How container drayage works in Nashville
Nashville's main rail link is CSX, and since 2025 a CN–CSX all-rail service brings containers from Canada's West Coast ports straight into the city. Many importers still truck boxes from Memphis, Atlanta, Savannah or Charleston.
- Rail
- CSX Nashville Intermodal Terminal
- New service
- CN–CSX all-rail from Canadian West Coast ports via Memphis
- Other routes
- Memphis, Atlanta, Savannah and Charleston
- Warehouses
- Along I-24, I-40 and I-65 in six counties
More about drayage in Nashville
CSX is Nashville's main Class I railroad, and its intermodal service connects the city with East Coast ports, Chicago and the Southeast. In 2025, CN and CSX announced a new all-rail service bringing international containers from Canada's West Coast gateways through Memphis directly into Nashville, replacing a truck leg that previously carried those containers about 210 miles from Memphis.
Many Nashville importers also receive containers railed to Memphis or Atlanta and then trucked to Middle Tennessee, or trucked from the ports of Savannah and Charleston, roughly 450 to 500 miles away. Local drayage carriers handle ramp moves in Nashville and regional runs from these hubs. Warehouses and plants are spread across Davidson, Rutherford, Wilson, Williamson, Sumner and Maury counties, along I-24, I-40 and I-65.
1
Rail ramp
Railroads
CSX · CN (via Memphis interchange) · Nashville & Eastern Railroad
Main highways
I-24 · I-40 · I-65 · I-440 · I-840 · TN-386
Container terminals and rail ramps in Nashville
Where containers are picked up and returned in the Nashville area.
Rail ramp
CSX Nashville Intermodal Terminal
Rail ramp · CSX
CSX's Nashville-area intermodal operation, destination of the new CN–CSX all-rail service from Canada's West Coast via Memphis.
Automotive and manufacturing
Middle Tennessee is a major automotive region. Nissan's plant in Smyrna, GM's Spring Hill complex, and their suppliers import parts and ship vehicles and components. Battery and electric vehicle projects are adding new freight. Healthcare, music and entertainment, and consumer goods companies headquartered in Nashville also import goods and equipment. Automotive supply chains require precise timing, and carriers serving these plants follow strict schedules.
Warehouse growth along I-24 and I-65
Rutherford County (Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne) along I-24, Wilson County (Lebanon, Mount Juliet) along I-40, and the I-65 corridor north and south of Nashville have seen massive warehouse development. Retailers and e-commerce companies use Nashville to reach much of the Southeast and Midwest within a day. Traffic in Nashville has grown with the population, and I-24, I-40 and I-65 can be heavily congested at rush hour. Carriers schedule early pickups.
Choosing a rail or port route
With the new CN–CSX service, importers routing cargo through Canadian West Coast ports can rail containers into Nashville. Others use CSX service from East Coast ports or truck from Memphis or Atlanta rail ramps. Direct trucking from Savannah or Charleston can be faster for urgent freight but is costly due to distance. Local carriers can help compare total costs and transit times for each option.
Nashville's population boom and freight demand
Nashville has been one of the fastest-growing metros in the United States, with new residents, companies and construction transforming the region. That growth has driven demand for consumer goods, building materials and services, all of which generate freight.
Warehouses have spread across Rutherford, Wilson, Sumner and Williamson counties, and new industrial parks continue to open along I-24, I-40 and I-65. Retailers and e-commerce companies use Middle Tennessee to reach a large share of the US population within a day. This growth has also increased traffic congestion, and carriers serving Nashville must plan routes and schedules carefully to avoid delays.
Rail options for Middle Tennessee
For years, Nashville shippers relied heavily on trucking containers from Memphis, Atlanta or the East Coast ports. The new CN–CSX all-rail service from Canada's West Coast via Memphis gives importers another option for Asian cargo, and CSX's network connects Nashville with East Coast ports.
Shippers should compare rail options with direct trucking, considering transit time, cost and reliability. Local carriers can provide drayage from the CSX terminal and from other ramps. As rail service expands, Nashville may become a more important intermodal market, reducing the need for long truck hauls into the region.
Common lanes out of Nashville
Approximate one-way highway miles for the runs local carriers quote most often.
La Vergne / Smyrna
Warehouses and Nissan's plant along I-24.
20 mi
Lebanon / Mount Juliet
Distribution along I-40 East.
25 mi
Spring Hill
GM's manufacturing complex via I-65 South.
35 mi
Clarksville
North of Nashville via I-24.
45 mi
Huntsville, AL
North Alabama via I-65.
110 mi
Memphis
Mid-South rail hub via I-40.
210 mi
Booking drayage in Nashville: what to know
Local habits that change the price and timing of a move in Nashville. Mention them when you ask for a quote.
Ask about the CN–CSX service
New all-rail service from Canada's West Coast can avoid a truck leg from Memphis.
Plan around traffic
Nashville's interstates are congested at peak hours. Early moves help.
Match auto schedules
Nissan, GM and suppliers need precise timing. Share plant details early.
Compare Memphis and Atlanta ramps
Containers railed to Memphis or Atlanta can be trucked to Nashville. Compare with direct rail.
Drayage markets near Nashville
Many carriers that serve Nashville also run these nearby ports and rail ramps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about container drayage in Nashville, TN.