# Hub Group

> Intermodal & Freight Brokerage · Oak Brook, IL · Founded 1971

**Canonical URL:** https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/hub-group/
**Markdown source:** https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/hub-group/index.md
**Last updated:** 2026-04-27

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## Key facts

- Founded 1971 · headquartered in Oak Brook, IL
- Publicly traded — NASDAQ: HUBG
- 4,000+ carriers in network
- FMCSA broker authority: **ACTIVE** (MC-507885)
- #9 on Transport Topics Top 100 (2024)
- Gross revenue: $3.46B per Transport Topics 2024
- Primary freight modes: Dry Van, Reefer, Intermodal

## About

Hub Group is one of North America's largest intermodal and multimodal transportation companies, founded in 1971 and headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois. Publicly traded on NASDAQ (HUBG), Hub Group operates 52,000+ intermodal containers across a 29-terminal drayage network and has built one of the most comprehensive intermodal-plus-brokerage offerings in the industry. The company's Choptank Transport subsidiary specializes in temperature-controlled trucking, adding 200,000+ refrigerated/frozen carriers to Hub Group's network.

Hub Group's core differentiation is intermodal depth: the broker can move freight via rail in ways that reduce shipper costs 10–30% compared to over-the-road truckload on lanes exceeding 500 miles. Its Falcon Premium Intermodal Service provides direct routing on key transcon lanes, while its 29 dray terminals allow Hub Group to control the first- and last-mile of rail moves in-house. The company also offers a full suite of managed transportation services, final-mile delivery, and ~10 million square feet of warehousing capacity.

For shippers evaluating Hub Group, the strongest fit is intermodal or multi-mode freight — especially on Midwest-to-West or cross-border Canada lanes. Hub Group's truckload brokerage is supplemental to its intermodal core, with a smaller carrier base (4,000+) than purely brokerage-focused competitors. Shippers with high intermodal volume or needing port drayage coverage will find Hub Group among the best options in the market.

## Load types

| Mode | Status |
|---|---|
| Dry Van TL | ● Primary |
| Refrigerated | ● Primary |
| LTL | ✓ Active |
| Intermodal | ● Primary |
| Flatbed | ✓ Active |
| Air / Expedited | Limited |
| Bulk / Tank | Not offered |
| Parcel | Not offered |

Source: Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Brokerages, 2024

## FMCSA & Licensing

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| MC Number | MC-507885 |
| USDOT Number | USDOT 2233376 |
| Broker Authority | ● ACTIVE |
| Surety Bond | $75,000 BMC-84 · On File |

Verify status: https://li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov

## Coverage

All 48 contiguous states · Canada (50+ years intermodal experience) · Mexico (CTPAT certified)

**Strongest lanes:**

- Chicago → Los Angeles
- Midwest → Southeast
- Transcon intermodal (E-W)
- US → Canada rail corridors
- US → Mexico cross-border
- Port drayage nationwide (29 terminals)

## Pros & Cons

**What shippers like:**

- North America's second-largest intermodal provider — 52,000+ containers, 29 dray terminals
- Choptank Transport subsidiary adds deep temperature-controlled and reefer intermodal capability
- Falcon Premium Intermodal Service provides direct routing on key transcon and cross-border lanes
- ~10 million sq ft of warehousing + final-mile delivery for full supply chain management
- 50+ years of cross-border Canada rail and truckload experience

**Common complaints:**

- Carrier brokerage network (4,000+) is much smaller than pure brokers like TQL (110,000+) or CHR (85,000+)
- Limited air freight and expedited coverage — not the right choice for time-critical freight
- Customer service reviews cite difficulty reaching live support and inconsistent responsiveness
- Net margin not publicly disclosed on brokerage segment — financial transparency limited
- Better suited to high-volume shippers; SMBs may find onboarding slow and minimum volume expectations high

## FAQ

### Is Hub Group licensed and bonded as a freight broker?

Per FMCSA public records, Hub Group holds active broker authority (MC-507885 / USDOT 2233376) with a $75,000 BMC-84 surety bond on file. Hub Group also holds carrier authority under separate DOT registrations. Always confirm current status at li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov before tendering a load.

### What types of freight does Hub Group move?

Per Transport Topics' Top 100 report, Hub Group primarily moves dry van TL and intermodal freight, with temperature-controlled (reefer intermodal and truck) as a growing primary mode. LTL and flatbed are active. Intermodal is Hub Group's historic core and remains its most competitive service.

### How do Hub Group's rates compare to truckload brokers?

On intermodal lanes (500+ miles), Hub Group's rail-based pricing is typically 10–30% lower than comparable dry van truckload rates. On pure brokerage truckload, Hub Group is mid-market. Use ShipperGuide to compare intermodal vs. truckload rates across 50+ providers instantly, for free.

## Best for

Shippers with significant intermodal volume on Midwest-to-West or transcon lanes, cross-border Canada freight, or those needing a combined intermodal + brokerage + warehousing + drayage provider under one relationship.

## Compare alternatives

- [C.H. Robinson Worldwide](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/ch-robinson-worldwide/) — 85,000+ carriers · Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 50 states · Mexico · Canada · 120+ c…
- [Echo Global Logistics](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/echo-global-logistics/) — 50,000+ carriers · Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico (EchoX…
- [J.B. Hunt 360](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/jb-hunt-360/) — ~1,000,000 trucks accessible carriers · Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico (dedic…
- [WWEX Group](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/wwex-group/) — 85,000+ FTL; 75+ LTL carriers carriers · Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico (Monte…
- [Loadsmart / ShipperGuide](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/loadsmart-shipperguide/) — Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico · Inte…

## Sources

- Revenue and ranking: Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Brokerages (annual list)
- FMCSA licensing: li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov — broker authority status verified at publication where possible
- Reviews: G2, Trustpilot, Google Business — shipper reviews only
- Listing assembled from public records. Brokers can claim/update via directory@shipperguide.com