Drayage, intermodal, and cartage all describe ways containers and freight move near and between terminals, but they are not interchangeable. In short: drayage is the short truck move of a container to or from a port or rail ramp, intermodal is the full multi-mode journey of a container using rail and truck together, and cartage is the local trucking of loose or palletized freight, often within a single city. Here is how to keep them straight.
What is drayage?
Drayage is the specialized, short-distance trucking of an ocean or rail container — typically from a port or intermodal ramp to a nearby warehouse, or back. It requires a chassis to carry the container and is the critical first and last leg of nearly every international shipment. In Miami, drayage moves containers from PortMiami and Port Everglades to warehouses across South Florida. Learn more on our drayage services page.
What is intermodal?
Intermodal refers to the entire long-haul movement of a single container across two or more modes of transport — most commonly ocean to rail to truck — without unloading the goods inside. The container is the constant; the modes change. Drayage is actually a component of intermodal: the truck legs that connect the rail ramp or port to the shipper and consignee.
What is cartage?
Cartage is local trucking of freight, usually loose, palletized, or LTL cargo rather than a sealed container, within a metropolitan area. Think of moving goods from a freight terminal to a downtown business, or consolidating shipments across town. Cartage does not require a chassis because it is not moving a containerized box on its own undercarriage.
How they work together
A typical import shows all three in action. An ocean carrier brings a container to PortMiami (ocean leg of an intermodal move). A drayage carrier pulls the container on a chassis to a local warehouse. After the container is unloaded and the goods are deconsolidated, a cartage carrier delivers individual shipments around the city. An asset-based provider that owns trucks and chassis can run the drayage and local legs without re-brokering — keeping cost and visibility under control.
Why the chassis matters
Drayage and intermodal both depend on chassis availability, which is a frequent source of delay and surprise fees. Go Freight operates its own chassis pool, so container moves are not held up waiting on third-party equipment.
Frequently asked questions
Is drayage part of intermodal?
Yes. Drayage is the short truck leg that connects ports and rail ramps to shippers and warehouses within an intermodal move. Intermodal is the full journey; drayage is one segment of it.
What is the difference between drayage and cartage?
Drayage moves a container on a chassis to or from a port or rail ramp. Cartage moves loose or palletized freight locally, usually without a container or chassis.
Does drayage require a chassis?
Yes. Because drayage moves an ocean or rail container, it needs a chassis to carry the box over the road. Chassis availability is a common cause of delay, which is why some carriers maintain their own pool.
Ready to move freight smarter? Get a fast, asset-based quote from Go Freight — Miami’s AI-powered 3PL with 100+ owned trucks, our own chassis pool, and a 104,000 sq ft bonded Miami warehouse. Request a quote or call (786) 445-0150.