How container drayage works in Chicago
Chicago handles more intermodal freight than any US city, with more than a dozen rail ramps run by six railroads. The first question for any move is which ramp the container is at, and many boxes are trucked across town from one railroad to another.
- Western railroads
- BNSF and Union Pacific, from the West Coast ports
- Eastern railroads
- Norfolk Southern and CSX, from the East Coast
- Biggest ramps
- BNSF Elwood and UP Joliet in Will County
- Specialty
- Cross-town 'rubber-wheel' interchange between railroads
More about drayage in Chicago
No US city handles more intermodal freight than Chicago. Containers from the West Coast ports arrive on BNSF and Union Pacific; boxes from the East Coast come in on Norfolk Southern and CSX; and Canadian National and CPKC link Chicago with Canada, the Gulf and Mexico.
Each railroad has its own ramps, spread from the South Side and the western suburbs to Joliet and Elwood, so the first question for any Chicago drayage move is which ramp the container is at.
The biggest facilities sit on the metro's edges. BNSF's Logistics Park Chicago in Elwood and Union Pacific's Global IV in Joliet anchor the I-55 and I-80 warehouse corridor in Will County, while older ramps such as BNSF Cicero and Corwith, UP Global II in Northlake, Norfolk Southern's 47th Street, 63rd Street, Landers and Calumet yards, and CSX's Bedford Park and 59th Street terminals serve the city and inner suburbs.
Because eastern and western railroads do not run through Chicago as a single network, many containers must be trucked from one railroad's ramp to another's to continue their trip. This cross-town or 'rubber-wheel' interchange is a large and specialized part of Chicago drayage, with its own pricing and tight time windows.
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Rail ramps
Railroads
BNSF · Union Pacific · Norfolk Southern · CSX · CN · CPKC · Belt Railway of Chicago · Indiana Harbor Belt
Main highways
I-55 · I-80 · I-90 / I-94 · I-290 · I-294 · I-355 · I-88 · I-57
Container terminals and rail ramps in Chicago
Where containers are picked up and returned in the Chicago area.
Rail ramp
BNSF Logistics Park Chicago (Elwood)
Rail ramp · BNSF
BNSF's largest Chicago-area ramp in Elwood, surrounded by Will County distribution centers along I-55 and I-80.
Global IV (Joliet)
Rail ramp · Union Pacific
Union Pacific's modern ramp in Joliet, serving the Will County warehouse market.
Global II (Northlake)
Rail ramp · Union Pacific
Union Pacific ramp in Northlake, west of the city near I-290 and I-294.
BNSF Cicero
Rail ramp · BNSF
BNSF ramp in Cicero on the near west side, close to I-55 and I-290.
BNSF Corwith
Rail ramp · BNSF
BNSF ramp on Chicago's southwest side near the Stevenson Expressway.
47th Street Terminal
Rail ramp · Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern ramp on the South Side near the Dan Ryan Expressway.
Landers Terminal
Rail ramp · Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern ramp on the southwest side; also linked to Georgetown, Kentucky.
Calumet Terminal
Rail ramp · Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern ramp on the far South Side near the Indiana line.
Bedford Park Terminal
Rail ramp · CSX
CSX's main Chicago intermodal ramp in Bedford Park near Midway Airport.
Harvey Intermodal Terminal
Rail ramp · CN
CN ramp in Harvey, south of Chicago, with links to Canada, the Gulf and Mexico.
Bensenville Intermodal Terminal
Rail ramp · CPKC
CPKC ramp near O'Hare in Bensenville, linking Chicago with Canada and the CPKC network.
Will County, the I-55 corridor and the suburbs
Will County, southwest of the city, has become one of the largest inland distribution markets in the world. Around Elwood, Joliet, Minooka and Romeoville, massive warehouses sit next to BNSF's and Union Pacific's intermodal ramps, so containers can travel just a few miles from train to dock. Interstates 55, 80 and 355 tie the area into the rest of the metro.
Other warehouse clusters stretch along I-90 and I-88 to the west and northwest, near O'Hare in Elk Grove Village and Bensenville, and south toward the Indiana line along I-94 and I-80/94. Each corridor has its own preferred ramps, and a carrier based near one cluster may price moves in another higher because of travel time.
Traffic and construction on the Dan Ryan, Stevenson, Eisenhower and Kennedy expressways can turn short moves into long ones, and carriers often schedule early or late pickups to avoid peak congestion.
Cross-town interchange and storage
Cross-town drayage moves containers between eastern and western railroads, for example from a BNSF ramp to a Norfolk Southern ramp. These moves are usually short in distance but must meet both railroads' cutoffs, and delays can cause containers to miss trains. Carriers that specialize in cross-town work know each ramp's procedures and keep close contact with dispatchers.
Railroads charge storage on containers left at ramps past free time, and Chicago's ramps can be strict. When volumes surge, ramps may be congested and drivers can wait in long lines, so carriers that have good relationships and flexible schedules can save shippers money.
Chicago also has many container yards and chassis depots where empties and chassis are stored. Carriers often need to pick up chassis or return empties to these locations rather than the ramp, which adds stops to the job.
Winter weather and seasonal peaks
Winter storms, extreme cold and lake-effect snow can slow rail operations and trucking in Chicago. Rail delays during winter can cause containers to arrive in bunches, leading to congestion at ramps once trains catch up.
Peak season for imports, typically late summer through fall, brings heavy volumes from West Coast ports, and Chicago ramps can become crowded. Shippers who plan ahead and book carriers early are more likely to avoid storage charges and missed deliveries. Cold weather also affects cargo. Freeze-sensitive goods need heated equipment or careful timing in winter, and some carriers offer protective service during cold snaps.
Common lanes out of Chicago
Approximate one-way highway miles for the runs local carriers quote most often.
Northwest Indiana
Steel, chemicals and distribution along I-80/94.
30 mi
Will County (Joliet / Elwood)
From city ramps to the largest warehouse corridor.
40 mi
Milwaukee
Wisconsin manufacturing via I-94.
90 mi
Indianapolis
Indiana distribution via I-65.
185 mi
Detroit
Michigan auto and industrial freight via I-94.
280 mi
St. Louis
Missouri and southern Illinois via I-55.
300 mi
Booking drayage in Chicago: what to know
Local habits that change the price and timing of a move in Chicago. Mention them when you ask for a quote.
Know your railroad and ramp
Chicago has more than a dozen ramps. Give the carrier the railroad, ramp name and container number from the rail notice.
Use cross-town specialists
If your container changes railroads in Chicago, use a carrier experienced in cross-town interchange to meet both railroads' cutoffs.
Avoid ramp storage
Railroads charge storage after free time. Book carriers before trains arrive, especially in peak season.
Plan for winter
Snow and cold can delay trains and trucks. Protect freeze-sensitive goods and allow extra time.
Price by corridor
A carrier near Elwood may be cheaper for Will County than one based near O'Hare. Ask carriers that work your corridor.
Drayage markets near Chicago
Many carriers that serve Chicago also run these nearby ports and rail ramps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about container drayage in Chicago, IL.