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Intermodal Trucking in Lincoln, NE

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

$2.13

Rate / Mile

$18,105

Est. Gross / Month

$11,768

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.

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 Lincoln

1
Chicago IL → Detroit MI
2
Indianapolis IN → Columbus OH
3
Minneapolis MN → Kansas City MO
4
St. Louis MO → Nashville TN

Why Lincoln for Intermodal

Key Industries

  • State Government
  • Higher Education
  • Manufacturing
  • Insurance/Finance

Key Highways

I-80I-180US-77US-34US-6N-2

Top Shippers

  • State of Nebraska
  • University of Nebraska
  • Kawasaki Motors
  • Ameritas Life Partners

Distribution Centers Near Lincoln

Amazon LNK1 (nearby)
B&R Stores distribution
State surplus warehouse

Need Intermodal Dispatch in Lincoln?

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

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Intermodal Trucking in Lincoln — FAQ

The modelled intermodal rate for Lincoln is $2.13 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 Lincoln can expect approximately $18,105 gross monthly revenue and around $11,768 net after typical expenses (fuel, insurance, maintenance). Actual earnings depend on miles driven, load selection, and operating efficiency.
Top intermodal lanes from the Lincoln 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.
Lincoln sits in the Midwest freight region, and its freight base is driven by state government, higher education, manufacturing. It is served by I-80, I-180, US-77, 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 Lincoln include I-80, I-180, US-77, US-34, US-6, N-2. These corridors connect to major distribution centers and freight lanes across the Midwest region.

Other Equipment Types in Lincoln

Intermodal in Nearby Markets