Service Options
- BNSF has two distinct levels of intermodal service, depending on whether you need to stress speed or cost-efficiency.
Expedited Service
> Fastest intermodal service in the industry
> Transit averages 800 miles per day
> Trailer and container, Domestic only
Standard Service
> Sustainable solution for price-sensitive shippers
> Transit averages 600 miles per day
> Container only, International and Domestic
Close
Speed & Reliability
- Utilizing BNSF Intermodal allows you to continue to serve your customers with the reliability and speed they expect.
- BNSF is the fastest intermodal network in the industry, providing speeds that meet or even exceed single-driver, over-the-road transit times.
- Even the most service-sensitive shippers rely on BNSF. The nation's top LTL, refrigerated and parcel carriers rely on BNSF Next Generation Intermodal solutions to move nearly a million shipments each year — on time and damage-free.
- BNSF is best-in-class for safe and damage-free shipments.
Close
Economic Benefits of Intermodal
- Using BNSF for the long haul and your fleet for pick-up and deliveries reduces the wear and tear on your equipment and allows your drivers to more easily comply with CSA Regulations.
- Keeping your drivers closer to home can boost driver retention.
- Tapping into BNSF’s vast network also allows you to reach new markets and grow your business without adding new equipment.
- Incorporating intermodal services allows you to take a multi-faceted approach to your service offerings, focusing more trucks and drivers on regional services.
- Trust in BNSF and our asset-based carrier partners. Shippers using BNSF Next Generation Intermodal enjoy 95% or better on-time performance on door-to-door deliveries.
Close
Driver-Friendly Facilities
- BNSF's intermodal network has some of the most efficient and modern intermodal hub facilities in the industry.
- Automated Gate Systems (AGS) technology enables drivers to enter BNSF's secured Intermodal facility, drop-off the equipment (shipment), pick-up another shipment and depart the facility usually within 30 Minutes. All of BNSF's largest Intermodal facilities are equipped with AGS.
- BNSF has 30 strategically located intermodal facilities.
- See our Intermodal Facility Guide.
Close
A Greener Solution
- Rail is by far the most environmentally friendly mode of surface transportation.
- Shipping by rail reduces emissions, saves fuel and relieves highway congestion.
- Shipping by BNSF Intermodal can help reduce your carbon emissions by 40-60%.
- Intermodal trains are twice as fuel efficient as trucks.
- A typical intermodal train takes the equivalent of 280 trucks off the highways.
- Freight railroads transport over 43% of the nation’s freight volume, but account for just 2.1% of all transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.
LA-Chicago: Reduce emissions by 62%
Containers by Train
> 1 train carrying 256 shipments
> 2,200 rail miles
> 420 metric tons CO2e
Containers by Truck
> 256 trucks
> 2,015 highway miles
> 1,113 metric tons CO2e
Close
