How container drayage works in Chippewa Falls
CN's Chippewa Falls terminal gives western Wisconsin its own rail-to-truck container hub, with a grain transfer facility that loads bulk grain and soybeans straight into containers. Trains connect with Chicago, Canada's ports and the Gulf.
- Rail ramp
- CN Chippewa Falls Intermodal Terminal
- Special feature
- On-site grain transfer into containers
- Routes
- Chicago, Canadian ports and the Gulf
- Counties
- Chippewa, Eau Claire and Dunn
More about drayage in Chippewa Falls
CN opened its intermodal terminal at Chippewa Falls Yard to give the region its own rail-to-truck hub. The terminal sits on an 8.5-acre site with a 2,500-foot loading and unloading track and a grain transfer facility, offering Wisconsin and Minnesota shippers new options to ship and receive containerized goods.
Containers move on CN's network, which connects with Chicago, Canada's ports and the Gulf. The grain transfer facility allows bulk grain and soybeans to be loaded into containers on site, making it practical for agricultural exporters. Local drayage carriers move containers between the terminal and customers in Chippewa, Eau Claire, Dunn and nearby counties.
1
Rail ramp
Railroads
CN · Union Pacific
Main highways
US-53 · I-94 · WI-29 · WI-124 · US-12
Container terminals and rail ramps in Chippewa Falls
Where containers are picked up and returned in the Chippewa Falls area.
Rail ramp
CN Chippewa Falls Intermodal Terminal
Rail ramp · CN
8.5-acre terminal at CN's Chippewa Falls Yard with a 2,500-foot loading track and a grain transfer facility.
Agriculture and food
Western Wisconsin is dairy and grain country, producing milk, cheese, corn and soybeans. Containerized grain and soybean exports benefit from the terminal's transfer facility. Dairy and food processors ship products nationwide and abroad, some in refrigerated containers. Harvest seasons bring peaks in demand for containers and drayage.
Manufacturing in the Chippewa Valley
Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls have manufacturing in electronics, plastics, food and industrial products. Some companies import components and export finished goods in containers. The terminal reduces the need to truck containers to Chicago or the Twin Cities, saving time and costs. Healthcare and technology companies in Eau Claire also generate freight.
Winter and routes
Wisconsin winters are cold and snowy, and carriers plan for storms and slower travel. Spring brings seasonal weight restrictions on some rural roads. US-53 connects Chippewa Falls with Eau Claire and I-94, which runs west to the Twin Cities and east to Madison and Milwaukee. Distances to major hubs are long, so many carriers combine local drayage with regional trucking.
Why western Wisconsin needed its own terminal
Before CN opened its Chippewa Falls terminal, shippers in western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota had to truck containers to Chicago or the Twin Cities to reach the rail network. For grain and soybean exporters, that added significant cost and made it harder to compete in Asian markets.
The new terminal brought container service to the Chippewa Valley, and its grain transfer facility allows bulk commodities to be loaded directly into containers. That makes it practical for farmers and grain companies to ship identity-preserved crops overseas. Local manufacturers also benefit, using the terminal to import components and export products without long truck hauls.
The Chippewa Valley economy
Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire form the core of the Chippewa Valley, a region with a mix of agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare and education. Dairy farming remains important, and food processors produce cheese and other dairy products. Manufacturers in the area make electronics, plastics, food products and industrial equipment, and some have national and international customers.
The region's location on I-94 between the Twin Cities and Madison makes it a convenient base for regional distribution as well.
Common lanes out of Chippewa Falls
Approximate one-way highway miles for the runs local carriers quote most often.
Eau Claire
Regional hub via US-53.
12 mi
Menomonie
Dunn County via I-94.
30 mi
Wausau
Central Wisconsin via WI-29.
95 mi
Minneapolis / St. Paul
Twin Cities via I-94.
100 mi
Madison
Southern Wisconsin via I-94.
175 mi
Chicago
Major rail hub via I-94.
330 mi
Booking drayage in Chippewa Falls: what to know
Local habits that change the price and timing of a move in Chippewa Falls. Mention them when you ask for a quote.
Use the grain transfer
Bulk grain and soybeans can be loaded into containers at the terminal. Ask about scheduling.
Confirm CN routing
Check that your container is billed to CN Chippewa Falls.
Prepare for winter
Snow and cold can slow deliveries. Allow extra time.
Check spring load limits
Some rural roads have seasonal weight restrictions. Plan heavy moves carefully.
Drayage markets near Chippewa Falls
Many carriers that serve Chippewa Falls also run these nearby ports and rail ramps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about container drayage in Chippewa Falls, WI.