How container drayage works in Columbus
Columbus's inland port is Rickenbacker, where Norfolk Southern's intermodal terminal sits next to a cargo airport and a large logistics park. Trains link it with Chicago and the Port of Virginia, and warehouses line the roads around it.
- Rail ramp
- NS Rickenbacker Intermodal Terminal, since 2008
- Port rail
- Heartland Corridor to Norfolk
- Warehouses
- Groveport, Obetz, Etna and Jeffersonville
- Also
- Air cargo at Rickenbacker International
More about drayage in Columbus
Norfolk Southern's Rickenbacker Intermodal Terminal, about 18 miles south of downtown next to Rickenbacker International Airport, has operated since March 2008. The 125-acre facility, expandable to 300 acres, was designed for about 250,000 lifts a year and is part of Norfolk Southern's Heartland Corridor, with trains linking Columbus with Chicago and with the Port of Virginia in Norfolk.
The terminal anchors the Rickenbacker Global Logistics Park, served by both Norfolk Southern and CSX, where warehouses sit next to the rail ramp and the airport's cargo runways. That combination of rail, air and highway access has made Rickenbacker one of the country's best-known inland ports.
Local drayage carriers move containers from the terminal to distribution centers in Groveport, Obetz, Etna, Jeffersonville and across Franklin, Pickaway, Licking and Madison counties, and run regional moves throughout Ohio.
1
Rail ramp
Railroads
Norfolk Southern · CSX
Main highways
I-270 · I-70 · I-71 · US-33 · SR-317 · US-23
Container terminals and rail ramps in Columbus
Where containers are picked up and returned in the Columbus area.
Rail ramp
Rickenbacker Intermodal Terminal
Rail ramp · Norfolk Southern
Opened March 2008 next to Rickenbacker International Airport; 125 acres (expandable to 300), about 250,000 lifts a year, with trains to Chicago and Norfolk.
Warehouses, e-commerce and air cargo
The area around Rickenbacker and along I-270, I-70 and US-33 has one of the largest concentrations of distribution centers in the Midwest. Retailers, apparel brands and e-commerce companies use Columbus to reach much of the US population within a day.
Rickenbacker International Airport is a dedicated cargo airport, handling freighter flights and international air cargo. Some shippers combine air and ocean freight through the region. Warehouse growth has spread east into Licking County and west along I-70, where new industrial parks continue to open.
Honda, Intel and new manufacturing
Honda's plants in Marysville and East Liberty, along with its new EV battery joint venture in Jeffersonville, bring steady automotive freight. Suppliers import components on tight schedules. Intel's semiconductor project in New Albany, east of Columbus, and related suppliers will require specialized equipment imports, adding demand for careful drayage. Food, consumer goods and healthcare companies in Central Ohio also ship and receive containers.
Rail service and port connections
Rickenbacker's trains connect Columbus with Chicago and with the Port of Virginia via the Heartland Corridor, giving importers a direct rail route from the East Coast. CSX also serves the region. Some shippers truck containers from Chicago or East Coast ports, but rail through Rickenbacker is often more economical for regular volumes. Columbus's flat terrain and modern highways make local moves efficient, though rush-hour traffic on I-270 can slow trucks.
How Rickenbacker became an inland port
Rickenbacker began as a military air base and was converted to civilian use as a cargo-focused airport. Local and state leaders saw an opportunity to combine the airport with rail and highway access, and the Rickenbacker Global Logistics Park was developed with Norfolk Southern's intermodal terminal at its center.
The Heartland Corridor project, which raised tunnel clearances through the Appalachian Mountains so double-stack trains could run between Norfolk and Columbus, gave Rickenbacker a direct and efficient link to the Port of Virginia. That route made Columbus one of the best-connected inland markets on the East Coast network.
Today Rickenbacker is a model for inland ports elsewhere, with millions of square feet of warehouses, foreign trade zone benefits, air cargo and rail all in one area south of Columbus.
Common lanes out of Columbus
Approximate one-way highway miles for the runs local carriers quote most often.
Groveport / Obetz
Warehouses next to Rickenbacker.
5 mi
Etna / Licking County
New industrial parks east of Columbus.
25 mi
Marysville (Honda)
Automotive manufacturing northwest of Columbus.
45 mi
Dayton
Southwest Ohio via I-70.
75 mi
Cincinnati
Southwest Ohio via I-71.
105 mi
Cleveland
Northeast Ohio via I-71.
140 mi
Booking drayage in Columbus: what to know
Local habits that change the price and timing of a move in Columbus. Mention them when you ask for a quote.
Use Rickenbacker for East Coast imports
The Heartland Corridor links Columbus directly with the Port of Virginia. Ask your carrier about this routing.
Book early in peak season
Warehouse demand is high in fall. Reserve drayage capacity ahead of peak.
Match auto plant schedules
Honda and suppliers have tight windows. Share delivery details early.
Avoid I-270 rush hours
Early or midday moves are often faster around the outer belt.
Drayage markets near Columbus
Many carriers that serve Columbus also run these nearby ports and rail ramps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about container drayage in Columbus, OH.