Intermodal Freight Shipping
Intermodal trucking keeps your freight on track.
As one of the largest intermodal carriers in North America with over 35 years of intermodal expertise, Schneider combines rail and intermodal trucking to deliver truck-like reliability — reducing transit times by up to 10%.
As an asset-based provider, we use our own reliable tractors, lightweight chassis and containers and drivers to keep your freight on track at an added 20% capacity.
Intermodal shipping is right for you if:
- Your freight is shipped in full 53' truckload containers.
- Your shipments go to and from metro areas or across borders.
- Your shipments travel 300 miles or more.
- Security of the shipments is critical.
60+ intermodal shipping hubs
Moving freight from the busiest rail hubs across the U.S. and Mexico.
Our Intermodal solutions are built to get your freight where it needs to go. With a network of over 60 intermodal rail hubs across North America, Schneider gives you extensive coverage and flexibility. By leveraging our Intermodal transportation network, you can optimize routes for efficiency and fuel savings.
Fast Track your intermodal freight with Schneider
Schneider Fast Track moves critical freight throughout North America with reliable service and speed. Get priority loading and unloading, 24/7 tracking and expedited recovery, backed by our professional driver network. Discover how Fast Track delivers truck-like peace of mind for time-sensitive shipments.
Intermodal vs. over the road (OTR) shipping
Why shippers choose intermodal freight transport over OTR
Intermodal transportation provides ease in accessing challenging and hard-to-serve markets as compared to OTR. Satellite tracking provides total visibility and real-time monitoring. The latest security measures and double-stacked container options keep your loads safe and secure.
Reliable capacity with trusted rail partners
Leverage the strength and flexibility of CSX, CPKC and Union Pacific—intermodal rail partners known for reliability, reach and performance. Move your freight efficiently with our North America services, including:
- Transcontinental.
- Express.
- Eastern core.
- Southeast and Mexico cross-border.
- U.S-Mexico cross-border.
- Rail dray.
Intermodal shipping services for every need
Bulk Intermodal Shipping
Bulk Express Intermodal is a unique option to ship your bulk cargo faster, safer, greener, and more reliable than other modes.
Intermodal Drayage
Rail Dray services move your freight to and from the rail optimizing both your intermodal and drayage network.
Instant intermodal freight quotes
Quote and book intermodal loads with FreightPower®.
FreightPower is an online marketplace that gives you complete freight management. Register today to instantly quote and book, then get 24/7 freight visibility, access to load documents and real-time reporting.
Reduce fuel and carbon emissions
Intermodal freight that's green for your wallet and the environment.
Schneider is dedicated to reducing our carbon footprint and engaging in a sustainable trucking industry. By shipping more of your goods via intermodal, you can reduce your carbon footprint and save money on fuel.
Calculate the impact of intermodal
Payload savings calculator
Move up to 10% more product per load with our reliable, lightweight equipment configuration.
CO₂ and fuel savings calculator
Reduce emissions and boost sustainability just by using rail.
Schneider Intermodal connects you to:
The shipping services you need, when and where you need them.
Long-haul services
Short-haul and regional services
Port services
Brokerage
Cross-border services
Liquid Bulk Intermodal
Rail shipping case studies and resources
Let us do for you what we've done for these businesses
Frequently asked questions
Intermodal combines the flexibility of truckload transportation with the efficiency of rail. Schneider drivers and tractors pick up your freight in a 53-foot container and chassis, move it between customer locations and rail ramps, and handle final delivery, while the same container travels by rail for the long-haul segment of the journey.
Intermodal used to mean waiting longer. Not anymore. With more than 35 years of intermodal innovation, expertise and our own drayage fleet, Schneider Intermodal delivers truck-like reliability and can cut transit times by up to 10% on some lanes. For critical freight, Schneider Fast Track adds priority loading and unloading, 24/7 tracking and customized expedited recovery options.
Rates vary based on your lanes, freight volume, seasonality and market conditions, so the best way to get accurate pricing is with a quote tailored to your network. Intermodal generally prices below comparable over-the-road truckload on longer lanes because rail is roughly four times more fuel efficient than truckload transportation. Our lightweight, company-owned chassis and containers also let you move up to 10% more payload pounds per load. Try our intermodal payload savings calculator.
Intermodal is a strong solution for freight moving in full 53-foot containers over distances of 300 miles or more, particularly between major metro areas or across borders and requires a secure transportation solution. Dense, palletized freight on a predictable schedule performs best. Liquid bulk cargo can also move through Bulk Express Intermodal.
Schneider's primary rail partners are CSX, CPKC and Union Pacific across transcontinental, express, eastern core, southeast and U.S.-Mexico cross-border services. Our Intermodal network reaches more than 60 intermodal rail hubs across North America, including the busiest hubs in the United States and Mexico.
