What Is Intermodal Shipping?
Intermodal shipping uses two or more modes of transportation — typically rail and truck — to move freight in standardized containers without handling the cargo itself when changing modes.
How Intermodal Shipping Works
- Pickup (Drayage): A truck picks up the loaded container from the shipper
- Rail Terminal: The container is delivered to a rail ramp for loading onto a train
- Rail Haul: The container travels by rail for the long-distance segment
- Destination Ramp: The container is offloaded at the destination rail terminal
- Delivery (Drayage): A truck delivers the container to the final destination
Equipment Types
| Container Type | Dimensions | Max Weight | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53' Domestic | 53' x 8'6" x 9'6" | 42,000 lbs | Domestic dry goods |
| 40' ISO | 40' x 8' x 8'6" | 44,000 lbs | International imports |
| 40' High Cube | 40' x 8' x 9'6" | 44,000 lbs | Light, voluminous cargo |
| 20' ISO | 20' x 8' x 8'6" | 47,000 lbs | Heavy cargo |
Major Rail Providers
- BNSF Railway — Western US, major hubs in Chicago, LA, Dallas
- Union Pacific — Western US, strong in LA, Houston, Chicago
- CSX Transportation — Eastern US, hubs in Chicago, Jacksonville
- Norfolk Southern — Eastern US, Savannah, Chicago, Columbus
Cost Savings
Intermodal typically saves 15–40% compared to over-the-road trucking on lanes over 800 miles. See our detailed rail vs truck cost comparison.
Transit Times by Major Lane
| Lane | Rail Transit | Door-to-Door |
|---|---|---|
| LA → Chicago | 4–5 days | 6–8 days |
| LA → Dallas | 3–4 days | 5–6 days |
| Savannah → Chicago | 3–4 days | 5–6 days |
| Seattle → Chicago | 5–6 days | 7–9 days |
Best Use Cases for Intermodal
- Consumer goods and retail merchandise
- Non-perishable food and beverage
- Building materials and industrial supplies
- E-commerce fulfillment (non-expedited)
- Any freight with 5+ day delivery windows
Limitations
- Longer transit times than truck
- Risk of rail delays and service disruptions
- Limited to lanes with rail service
- Not suitable for temperature-sensitive freight (unless reefer intermodal)
Getting Started
Indray Inc operates intermodal services across all major US corridors. Our team optimizes routing, manages drayage at both ends, and provides end-to-end visibility through our CLM Platform.
Request an intermodal quote and start saving on your long-haul freight.
