Intermodal Freight Shipping
Rail and truck combined for long-haul cost savings and lower emissions
Intermodal freight shipping combines rail and truck transportation for long-haul shipments over 500 miles. Your freight travels in a standard 53-foot container that is trucked (drayed) from your origin to the nearest rail terminal, moved by train to a destination rail terminal, then drayed by truck to the final delivery point. Intermodal can save up to 30% compared to over-the-road FTL on qualifying lanes, with the added benefit of lower carbon emissions per ton-mile. The trade-off is transit time — intermodal adds 2–4 days compared to FTL on the same lane.
Up to 42,500 lbs per container (slightly less than FTL due to container weight)
Weight Capacity
Up to 30% cost savings vs. over-the-road FTL on lanes over 500 miles
Typical Rates
Add 2–4 days over FTL for rail transit and drayage connections. Best for planned, non-urgent freight with 5+ day lead times.
Transit Time
53-foot containers: 53'L × 8'6"W × 9'6"H. COFC (Container on Flat Car) and TOFC (Trailer on Flat Car) options.
Dimensions
Key Features
Everything you get with our Intermodal freight service.
Rail + truck combination for optimized long-haul lanes over 500 miles
Up to 30% cost savings compared to over-the-road truckload
Lower carbon footprint per ton-mile than all-truck shipping
53-foot containers and 20/40-foot international container options
COFC (container on flat car) and TOFC (trailer on flat car) service
Drayage coordination at origin and destination rail terminals
Ideal for consistent, high-volume, planned freight with flexible timing
Door-to-door service including pickup, rail, and final delivery
Common Commodities
Freight types most commonly shipped via Intermodal.
Consumer goods (non-perishable)
Retail merchandise and inventory
Paper and packaging products
Building materials
Automotive parts (non-JIT)
Chemicals (non-hazmat, non-temp-sensitive)
Agricultural products (grain, feed)
Plastics and resins
Beverages (non-refrigerated)
Household goods
When to Choose Intermodal
Ideal For
Consistent, high-volume freight on lanes over 500 miles where cost savings outweigh transit speed. Best for planned shipments with 5+ day lead times, non-perishable commodities, and shippers with predictable weekly volumes. Not ideal for time-sensitive, fragile, or temperature-controlled freight.
Equipment Comparison
How Intermodal compares to other freight options.
Intermodal vs. FTL Dry Van
FTL dry van is faster (direct routing, no rail transfers) but costs 20–30% more on qualifying lanes. Use FTL when transit time matters. Use intermodal when you have 5+ day lead times and want to reduce freight cost.
Intermodal vs. LTL
For lighter loads under 10,000 lbs, LTL may be more cost-effective than intermodal. Intermodal requires full container loads to be economical. Compare both for shipments in the 10,000–25,000 lb range.
States We Serve with Intermodal
View detailed Intermodal freight information for each state, including local industries, key lanes, and regulations.
Intermodal Shipping FAQs
How much can I save with intermodal vs. FTL?
Intermodal typically saves 15–30% compared to over-the-road FTL on lanes over 500 miles. The savings come from rail's fuel efficiency — a single train can move the equivalent of 280 trucks. Savings are highest on high-volume, coast-to-coast lanes.
How much longer does intermodal take than FTL?
Intermodal typically adds 2–4 days over FTL transit time on the same lane. This includes drayage at both ends (pickup to rail terminal, rail terminal to delivery) plus rail transit time. A lane that takes 3 days FTL might take 5–7 days intermodal.
What lanes are best for intermodal?
Intermodal works best on high-volume lanes over 500 miles between cities with major rail terminals — Chicago to LA, Atlanta to Dallas, Chicago to Atlanta, Memphis to Chicago, etc. Short-haul or rural routes without nearby rail terminals are not intermodal-friendly.
Which railroads handle intermodal freight?
The major Class I railroads operating intermodal service include BNSF, Union Pacific, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Canadian Pacific Kansas City. Chicago is the largest intermodal hub with 25+ facilities where all major railroads converge.
Is intermodal reliable or does freight get damaged?
Modern intermodal service is highly reliable — containers are designed to protect freight during rail transit. However, the additional handling (origin drayage, rail transfer, destination drayage) does create more touchpoints than FTL. Proper palletization, load securement inside the container, and working with experienced intermodal carriers minimizes damage risk.
Need a Intermodal Carrier?
Tell us about your Intermodal freight — origin, destination, weight, and timeline — and we will match you with a vetted, FMCSA-verified carrier. Usually within hours.
Mon–Fri 7AM–7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts