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USA Trucker Choice

Intermodal Dispatch Services

Connect Rail to Road for Steady Revenue

Why Choose Our Intermodal Dispatch

Intermodal drayage connects the rail network to final delivery points, creating a steady stream of short-haul loads in and around major rail yards and port facilities. Our intermodal dispatch team coordinates with railroads, steamship lines, and BCOs to keep your chassis loaded and your daily turn count high. We specialize in the timing-sensitive nature of intermodal — free time, per diem, and demurrage management that protects your margins.

$1.80-$2.70/mile

Rate Per Mile

$15,000-$22,000

Monthly Revenue

Key Benefits

  • Rail yard and port relationships at 30+ major terminals
  • Container availability alerts before general market notification
  • Per diem and demurrage tracking to avoid $150-300/day penalties
  • Chassis pool management and flip coordination
  • Daily load stacking — average 3-4 turns per day in major markets
  • Steamship line appointment scheduling to reduce wait times

Required Certifications

  • ✓MC authority with intermodal endorsement
  • ✓TWIC card for port facility access
  • ✓Chassis pool membership (DCLI, TRAC, Flexi-Van)
  • ✓Port-specific registration (varies by facility)
  • ✓Cargo insurance ($100K minimum)
  • ✓Overweight permit experience for loaded containers

Intermodal Market Rates by Region

Northeast

$2.86/mi

Gross Monthly: $24,310

Net Monthly: $15,802

Southeast

$2.22/mi

Gross Monthly: $18,870

Net Monthly: $12,266

Midwest

$2.41/mi

Gross Monthly: $20,485

Net Monthly: $13,315

South Central

$2.40/mi

Gross Monthly: $20,400

Net Monthly: $13,260

Mountain West

$2.40/mi

Gross Monthly: $20,400

Net Monthly: $13,260

West Coast

$2.78/mi

Gross Monthly: $23,630

Net Monthly: $15,360

Typical Intermodal Loads We Book

Import containers from port to warehouse
Domestic intermodal containers (53-foot)
Rail-to-door delivery within 100-mile radius
Cross-town container transfers between rail yards
Export loads from warehouse to port/rail
Transloading facility delivery
Empty container repositioning

Intermodal Challenges We Solve

1

Rail yard congestion and long wait times (2-4 hours average)

2

Per diem charges if containers aren't returned on time

3

Chassis shortages at major intermodal facilities

4

Port congestion during import surges adding hours per turn

5

Narrow delivery appointment windows requiring precise timing

Intermodal Dispatch by State

Select your state for location-specific intermodal rates, lanes, and regulations.

Northeast

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Southeast

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Midwest

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South Central

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Mountain West

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West Coast

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Other Equipment Types We Dispatch

Dry Van

$2.20-$3.10/mile

Reefer

$2.60-$3.60/mile

Flatbed

$2.80-$3.80/mile

Step Deck

$3.00-$4.10/mile

Hotshot

$1.80-$2.80/mile

Box Truck

$1.50-$2.40/mile

Car Hauler

$0.90-$1.60/vehicle-mile

Tanker

$3.00-$4.20/mile

Power Only

$1.50-$2.30/mile

Intermodal Dispatch FAQ

Our intermodal operators average $15,000-$22,000 in gross monthly revenue, with per-mile rates ranging from $1.80-$2.70/mile. Actual earnings depend on your lanes, hours of service, and whether you run dedicated or spot market. Our dispatch team focuses on maximizing your loaded miles and minimizing deadhead.
Our dispatch fee of 5-8% covers everything: load booking across direct shippers and load boards, rate negotiation, paperwork handling (BOLs, rate confirmations, PODs), detention and accessorial billing, 24/7 support, and load planning. There are no hidden charges — the fee only applies to loads we book for you.
To run intermodal freight through our dispatch, you'll need: MC authority with intermodal endorsement, TWIC card for port facility access, Chassis pool membership (DCLI, TRAC, Flexi-Van), Port-specific registration (varies by facility), Cargo insurance ($100K minimum), Overweight permit experience for loaded containers. If you're missing any of these, our onboarding team can guide you through the process.
We book a wide range of intermodal freight including Import containers from port to warehouse, Domestic intermodal containers (53-foot), Rail-to-door delivery within 100-mile radius, Cross-town container transfers between rail yards, and more. Our team matches loads to your equipment specs, preferred lanes, and earning goals.
Our dispatch team proactively addresses the biggest intermodal challenges: Rail yard congestion and long wait times (2-4 hours average). Per diem charges if containers aren't returned on time. Chassis shortages at major intermodal facilities. We've built processes and shipper relationships specifically to mitigate these issues for our operators.

Get a Free Dispatch Consultation

Tell us about your operation and we'll create a custom dispatch plan.

No commitment required. We'll review your information and reach out with a personalized dispatch plan.