Intermodal Trucking in Chicago, IL

Market rates, top lanes, earnings estimates, and freight insights for intermodal owner-operators in Chicago.

$2.41

Rate / Mile

$20,485

Est. Gross / Month

$13,315

Est. Net / Month

Midwest

Market Region

About Intermodal Trucking

Intermodal drayage involves hauling containers between rail yards, ports, and distribution centers. Short-haul but high-frequency work, concentrated around major rail hubs and port cities.

Statewide Intermodal Overview

Intermodal rates, lanes, and regulations across all of Illinois

Intermodal Earnings in Illinois

Detailed earnings data for intermodal owner-operators in IL

Intermodal Market in the Midwest

The Midwest is the crossroads of American freight, with Chicago serving as the undisputed hub. I-80, I-90, and I-70 carry enormous dry van volume connecting coasts. Automotive parts, consumer goods, and agricultural products make up the bulk of loads. Competition is fierce but volume is massive. Carriers based near Chicago, Indianapolis, or Columbus benefit from exceptional load availability in virtually every direction.

Top Intermodal Lanes from Chicago

Chicago IL → Detroit MI

Indianapolis IN → Columbus OH

Minneapolis MN → Kansas City MO

St. Louis MO → Nashville TN

Why Chicago for Intermodal

Key Industries

Intermodal freight
Food processing
Manufacturing
E-commerce fulfillment
Automotive

Key Highways

I-90I-94I-55I-80I-88I-290I-57

Top Shippers

Kraft Heinz
Caterpillar
John Deere
Archer Daniels Midland

Distribution Centers Near Chicago

Amazon MDW2 (Joliet)

Walmart Distribution Center (Elwood)

IKEA Distribution Center (Joliet)

Home Depot RDC (Joliet)

Target Import Warehouse (Joliet)

Costco Depot (Mettawa)

Need Intermodal Dispatch in Chicago?

Compare top dispatch services for intermodal carriers operating in the Chicago, IL market. Find the right partner for your lanes and equipment.

Compare Dispatch Services

Intermodal Trucking in Chicago — FAQ

The modelled intermodal rate for Chicago is $2.41 per loaded mile. This is a regional baseline for the Midwest region adjusted for metro size — it is an estimate, not observed lane data, and real rates vary significantly by lane, broker, season, and load specifics. Check a load board for live rates before pricing a load.

Based on current market estimates, a intermodal owner-operator based in Chicago can expect approximately $20,485 gross monthly revenue and around $13,315 net after typical expenses (fuel, insurance, maintenance). Actual earnings depend on miles driven, load selection, and operating efficiency.

Top intermodal lanes from the Chicago market include: Chicago IL → Detroit MI, Indianapolis IN → Columbus OH, Minneapolis MN → Kansas City MO, St. Louis MO → Nashville TN. These lanes reflect the Midwest freight patterns and may vary by season.

Chicago sits in the Midwest freight region, and its freight base is driven by intermodal freight, food processing, manufacturing. It is served by I-90, I-94, I-55, so reloads are generally easier to find than in markets off the interstate network. Whether it works for intermodal depends on which of those industries actually ship your equipment type — check a load board for live outbound volume.

Key highways for intermodal freight in Chicago include I-90, I-94, I-55, I-80, I-88, I-290, I-57. These corridors connect to major distribution centers and freight lanes across the Midwest region.