Top 10 Intermodal & Drayage Providers
US railroads moved 3.54 million intermodal containers in a single quarter — here are the ten providers actually handling that volume in 2026.
US railroads originated 3.54 million containers and trailers in the first quarter of 2025 alone — up 8.3% year-over-year and the second-highest first-quarter total on record. Intermodal trains can move one ton of freight 500 miles on a single gallon of fuel, making it one of the most cost-efficient ways to move freight long-distance. But intermodal only works if the drayage — the short truck leg connecting ports and rail yards to warehouses — is handled well too. Here’s who’s actually equipped to manage both.
1. J.B. Hunt
The largest intermodal marketing company (IMC) in the US, operating a fleet of roughly 122,000 containers and maintaining direct relationships with all major Class I railroads.
2. Hub Group
A major asset-heavy intermodal provider with substantial container ownership and long-standing rail carrier relationships, ranking among the largest IMCs by volume in North America.
3. Schneider
An asset-based intermodal provider with over 35 years of experience, combining rail and intermodal trucking using its own tractors, lightweight chassis, and containers — reducing transit times by up to 10% versus standard intermodal.
4. STG Logistics
A leading drayage specialist providing dedicated short-haul trucking connecting ports and rail yards to warehouses, filling the critical last-leg gap that determines whether intermodal service actually performs.
5. Gulf Winds
Another major drayage specialist focused on the critical port-to-warehouse and rail-yard-to-warehouse leg that most shippers underestimate when evaluating intermodal providers.
6. C.H. Robinson
A leading non-asset intermodal broker, coordinating capacity across Class I railroads and drayage providers without owning containers directly — offering flexibility across a broad national network.
7. Echo Global Logistics
A certified IMC with access to more than 350,000 intermodal containers through its carrier network, combining real-time track-and-trace visibility with more than two decades of intermodal coordination experience.
8. Sims Global Solutions
A relationship-driven intermodal and drayage provider offering a 150,000-plus carrier network, proprietary SimsTrak TMS technology, and A+ rated cargo insurance on every shipment.
9. InTek Intermodal Logistics
A non-asset intermodal provider offering door-to-door domestic and cross-border service, valued for direct relationships with Class I railroads and trucking companies despite its smaller scale relative to the largest IMCs.
10. BZS
A non-asset freight provider handling all transportation modes across the US and Canada, matching shipper capacity needs with carrier capability for greater efficiency across mixed-mode freight programs.
What This Means for Procurement Teams
Drayage capability, not just rail access, determines real service quality. Finding an intermodal provider is the easy part — finding one that also handles drayage well is where most shippers struggle, since delayed containers and missed appointments almost always trace back to the drayage leg, not the rail leg itself.
The Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger will reshape intermodal relationships regardless of outcome. UP’s federal application seeking approval for the $85 billion deal runs roughly 4,000 pages — intermodal providers with relationships spanning both NS and CSX in the eastern US should actively monitor how this shifts network access through the rest of 2026.
Asset ownership versus broker flexibility is a real strategic tradeoff. Asset-heavy IMCs like J.B. Hunt and Hub Group offer more guaranteed capacity, while non-asset brokers like C.H. Robinson and InTek offer more network flexibility — match the model to how much capacity certainty your freight volume actually requires.
FAQ
What is an intermodal marketing company (IMC)?
An IMC is a logistics provider that purchases intermodal rail capacity directly from Class I railroads and coordinates door-to-door service for shippers, since railroads themselves don’t sell intermodal service directly to individual shippers.
What’s the difference between asset-based and non-asset intermodal providers?
Asset-based providers own their own containers, chassis, and sometimes trucks, offering more guaranteed capacity, while non-asset providers coordinate capacity from railroads and drayage carriers without owning the physical equipment, offering more network flexibility.
Why does drayage matter so much in intermodal shipping?
Drayage is the short-haul truck leg connecting ports and rail yards to final warehouses — it’s where service most commonly breaks down, since it involves tight scheduling windows and local trucking capacity that can vary significantly by region.
Sources
- ShipSims, Top 10 Intermodal & Drayage Companies in the US
- InTek Logistics, Top Intermodal Transportation Companies 2026
- Journal of Commerce, Intermodal Providers
- Echo Global Logistics, Intermodal Rail