ll discuss what intermodal transportation and intermodal trucking involve, the substantial benefits of intermodal driving jobs, and the added benefits of the best intermodal driving jobs provided by Heavy Weight Transport.

What Is Intermodal?

The term intermodal refers to the use of more than one mode of transportation to move a trailer or other freight, most often in special containers. It is most often used in shipping and logistics processes. The main types of transportation methods used include truck, plane, ship, and rail, among others. Any transportation using two or more means falls under the category of intermodal transportation and shipping. Typical intermodal transportation shipping processes involve shipped containers moving from a US port of entry to a rail car, placing cargo on a truck during its journey to its final destination point, and the cargo arriving on an overseas vessel. 

There are many benefits to intermodal transportation. Intermodal services are highly reliable, offering set plane, rail, and trucking options for more predictable supply chain solutions as well as outbound and inbound transportation options in all of the major markets. Intermodal transportation and shipping of goods also provide for direct access to many transportation service options, increased opportunities for cost savings for many different parties during and after intermodal transportation of goods, choices for competitive long-haul transit, and alternative capacity. Handling the freight is also not necessary when changing the transportation mode.

warehouse distribution trucking

What Is Intermodal Trucking?

Intermodal trucking involves the transportation of goods or other freight using multiple methods, specifically including truck transportation as on a truck bed. Trucks then transport the goods to planes, rail cars, or others without any necessary repacking beforehand. Intermodal trucking is also a process that is highly flexible as different transportation forms can accommodate shipped freight, the locations of various transportation modes included are available all over the country, the intermodal trucking part of the shipping can reach various shipping destinations easily, and the intermodal shipping process can have shipping deadlines build in.

Truck drivers drive around 1,300 miles to 4,000 miles every week to assist in moving freight to its various destinations. Intermodal trucking is most commonly one of three distinct parts of intermodal transportation. The three sections of intermodal transportation are typically truck, air, and rail. Trucking typically occurs at either the end or the beginning of the freight handling process and the intermodal transportation process. One of the best aspects of intermodal trucking is that it does not depend on the locations of railroads and ports and is available almost anywhere, including major cities, especially cities close to international airports and ports. 

Benefits of Intermodal Driving Jobs

There are numerous unique opportunities for career growth and happiness by specializing in intermodal driving. In addition to the more typical job benefits, Heavy Weight Transport also provides its unique blend of high quality, time-efficiency, company values, and employment opportunities. The top benefits of an intermodal driving job include constant and steady freight loads, company-owned equipment and trucks, increased personal time for the truck drivers, significant and competitive truck driver salaries, drop-and-hook freight, job location options, consistent schedule, less labor and packing, and increased work flexibility. 

Drayage driver

Steady Freight Loads

Intermodal truck drivers enjoy the great benefit of constant, steady freight loads, which provide regular driving trips and result in a consistent income and regular, sizable paychecks. 

Company-Owned Equipment

Heavy Weight Transport provides its intermodal truck drivers with company-owned chassis that allow for easier transportation of ocean containers via truck instead of using SSL tires.

More Personal Time

Trains typically handle the long-distance portions of freight journeys, leaving intermodal truck drivers with more personal time outside of the job as just one part of a longer overall journey.

Competitive Driver Salary

Intermodal truck driver salaries are highly competitive with other driving jobs and career fields. Salaries range from $26,000 to $81,000 annually with an average of $64,258 in 2022

Drop-And-Hook Freight

Most freight is drop-and-hook, with a driver dropping off a full container and hooking their tractor to a pre-loaded trailer at the same facility. This means more move time and less wait time. 

Job Location Options

Intermodal truck drivers can work locally as well as regionally to move goods and other freight during their portion of the intermodal shipping process, giving them increased location options.

Consistent Schedule

Intermodal driving provides a more consistent schedule and an increased balance between your work and home life. The job provides the ability to be home daily while still making a good wage.

intermodal driver

Less Labor and Packing

Shipping containers remain packed and sealed from starting point to destination. Truck drivers don’t have to do nearly as much pickup and delivery labor with no-touch packing and unpacking.

Increased Work Flexibility

These jobs provide increased work flexibility to drivers, who see various interesting and distinct parts of the US while making money and experiencing independence and peace on the road.

Why Drive Intermodal?

In contrast to other goods shipment and transportation positions, an intermodal driving job specifically provides for less labor-intensive work but the valued drivers are still able to enjoy the significant benefits of work flexibility, consistent scheduling, a competitive salary, and more diversity regarding their shifts, interactions, and time off the clock most every day.

Beyond deciding on a beneficial and unique career in intermodal driving, Heavy Weight Transport provides the best intermodal driving jobs through the added benefits of both sign-on and referral bonuses, paid orientation, paid-for fuel cards, weekly pay, free recertification physicals, a 401K with company contributions, medical insurance, and DOT stop clean inspection bonuses, among numerous other given benefits to each intermodal driving position.