FreightMaths› Freight & Transportation› Intermodal Cost Calculator

Intermodal Cost Calculator — Rail + Drayage vs OTR Truckload

Compare intermodal rail + drayage cost against over-the-road (OTR) truckload for long-haul lanes. Intermodal typically saves 10–25% on lanes over 750 miles.

Quick answer: Intermodal is typically $200–$600 cheaper than OTR on 1,000+ mile lanes but adds 1–2 transit days. For non-time-sensitive freight, it's one of the best cost levers available.

🚂 Intermodal Cost Calculator

Get quote from J.B. Hunt 360, Schneider, or directly from UP/BNSF
Annual Savings vs OTR
—
Intermodal Total
—
Per-Load Savings
—

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter your current OTR rate — what you're paying per load today on this lane.
  2. Get an intermodal quote — from J.B. Hunt 360, Schneider Intermodal, Hub Group, or BNSF/UP directly.
  3. Add drayage both ends — local truck moves from shipper to ramp (origin) and ramp to consignee (destination). Typically $250–$500 each.
  4. Enter annual load count — to calculate total annual savings — the business case for mode conversion.

Worked Example

Chicago to Los Angeles, 1,200 miles. OTR $3,200. Rail $2,100, origin drayage $350, dest drayage $380. 120 loads/year.

  1. Intermodal total: $2,100 + $350 + $380 = $2,830
  2. Savings per load: $3,200 − $2,830 = $370 (11.6%)
  3. Annual savings: $370 × 120 = $44,400

$44,400/year for converting one lane to intermodal. The trade-off is 1–2 extra transit days and less scheduling flexibility. For non-time-sensitive freight like consumer goods or raw materials, this is almost always the right call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Intermodal becomes competitive at approximately 750 miles and offers best savings at 1,000+ miles. Under 700 miles, drayage costs erode the rail savings. The classic intermodal corridors (Chicago-LA, Chicago-NY, Dallas-LA) offer the best economics due to high train frequency and competitive drayage markets.

The major intermodal marketing companies (IMCs) are J.B. Hunt (largest), Schneider, Hub Group, and BNSF Logistics. You can also book directly with Union Pacific or BNSF for volume lanes. JB Hunt 360 and Schneider's online platforms provide instant intermodal quotes on many lanes.