SONAR, the freight market intelligence platform, has added intermodal rates to Rate Intelligence, giving shippers, freight brokers and carriers a new way to evaluate truckload-to-intermodal conversion potential on any lane.
Users can now view intermodal contract and spot rates, compare them side by side with van pricing, and estimate the savings per load from converting truckload freight to intermodal. On the Chicago-to-Elizabeth, New Jersey lane, for example, intermodal contract pricing runs 21.1% below van contract, about $593 per load.
At a glance
- What: Intermodal rates, ramps, trends and Conversion Savings inside SONAR Rate Intelligence
- Who it’s for: Shippers, freight brokers, 3PLs and carriers evaluating mode shifts
- Data included: Intermodal contract rates, intermodal spot rates on covered corridors, rate and volume trends
- How to access: Select intermodal as an equipment type, or drill into it from any van lane
- Available: October 2026, for Rate Intelligence users
What can you do with intermodal in SONAR Rate Intelligence?
- See intermodal pricing. View intermodal contract rates, plus intermodal spot rates where coverage is available.
- Know the resolved lane. See the resolved intermodal lane, including suggested in-gate and out-gate ramps and their distance from origin and destination.
- Compare modes side by side. Line up intermodal and van pricing across rate per mile (RPM), flat rate, fuel surcharge, and month-over-month and year-over-year change.
- Track trends. Review intermodal rate and volume trends over the last 12 months, in absolute or relative view.
- Size the opportunity. Evaluate Conversion Savings, including estimated savings per load, total lane savings, intermodal volume and conversion potential. Enter your own rate and annual volume to personalize the math.
- Work your way. Select intermodal directly as an equipment type, or drill into the intermodal view while researching a van lane.
Example: Chicago to Elizabeth, New Jersey intermodal vs. truckload
On the Chicago-to-Elizabeth lane, intermodal contract pricing runs about 21% below van contract, worth roughly $593 per load.
- Rail miles: 808 average intermodal miles
- In-gate ramp: Chicago 14th Street (Global I), Union Pacific, 1 mile from Chicago
- Out-gate ramp: Norfolk Southern ramp in Elizabeth, New Jersey, 3 miles from Elizabeth
How the modes compare
| Mode | Rate per mile | Flat rate | Month-over-month change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intermodal contract | $2.77 | $2,220.92 | +7.66% |
| Van contract | $3.58 | $2,813.88 | +9.15% |
| Van spot | $3.92 | $3,081.12 | +6.52% |
What the conversion view shows
- Savings: Intermodal contract is 21.1% below van contract, or $592.96 per load.
- Confidence: The intermodal contract rate of $2,220 sits within a $2,075 to $2,435 range, built on 46 observations over a 41-day lookback.
- Volume: 283 domestic intermodal containers support the lane, and conversion potential is rated High.
- Trend: Intermodal contract rates are up 11.55% year over year.
Figures reflect SONAR data at the time of publication.
Why does intermodal in Rate Intelligence matter?
Mode decisions no longer need a separate data source or a side spreadsheet.
- Faster answers: Compare intermodal and truckload on the same lane, in the same workflow.
- Clearer opportunities: Flag lanes where intermodal offers a real cost-saving alternative to truckload.
- Stronger conversations: Bring conversion math, not guesses, to customer, carrier and procurement discussions.
Frequently asked questions
What is truckload-to-intermodal conversion?
Truckload-to-intermodal conversion means moving freight that travels by over-the-road truck onto rail in containers, with truck drayage at each end. Shippers typically convert longer-haul lanes to lower cost per load when transit time allows.
What intermodal data does SONAR Rate Intelligence include?
Rate Intelligence includes intermodal contract rates, intermodal spot rates on covered corridors, the resolved intermodal lane with in-gate and out-gate ramps, rate and volume trends, and Conversion Savings estimates.
How does SONAR calculate Conversion Savings?
Conversion Savings compares the van flat rate to the intermodal contract flat rate on the same lane. Savings per load is the difference between the two, and total lane savings applies that figure to the annual volume you enter.
Does every lane have intermodal spot rates?
No. SONAR’s intermodal spot index covers roughly 100 high-volume corridors. Lanes outside that set show intermodal contract rates for comparison.
How do I find intermodal rates in SONAR?
Select intermodal as the equipment type in Rate Intelligence, or open the intermodal view while researching a van lane. Saved intermodal lanes are labeled with an “I.”
Who should use intermodal rates in Rate Intelligence?
Shippers, freight brokers, 3PLs and carriers use it to test mode shifts, price lanes, support procurement and bid decisions, and identify lanes where intermodal can lower transportation costs.
See it for yourself
Intermodal is live in Rate Intelligence now.
- Learn more at gosonar.com
- Request a demo
Brokerage Compliance Symposium
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
F3 Awards Dinner
The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
F3: Future of Freight Festival
Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowThe night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now