Intermodal Trucking in Madison, WI

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

$2.18

Rate / Mile

$18,530

Est. Gross / Month

$12,045

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 Wisconsin

Intermodal Earnings in Wisconsin

Detailed earnings data for intermodal owner-operators in WI

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 Madison

Chicago IL → Detroit MI

Indianapolis IN → Columbus OH

Minneapolis MN → Kansas City MO

St. Louis MO → Nashville TN

Why Madison for Intermodal

Key Industries

Healthcare IT
Biotechnology
Food processing
State government
Higher education

Key Highways

I-90I-94I-39US-12US-14US-18

Top Shippers

Epic Systems
Oscar Mayer/Kraft Heinz
Sub-Zero/Wolf
University of Wisconsin

Distribution Centers Near Madison

Amazon MSN1

Certco wholesale grocery DC

UW Health supply chain

Need Intermodal Dispatch in Madison?

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

Compare Dispatch Services

Intermodal Trucking in Madison — FAQ

The modelled intermodal rate for Madison is $2.18 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 Madison can expect approximately $18,530 gross monthly revenue and around $12,045 net after typical expenses (fuel, insurance, maintenance). Actual earnings depend on miles driven, load selection, and operating efficiency.

Top intermodal lanes from the Madison 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.

Madison sits in the Midwest freight region, and its freight base is driven by healthcare it, biotechnology, food processing. It is served by I-90, I-94, I-39, 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 Madison include I-90, I-94, I-39, US-12, US-14, US-18. These corridors connect to major distribution centers and freight lanes across the Midwest region.