Introduction
Millions of containers move annually across US rail corridors, port terminals, and highway networks — and picking the wrong logistics partner for those moves can cost you more than money. Delayed containers, missed appointments, and poor drayage coverage create ripple effects across your entire supply chain.
Finding an intermodal provider is the easy part. Finding one that also handles drayage well is where most shippers struggle. Intermodal moves freight cost-effectively over long distances via rail, but drayage — the short-haul truck leg connecting ports and rail yards to warehouses — is where service breaks down most often.
Getting both right from a single provider is the real differentiator.
The scale of this market makes the stakes clear. According to the Association of American Railroads, US railroads originated 3.54 million containers and trailers in Q1 2025 alone — up 8.3% year over year, the second-highest first-quarter total on record. That volume demands capable, reliable partners.
This guide breaks down the top 10 intermodal and drayage companies in the US to help you evaluate which provider fits your freight profile — not just your budget.
Key Takeaways
- Intermodal combines truck and rail to cut costs on long-haul lanes; drayage handles the short first- and last-mile truck legs between ports, rail ramps, and warehouses.
- The top providers span asset-heavy IMCs (J.B. Hunt, Hub Group), drayage specialists (STG Logistics, Gulf Winds), non-asset brokers (C.H. Robinson), and hybrid multi-modal providers (Sims Global Solutions).
- Fleet size and brand recognition matter less than operational fit, terminal proximity, and dedicated account support.
- Sims Global Solutions covers intermodal and drayage through a 150,000+ carrier network, its SimsTrak TMS, and a dedicated ops team.
What Are Intermodal and Drayage Services?
Intermodal transportation moves freight via two or more transport modes — typically truck to rail to truck — using standardized containers that transfer without unloading cargo. The rail leg drives the cost savings, while the truck legs handle pickup and delivery. As the AAR notes, intermodal connects rail with truck or water transport at terminals, creating a seamless chain for long-distance freight movement.
Drayage is the short-distance truck movement connecting container shipping nodes — seaports, rail ramps, intermodal yards — to warehouses or final destinations. Though a subset of intermodal, drayage is often procured separately and requires distinct provider expertise — particularly around terminal access and chassis management.
The distinction matters for vendor selection. A provider with strong intermodal rail contracts can still fail you at the port if their drayage network is thin. Shippers increasingly need partners who handle both sides of the equation:
- Intermodal coverage: contracted rail lanes, terminal relationships, container availability
- Drayage depth: port access, chassis management, last-mile delivery to warehouses
Top 10 Intermodal and Drayage Companies in the US
These providers were selected based on market presence, network depth, service reliability, technology capability, and suitability across shipper sizes — from Fortune 500 enterprises to mid-market businesses.
1. Sims Global Solutions
Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Lenexa, KS, Sims Global Solutions is a TIA Member Performance Certified multi-modal logistics provider offering intermodal, drayage, truckload, LTL, expedited, warehousing, fulfillment, and heavy haul — serving businesses from Fortune 100 companies to SMBs nationwide.
Sims accesses a network of 150,000+ vetted carriers through a proprietary 30-point carrier vetting process and operates the SimsTrak TMS with real-time GPS tracking and a fully integrated CRM. For heavy haul and specialized moves, Sims also runs its own asset-based carrier, Kodiak Freight, giving it direct control over trucks and capacity beyond what a pure brokerage can offer.
Warehousing coverage spans 33 million sq. ft. across 96 locations in 48 markets. Intermodal services include cross-country domestic, cross-border, and port drayage, with same-day pickup options and real-time status updates throughout.
Unlike asset-heavy national carriers, Sims assigns a dedicated operations team to each account — giving shippers direct access to people who know their freight, not a rotating support queue.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Services Offered | Intermodal, drayage, truckload, LTL, expedited, warehousing, fulfillment, heavy haul |
| Key Differentiator | SimsTrak TMS + real-time GPS tracking; 150,000+ carrier network; 30-point carrier vetting; TIA Member Performance Certified; dedicated operations team |
| Best For | Businesses of all sizes seeking a tech-enabled, relationship-first multi-modal provider with intermodal and drayage capabilities |
2. J.B. Hunt Transport Services
Founded in 1961 in Stuttgart, Arkansas, J.B. Hunt has established itself as the intermodal market leader in North America and a consistent Fortune 500 company (ranked No. 316 in 2024). Its intermodal division operates what it calls the largest domestic intermodal fleet — described as twice the size of its nearest competitor, with more than 122,000 containers, over 103,000 chassis, and a dray fleet of more than 6,500 trucks.
The J.B. Hunt 360 digital platform provides real-time load matching, shipment visibility, dynamic updates, and custom alerts across all modes.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Services Offered | Door-to-door intermodal (domestic and cross-border), dedicated contract carriage, truckload brokerage, transloading, managed transportation |
| Key Differentiator | Largest company-owned domestic container fleet; J.B. Hunt 360 tech platform for real-time shipper visibility |
| Best For | High-volume shippers on established intermodal lanes; enterprise-level contract logistics |
3. Schneider National
Founded in 1935 and listed on the NYSE (ticker: SNDR), Schneider is one of the most diversified freight carriers in the US. Its most recent 10-K confirms approximately 27,000 intermodal containers as of December 31, 2024, and the company identifies itself as one of the three largest domestic intermodal providers.
Schneider competes on core intermodal corridors with flexible drayage capacity spanning both asset and non-asset options, backed by 85+ years of operating history.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Services Offered | Intermodal (domestic and cross-border), truckload, brokerage, bulk, managed transportation, transloading |
| Key Differentiator | One of three largest domestic container fleets; both asset and non-asset drayage options on core corridors |
| Best For | Shippers needing a proven, large-scale carrier with broad geographic coverage |
4. Hub Group
Listed on NASDAQ (HUBG), Hub Group operates the industry's second-largest private intermodal fleet — approximately 50,000 dry containers and 900 refrigerated containers as of December 31, 2024, per its annual 10-K filing. The company runs trucking terminals at 32 locations across the US and Mexico, offering dedicated drayage drivers alongside final-mile delivery capabilities.
Mid-market shippers with specific communication needs should evaluate service responsiveness carefully, as Hub Group's scale can mean less hands-on account management than smaller providers offer.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Services Offered | Door-to-door intermodal, dedicated truckload, brokerage, managed transportation, final-mile delivery, transloading |
| Key Differentiator | Second-largest private container fleet in the US; 32-terminal drayage network with dedicated drivers |
| Best For | Mid-to-large shippers seeking asset-backed intermodal capacity with nationwide terminal coverage |
5. STG Logistics
STG Logistics started as a warehousing firm in 1985 before becoming a dominant intermodal and drayage force. After acquiring XPO Logistics' intermodal operations in March 2022 for approximately $710 million, STG now identifies itself as the fourth-largest asset-based IMC in the US and claims to be the largest drayage provider in the country.
STG operates 15,000 owned 53-foot containers, 2,500+ tractors, and 30+ terminals serving major US port and rail gateways — enabling a port-to-door supply chain model that includes transloading and warehousing.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Services Offered | Port drayage, door-to-door intermodal, transloading, warehousing, truckload brokerage |
| Key Differentiator | Largest national drayage network in North America; strong port-to-door capabilities |
| Best For | Shippers with heavy import/export volume requiring reliable port drayage and inland distribution |
6. Gulf Winds International
Headquartered in Seabrook, TX, Gulf Winds International is a 3PL built around container drayage, transloading, and domestic freight services — with deep roots in Gulf Coast port operations. The company's technology sets it apart: gwiTrack is a customer portal delivering automated tracking, real-time status updates, and custom reporting, while gwiMove lets drivers transmit arrival, departure, and gate-status updates and supports paperless bills of lading.
For shippers routing freight through Gulf Coast and Southern ports, Gulf Winds offers specialized expertise that larger national carriers often can't match.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Services Offered | Container drayage, transloading, truckload, warehousing, domestic transportation |
| Key Differentiator | Gulf Coast drayage expertise; gwiTrack and gwiMove technology for real-time container and driver visibility |
| Best For | Shippers moving freight through Gulf Coast or Southern ports requiring real-time drayage visibility |
7. Knight-Swift Transportation
Formed through the merger of Knight Transportation and Swift Transportation, Knight-Swift is North America's largest full truckload carrier. Its intermodal segment operated an average of 12,539 containers during fiscal year 2025, supported by a separate terminal network located near rail gates for efficient container interchange.
A multi-year agreement with CPKC extends Knight-Swift's intermodal capability across single-line corridors connecting Mexico, the US, and Canada — making it a strong choice for shippers with cross-border requirements alongside domestic TL needs.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Services Offered | Intermodal (domestic and cross-border), asset truckload, brokerage, dedicated, managed transportation, refrigerated |
| Key Differentiator | Largest full TL carrier in North America with integrated intermodal capability; strong Mexico cross-border lanes |
| Best For | Shippers needing a single carrier for both truckload and intermodal with cross-border requirements |
8. Universal Intermodal Services
A subsidiary of Universal Logistics Holdings, Universal Intermodal Services operates a nationwide network focused on port and rail drayage, container management, and transloading. As of December 31, 2024, the parent company operated 52 company-managed terminal locations with 24 owned terminal yards and properties.
Universal's strength lies in container and chassis management expertise — particularly valuable for importers and exporters who deal with complex equipment provisioning at busy port terminals.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Services Offered | Port and rail drayage, intermodal transportation, container management, transloading, warehousing |
| Key Differentiator | Company-owned terminal network for drayage; specialized container and chassis management expertise |
| Best For | Importers and exporters needing reliable port drayage with strong container management capabilities |
9. C.H. Robinson
Transport Topics ranked C.H. Robinson the No. 1 freight brokerage firm in 2024 — and its intermodal offering reflects that scale. Rather than owning containers, C.H. Robinson leverages carrier relationships and technology to provide flexible, cost-competitive intermodal solutions. Its Navisphere TMS platform connects nearly 200,000 companies, providing real-time freight tracking, analytics, and transportation-spend visibility across all modes.
The non-asset model means flexibility on routing — but shippers who need dedicated capacity during peak periods may find that a limitation.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Services Offered | Intermodal, truckload, LTL, managed services, customs brokerage, ocean and air freight |
| Key Differentiator | No. 1 freight brokerage in North America; Navisphere TMS for multi-modal visibility and optimization |
| Best For | Shippers seeking a single non-asset provider for intermodal alongside broader freight management |
10. XPO Logistics
Important note: XPO sold its North American intermodal business to STG Logistics in March 2022. XPO's current position is as a leader in asset-based LTL transportation, serving 55,000 customers through 594 locations in North America and Europe. Its dominant industrial LTL terminal footprint makes it a natural fit for manufacturers whose freight profile combines LTL and intermodal needs — though the intermodal component would be sourced through carrier partnerships rather than XPO's own intermodal assets.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Services Offered | LTL, truckload brokerage, managed transportation, last-mile delivery |
| Key Differentiator | Dominant industrial LTL network with broad geographic reach; proprietary tech platform |
| Best For | Industrial and manufacturing shippers prioritizing LTL capacity with complementary freight management |
How We Chose the Best Intermodal and Drayage Companies
Providers were evaluated across five core dimensions:
- Network depth — carrier relationships, container fleet size, and terminal footprint
- Technology capability — TMS quality, tracking tools, and visibility features
- Service model fit — asset vs. non-asset, dedicated vs. pooled capacity
- Geographic coverage — national reach and proximity to major ports and rail ramps
- Shipper size suitability — whether the provider serves enterprise accounts, mid-market shippers, or both
The Most Common Evaluation Mistake
Many shippers default to the largest carrier rather than the best fit. A company operating 50,000 containers may still under-serve a mid-market shipper who ends up lost in a call center rotation. Four factors separate a good fit from a costly mismatch:
- Account management structure — when a container is held at port, do you reach a dedicated rep or a call center queue?
- Drayage terminal proximity — does the provider have driver networks near your specific ports or rail ramps?
- Pricing transparency — chassis costs, fuel surcharges, and accessorial fees should be itemized upfront, not buried in the invoice
- Cross-modal flexibility — can the provider consolidate your TL, LTL, and intermodal freight under a single account?
Smaller non-asset IMCs and hybrid providers frequently outperform large carriers on service quality — particularly on lanes where the big players lack density and accountability drops off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between intermodal shipping and drayage?
Intermodal refers to moving freight via two or more transport modes — typically truck-rail-truck — using standardized containers without unloading cargo between legs. Drayage is specifically the short-distance truck leg connecting a port or rail terminal to the next destination point. Drayage is a component within intermodal but is frequently procured separately.
Who is the largest intermodal company in the United States?
J.B. Hunt Transport Services is the largest intermodal marketing company in the US, operating more than 122,000 company-owned containers — roughly double the container fleet of its nearest competitor — alongside extensive Class I railroad partnerships.
Is intermodal shipping cheaper than full truckload?
Intermodal is generally cost-competitive with truckload on longer lanes — typically 500+ miles — because the rail segment costs less than all-road trucking. The savings advantage diminishes on shorter hauls where drayage costs represent a larger share of the total move.
What is a drayage fee and what does it cover?
A drayage fee covers the short-haul truck movement of a container between a port, rail terminal, or intermodal yard and the shipper's facility. It typically includes driver time, chassis usage, and fuel surcharges, and can vary based on distance, port wait times, and chassis availability.
What is an Intermodal Marketing Company (IMC)?
An IMC purchases intermodal capacity from Class I railroads and drayage providers and resells it to shippers as a door-to-door service. IMCs are either asset-based (owning containers and trucks) or non-asset (using railroad and carrier equipment), and act as the single point of contact for the full shipment.
How do I know if intermodal is right for my freight?
Intermodal works best for non-time-critical freight moving 500+ miles in full container loads on established rail corridors. It's not suitable for time-sensitive shipments, LTL freight, or short-haul moves where drayage cost outweighs rail savings.
Conclusion
The intermodal and drayage landscape in the US is genuinely diverse — from J.B. Hunt's 122,000-container fleet to relationship-driven providers like Sims Global Solutions. The best partner isn't the one with the biggest name; it's the one whose service model, drayage network, and technology align with your actual freight profile.
Before signing a contract, evaluate provider responsiveness, visibility tools, drayage terminal proximity to your ports or rail ramps, and whether you'll have a dedicated point of contact or be routed through a call center.
If you're looking for a provider that pairs intermodal and drayage capabilities with personalized service, Sims Global Solutions brings a 150,000+ carrier network, the SimsTrak TMS, and A+ rated cargo insurance to every shipment. Reach out today to get a quote and see how the team can reduce complexity across your supply chain.
