Intermodal Freight Shipping
Rail and truck combined for cost savings on longer lanes. Reduce carbon footprint without sacrificing speed.
Intermodal shipping combines the cost efficiency of rail with the flexibility of truck. For longer lanes, moving your freight by rail for the long haul and truck for the first and final miles can significantly reduce both cost and carbon footprint.
We manage the drayage, rail booking, and delivery so the transition between modes is seamless for your team.
What you get
- Rail + truck combinations on long-haul lanes
- Lower cost than over-the-road on many routes
- Reduced carbon footprint per shipment
- Door-to-door coordination including drayage
- Reliable capacity on congested lanes
Ideal for
- Long-haul, non-urgent shipments
- Cost-sensitive freight with flexible timing
- Shippers with sustainability goals
- High-volume, repeatable lanes
How it works
We assess your lane for intermodal fit
Intermodal works best on lanes of 750+ miles. We evaluate your origin, destination, transit time requirements, and volume to determine if rail can save you money versus over-the-road.
Drayage picks up the container
A dray carrier picks up your loaded container from your facility and transports it to the nearest rail ramp for loading.
Rail haul across the country
Your container rides rail to the destination ramp — typically 1–2 days slower than over-the-road but at meaningfully lower cost, especially on east-west lanes.
Final mile delivery to your consignee
We coordinate the final dray from the destination ramp to your customer's door, completing the door-to-door move with full tracking.
What affects the price
- Lane length — intermodal savings increase with distance
- Rail ramp proximity to your origin and destination
- Container availability and current intermodal rates
- Drayage cost on both ends
- Transit time tolerance vs. over-the-road alternatives
Industries we serve
- Retail and e-commerce distribution
- Consumer packaged goods
- Paper and packaging manufacturers
- Chemicals and plastics
- Agriculture and food processing
Frequently asked questions
How does intermodal compare to over-the-road trucking in cost?
On long-haul lanes (750+ miles), intermodal typically runs 10–20% cheaper than over-the-road dry van. Savings vary by lane and market conditions — we run both quotes so you can see the difference before committing.
How much slower is intermodal than trucking?
Intermodal generally adds 1–2 transit days compared to over-the-road on the same lane. For non-urgent shipments with predictable schedules, that trade-off often makes strong financial sense. For time-critical freight, over-the-road FTL is the better choice.
Does intermodal shipping reduce carbon emissions?
Yes — rail moves freight at roughly 3–4 times the fuel efficiency of trucking. For companies tracking Scope 3 emissions or working toward sustainability commitments, intermodal is a meaningful reduction lever without sacrificing service.
What lanes work best for intermodal?
The strongest intermodal lanes in the US are east-west corridors: Los Angeles to Chicago, Chicago to New York, and similar long-distance routes. North-south lanes can also work well. We will tell you upfront if your lane is a good intermodal candidate or not.
More questions? Visit our full FAQ or contact our team.
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