What to look for in an intermodal freight broker
Intermodal freight moves via a combination of rail and truck — typically loaded into a 53-foot domestic container or international ISO container, hauled by truck to a ramp, transferred to a train for the long-haul portion, and drayed by truck to the final destination. On lanes exceeding 500 miles, intermodal is typically 10–30% cheaper than dry van truckload, with the tradeoff of longer and less predictable transit times (usually 1–3 days longer than OTR).
Not all brokers offer true intermodal: some list “intermodal” but simply arrange truckload through carriers that own containers. The best intermodal brokers have direct relationships with Class I railroads (BNSF, Union Pacific, CSX, Norfolk Southern), own or manage container fleets, and have drayage capacity at major intermodal ramps. J.B. Hunt and Hub Group are unique in operating captive container fleets — the largest private intermodal fleets in North America.
- Ramp access — confirm the broker has drayage capacity at the ramp nearest your origin and destination
- Container type — domestic 53’ containers vs. international 40’/45’ ISO containers have different availability and pricing
- Transit time commitment — ask for estimated transit days (not just mileage); intermodal adds 1–3 days vs. OTR
- Rail carrier relationships — direct railroad relationships (vs. sub-brokering) improve reliability and dispute resolution
- Truckload fallback — for time-sensitive loads, confirm the broker can convert to OTR if rail service is disrupted