How container drayage works in Albany
Albany combines upstate New York's largest public port with a Norfolk Southern intermodal terminal in the port district and two big rail yards nearby. Local carriers serve the Capital Region and run loads to the Hudson Valley, Vermont and Western Massachusetts.
- Port
- Port of Albany, about 450 acres on the Hudson
- Rail ramp
- NS Albany Intermodal Terminal, open 24 hours
- Rail yards
- CSX Selkirk and CPKC Kenwood
- Counties
- Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratoga
More about drayage in Albany
The Port of Albany is upstate New York's largest public port, about 124 nautical miles up the Hudson from New York Harbor, with roughly 450 acres on both sides of the river. It handles bulk, breakbulk, project cargo and some containers, and it received a $9.9 million state grant in 2024 to upgrade rail and wharf systems.
Norfolk Southern operates an intermodal facility in the port district at One Church Street, running around the clock. CSX's major Selkirk classification yard is just south of the city, and CPKC's Kenwood Yard sits next to the port. The Albany Port Railroad switches cars between the port and these railroads.
Local drayage carriers move containers between the NS terminal, the port and customers in Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratoga counties, and run regional moves to the Hudson Valley, Vermont and Western Massachusetts.
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Marine terminal
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Rail ramp
Railroads
Norfolk Southern · CSX · CPKC · Albany Port Railroad
Main highways
I-87 · I-90 · I-88 · I-787 · US-9 · US-20
Container terminals and rail ramps in Albany
Where containers are picked up and returned in the Albany area.
Marine terminal
Rail ramp
Port of Albany
Marine terminal · Albany Port District Commission
Upstate New York's largest public port, about 450 acres on both sides of the Hudson; bulk, breakbulk, project cargo and some containers.
Albany Intermodal Terminal
Rail ramp · Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern intermodal facility in the Port of Albany district at One Church Street, open 24/7.
Capital Region industry and distribution
The Capital Region has a diverse economy, including semiconductors, clean energy, government, healthcare and food processing. GlobalFoundries' chip plant in Malta, offshore wind component manufacturing at the Port of Albany and other projects import heavy equipment and materials.
Distribution centers along I-87 (the Northway), I-90 and I-88 serve upstate New York and New England. Some receive containers by rail through Albany, while others get freight trucked from the Port of New York and New Jersey, about 150 miles south. Project cargo, such as turbine components and industrial equipment, often moves through the port and may require specialized trailers and permits.
Routes and weather
Interstates 87 and 90 meet in Albany, connecting the city with New York City, Montreal, Buffalo and Boston. I-88 runs southwest to Binghamton. Winter in the Capital Region brings heavy snow and cold, especially north toward the Adirondacks. Carriers plan for storms and slower travel. Traffic is moderate, but construction on major highways can cause delays.
Rail and port options
Albany shippers can choose between trucking containers from New York and New Jersey, using rail to Albany via Norfolk Southern, or using the Port of Albany for breakbulk and project cargo. Each option has different costs and transit times. With three railroads nearby, Albany offers flexible rail connections to Canada, the Midwest and the Northeast. Local carriers can help compare routes and handle both rail and port drayage.
Offshore wind and the Port of Albany's new role
The Port of Albany has been transformed by New York's push into offshore wind. The port district's Beacon Island site on the Hudson River in Bethlehem was developed to manufacture wind turbine towers and components, making Albany a key supplier to offshore wind projects off the Atlantic coast.
That industry brings in large volumes of steel, components and project cargo, some of it in containers and much of it as oversized breakbulk. Drayage carriers with flatbeds, specialized trailers and permits play a central role in moving these materials between the port, rail yards and fabrication sites.
Alongside wind energy, the port continues to handle grain, scrap metal, aggregates and general cargo, and its proximity to the CSX, CPKC and Norfolk Southern networks gives shippers multiple ways to reach inland markets.
Common lanes out of Albany
Approximate one-way highway miles for the runs local carriers quote most often.
Schenectady
Manufacturing and distribution via I-90.
20 mi
Saratoga / Malta
Semiconductor manufacturing via the Northway.
30 mi
Pittsfield, MA
Western Massachusetts via I-90.
40 mi
Glens Falls
Northern Capital Region via I-87.
50 mi
Syracuse
Central New York via I-90.
145 mi
Port of New York / New Jersey
Long-haul port drayage via I-87.
150 mi
Booking drayage in Albany: what to know
Local habits that change the price and timing of a move in Albany. Mention them when you ask for a quote.
Confirm rail terminal
Norfolk Southern's terminal is in the port district. Check your rail notice for the correct location.
Plan project cargo
Heavy and oversized loads through the port need permits and specialized equipment.
Compare with New York/New Jersey
Rail to Albany may cost less than trucking from the downstate ports for steady volumes.
Prepare for winter
Snow can slow travel, especially north on I-87. Allow extra time.
Drayage markets near Albany
Many carriers that serve Albany also run these nearby ports and rail ramps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about container drayage in Albany, NY.