Intermodal Freight
Move high-volume freight at lower cost per mile by combining rail and truck. DLS coordinates the full intermodal chain — origin drayage, rail booking, destination drayage — with every carrier FMCSA-verified before dispatch.
Get an Intermodal Quote Verify a CarrierIntermodal freight moves cargo in standardized containers that transfer seamlessly between rail and truck without unloading the contents. For shippers moving consistent volumes over 500+ miles, intermodal typically costs 15–25% less than over-the-road trucking while delivering comparable transit times on established rail corridors.
DLS acts as your intermodal broker — we source and book the rail capacity, arrange origin and destination drayage with FMCSA-verified carriers, manage all documentation, and keep you informed at every handoff point.
Why Use Intermodal Through DLS?
- Cost Efficiency — Rail moves freight at a lower fuel-cost-per-mile than OTR trucking. For lanes over 500 miles, intermodal consistently delivers savings without sacrificing reliability on major corridors.
- Reduced Carbon Footprint — Rail produces significantly lower emissions per ton-mile than highway trucking. If your supply chain has sustainability reporting requirements, intermodal is a measurable improvement.
- Verified Drayage Carriers — Every drayage carrier on your intermodal move is screened against live FMCSA data for active authority, safety ratings, and insurance before they touch your container.
- Full-Chain Coordination — Origin pickup, rail booking, container tracking, destination delivery, and proof of delivery — all coordinated through one DLS point of contact.
- Hazmat Intermodal — Certain hazmat classes can move via intermodal under specific conditions. DLS verifies DOT and AAR requirements and ensures carriers hold correct authority for hazmat container moves.
- Compliance Documentation — BOLs, EIRs (equipment interchange receipts), and delivery confirmations managed and archived for your records.
🚂 Best Lanes for Intermodal
Intermodal performs best on high-volume corridors over 500 miles: Chicago ↔ Los Angeles, Dallas ↔ Atlanta, New York ↔ Chicago, and Pacific ports to Midwest distribution hubs. Not sure if your lane qualifies? Ask us — we will give you an honest comparison against OTR cost and transit.
Verify a Carrier
Check any drayage carrier’s DOT authority and safety record before they move your container.
Get an Intermodal Quote
Tell us your origin, destination, commodity, and volume. We will match you with the right intermodal solution and respond same day.