Drayage pricing isn’t just miles. This guide breaks down the real 2025 intermodal drayage costs-chassis, appointments, congestion, detention/demurrage, and common accessorials-so you can compare quotes accurately and avoid surprise invoices before you book.

Chicago intermodal can save money-but only if drayage, ramp appointments, chassis planning, and dwell-time tracking are handled correctly. This guide shows how Chicago-specific delays turn into demurrage, storage, and per diem fees, and shares practical steps to prevent them before they hit your budget.

Intermodal isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution-it wins when the lane is right. This post explains which distances and corridors perform best (especially 700+ mile, consistent-volume lanes), when OTR still makes sense, and how ramp access, drayage execution, and delivery flexibility determine whether intermodal delivers real savings and predictability.

When a container shows “available at ramp” but doesn’t move, the rail leg is done-drayage is failing. This post breaks down the most common ramp-delay causes (missed appointments, chassis shortages, late drivers, congestion, and paperwork errors), how those delays turn into demurrage/storage/per diem fees, and the step-by-step process to prevent loads from getting stuck in 2026.

Choosing an intermodal carrier isn’t about the lowest quote-it’s about who controls drayage, planning, ramp execution, and accountability. This guide outlines 7 red flags (vague transit times, “rail handles that,” unmanaged drayage, fee normalization, no ramp knowledge) and provides a clear checklist of questions to help you pick a carrier that prevents delays and accessorial fees in 2026.