Intermodal moves long-haul freight smarter, and MyExpressFreight combines rail and truck to cut costs by up to 30% while lowering your carbon footprint. Through the BNSF, UP, CSX, and NS networks with door-to-door drayage on both ends, we deliver dependable intermodal capacity on transcontinental lanes nationwide and into Canada and Mexico.
Rail Efficiency, Truck Flexibility
Domestic intermodal freight combines two modes of transportation: over-the-road trucking for the first and last mile, and rail for the long-haul portion. A truck picks up your trailer or container, drives it to a rail terminal, and a train carries it across the country. Another truck takes it from the destination terminal to the final delivery point.
The economics are compelling. Rail moves freight at roughly one-third the fuel cost of trucking, and those savings translate directly to lower rates for shippers — typically 15–30% less than equivalent over-the-road truckload on lanes over 800 miles. The longer the lane, the greater the savings.
MyExpressFreight manages the entire intermodal process door-to-door: origin drayage, ramp booking, rail transit through BNSF, UP, CSX, and NS networks, and destination drayage. You get a single point of contact, a single bill, and real-time visibility from pickup to delivery.
15–30% savings vs. OTR on lanes over 800 miles
BNSF, UP, CSX, NS network access
53' domestic containers and trailers
UMAX and EMP equipment pool access
Intermodal Savings by Lane Length
Lane Length
Typical Savings
Transit vs OTR
500–800 miles
5–15%
+0–1 day
800–1,500 miles
15–25%
+1–2 days
1,500–2,500 miles
20–30%
+1–2 days
2,500+ miles
25–35%
+1–3 days
Savings vs. contract truckload rates. Actual savings vary by lane, season, and equipment type.
Why Choose Intermodal
From cost savings to sustainability, intermodal delivers advantages that compound over high-volume, long-haul freight programs.
💰
Cost Savings
Rail beats OTR on price for lanes over 800 miles
Stable rates even when trucking spot markets spike
🌿
Reduced Carbon Footprint
One intermodal train replaces over 280 trucks
Reduces freight carbon footprint by up to 75% on long-haul lanes
🛡️
Capacity Stability
Rail capacity insulated from driver shortages
Stable capacity and rates when the truck market tightens
⏱️
Consistent Transit Times
95%+ on-time performance on established lanes
Scheduled departures and arrivals for supply chain planning
📋
Door-to-Door Service
Origin pickup through destination delivery under a single BOL
One point of contact, one bill, full end-to-end visibility
📦
53' Domestic Containers
Same 53-foot size as a standard over-the-road trailer
No repackaging or repalleting required
🔗
UMAX & EMP Pool Access
Access to UP's UMAX and Equipment Management Pool (EMP)
Growing frequency as intermodal investment expands in this region
Los Angeles → Atlanta
Lower cost than OTR on this West Coast-to-Southeast lane
Consistent transit despite high truck market volatility
Los Angeles → Chicago
Highest-volume domestic intermodal corridor in North America
BNSF and UP offer frequent service with strong equipment availability
New York → Chicago
CSX and NS serve this northeast corridor with scheduled service
Meaningful savings vs congested OTR lanes
What Our Customers Say
★★★★★
"We shifted 60% of our Chicago to LA volume to intermodal three years ago. The savings have been consistent — 22–28% below our OTR contract rates — and transit reliability is excellent on that lane."
TS
Tom S.Director of Freight, Consumer Goods Manufacturer
★★★★★
"Our ESG report requires us to document emissions reductions. Intermodal through MEF has cut our freight carbon footprint by 68% on our long-haul lanes. That's real, measurable impact."
KM
Dr. Karen M.Chief Sustainability Officer, Retail Chain
★★★★★
"Last year's OTR capacity crunch pushed spot rates up 40%. Our intermodal lanes didn't move at all. That stability is worth more than just the rate savings."
RH
Robert H.VP Transportation, Industrial Distributor
★★★★★
"MEF manages our intermodal program end-to-end — drayage, booking, rail, and delivery — under one roof. Our team never has to coordinate multiple vendors. It's been transformative for our operations."
MT
Michelle T.Logistics Manager, E-Commerce Retailer
★★★★★
"Coast-to-coast intermodal from LA to Newark saves us $800–$1,200 per load versus OTR. At 120 loads per year, that math adds up fast. MEF made the transition completely painless."
GB
Gary B.Transportation Director, Big Box Supplier
★★★★★
"We were skeptical about adding 2 days to our transit. MEF showed us the actual data — 94% on-time on our lane over the past 12 months. We adjusted our order cycles and now save $2M annually."
Does MyExpressFreight offer intermodal freight nationwide and worldwide?
Yes. MyExpressFreight is a trusted intermodal freight broker serving shippers across all 50 US states and worldwide, with competitive rates, vetted carriers, and a dedicated logistics expert on every shipment.
Is MyExpressFreight a nationwide and worldwide freight broker?
MyExpressFreight is a nationwide and worldwide freight broker and full-service 3PL, FMCSA licensed and bonded since 2009, serving shippers across all 50 US states and more than 150 countries.
What types of freight does MyExpressFreight ship?
MyExpressFreight ships LTL, full truckload, ocean, air, intermodal, drayage, refrigerated, flatbed, hazmat, expedited, trade show, warehousing, and other specialty freight through a network of 4,000+ vetted carriers with a 98% on-time delivery rate.
Who does MyExpressFreight serve?
MyExpressFreight serves small businesses, startups, e-commerce sellers, manufacturers, and distributors, acting as an outsourced logistics team that handles quoting, booking, importing, tracking, and claims.
How do I get a freight quote from MyExpressFreight?
You can get an instant freight quote by calling (424) 354-3241, emailing dispatch@myexpressfreight.com, or requesting a quote online at myexpressfreight.com.
Intermodal Freight Quote
Tell us your lane and volume — we'll show you the savings versus over-the-road.
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