Intermodal / Rail Freight Shipping
Intermodal freight uses rail for the long-haul portion and trucks for pickup and delivery. Share your route, shipment dates, equipment needs and cargo details so Logistics Worldwide can review whether intermodal service fits your timeline.
Only need a container moved to or from a port or rail ramp? Explore Drayage / Port Services. Working against a firm deadline? Get an Expedited Freight Quote.
Combine Rail Efficiency With Door-to-Door Coordination
Intermodal pairs the long-distance efficiency of rail with trucks for the first and last miles. We start with your lane, schedule and freight, then review whether rail and truck make sense together.
Rail for the Long Haul
The longest part of the trip moves by train, which can make intermodal a cost-effective option when your schedule has flexibility.
Intermodal or truckload? →Trucks at Both Ends
Drayage moves the container between your facilities and the rail ramps, so the full trip can be reviewed as one move.
How intermodal works →A Team You Can Reach
We respond within one hour during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. After-hours requests are answered the next business day.
Call 1-844-488-SHIP (7447) →Intermodal or Truckload?
Intermodal can be a cost-effective option for freight with flexible transit time and suitable origin and destination access. The best choice depends on the lane, schedule, equipment availability and cargo requirements.
| Factor | Intermodal / rail | Full truckload |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | Often considered for longer lanes, commonly several hundred miles or more | Works for short, regional and long-distance lanes |
| Equipment | 53-foot domestic containers offer capacity similar to a dry van | Dry van, refrigerated, flatbed and other trailer types |
| Weight | Weight limits can be lower, depending on the container, chassis and route | Most dry van loads are limited to about 42,000 to 45,000 lbs of freight |
| Transit time | Usually longer than truckload, with added time at rail ramps | Usually faster, with freight moving direct |
| Cost and emissions | Can be cost-effective, with lower emissions per ton-mile for the rail portion | Pricing reflects a dedicated truck for the full distance |
| Handling | Freight rides in a container through several moves, so it must be well secured | One trailer from pickup to delivery |
Need a faster or shorter move? See our Full Truckload service. Not sure which to request? Describe your shipment in the Intermodal / Rail form and our team will review the options.
Four Things That Decide Whether Rail Works
Intermodal is not right for every shipment. These factors usually decide it.
Lane and Rail Ramps
Origins and destinations within a reasonable drayage distance of rail ramps tend to fit best. Share full ZIP codes so the lane can be reviewed.
Intermodal quote form →Schedule Flexibility
Rail schedules and ramp handling add time. Intermodal generally works best when pickup and delivery dates have some room.
Firm deadline? Expedited form →Shipment Weight
Container and chassis weight limits can be lower than truckload limits. Send the total weight, including pallets and packaging.
Compare full truckload →Commodity and Packaging
Freight that can be blocked, braced and secured inside a container handles rail movement best. Describe the commodity and how it is packed.
See loading tips →What to Include in Your Quote Request
Complete details help our team review rail and truck options faster and avoid surprises at pickup.
- Origin and destination, including ZIP codes
- Requested pickup date and delivery requirements
- Commodity, weight, dimensions and handling-unit count
- Container or equipment type, if known
- Loading, unloading and appointment requirements
- Any port, rail ramp, chassis or storage details
Request Your Intermodal Quote
Send the route, dates and cargo details needed to evaluate rail and truck options. A quote request starts the review; you confirm the rate, equipment and timing with our team before anything is booked.
Prefer to talk it through? Call 1-844-488-SHIP (7447) or email info@shiplw.com.
Get an Intermodal / Rail QuoteFrom Your Dock to Theirs, by Truck and Rail
A typical door-to-door intermodal move has four legs.
Drayage Pickup
A truck brings the container to your facility, where the freight is loaded and secured.
Origin Rail Ramp
The loaded container is drayed to the rail ramp and placed on the train.
Rail Linehaul
The train carries the container over the long-distance part of the route.
Drayage Delivery
At the destination ramp, a truck picks up the container and delivers it to the receiver.
Loading Freight for Rail
Freight in an intermodal container goes through starts, stops and lifts that a truck-only move does not. A well-secured load arrives in better shape.
- Block and brace freight so it cannot shift forward, backward or sideways during rail movement
- Fill empty spaces with dunnage, airbags or load bars
- Spread weight evenly along the container floor
- Stretch-wrap or band pallets so cartons stay together
- Confirm the total weight, including pallets and packaging, before loading
Not Sure Rail Is the Right Fit?
Use the Intermodal / Rail form and describe your shipment. If truckload or another option fits better, our team will tell you.
Explore Full Truckload service
Four questions to ask before choosing a freight service
Guides for Planning Your Shipment
Practical help from our Resource Library and blog.
Drayage / Port Services
Short container moves between ports, rail ramps and your facilities.
Explore drayage →Choosing a Freight Service
Four questions that help you pick the right service before you request a quote.
Read the article →Shipping Terms Glossary
Plain-English definitions for common freight and shipping terms.
Search the glossary →All Freight Services
Compare our eight freight services and choose the right quote form.
View all services →Common Questions
Is intermodal the same as drayage?
No. Intermodal describes freight moving by more than one transportation mode. Drayage is the shorter truck movement that connects a port or rail ramp with another location.
Is intermodal suitable for urgent freight?
Intermodal generally works best when the schedule has flexibility. For a firm deadline, use our Expedited Freight quote form.
Can Logistics Worldwide coordinate door-to-door service?
Yes. Provide the complete origin and destination requirements so the full movement can be reviewed.
Does a 53-foot container hold as much as a dry van?
As a general guideline, a 53-foot domestic container has capacity similar to a 53-foot dry van, but weight limits can be lower depending on the container, chassis and route. Send your total weight so the fit can be reviewed.
How long does intermodal take compared with a truck?
Intermodal transit is usually longer than a direct truckload because of rail schedules and handling at the ramps. Timing depends on the lane, so share your pickup date and delivery requirements in the quote request.
How should freight be loaded for rail?
Block and brace the freight so it cannot shift during rail movement, fill empty spaces and spread the weight evenly. Describe your packaging in the quote request so our team can review it.
How quickly will I hear back?
We respond within one hour during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. Requests received after hours are answered the next business day.
Start Your Intermodal Quote
Send the route, dates and cargo details needed to evaluate rail and truck options, or call 1-844-488-SHIP (7447).
