Container Drayage

Rushmore Transportation moves import and export containers between the Chicago rail ramps and warehouses across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa. We run company tractors with company drivers, we own our 20’/40′ and tri-axle chassis, and our dispatch team in Franklin Park tracks last free day so your container does not sit at the ramp accruing storage. Base rates by ZIP code are published on our rate sheet.

Who we work with

Freight forwarders and NVOCCs who need a Chicago trucker they can hand a booking to. Customs brokers releasing containers on a deadline. Importers and exporters with their own contracts. Warehouses and receivers that need a delivery window they can staff for.

What we move

20′, 40′ and 45′ dry containers, refrigerated containers, and overweight containers on our own tri-axle chassis for Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa. Local, regional and over-the-road container drayage from one dispatch.

Chicago rail ramps we serve

Company trucks and chassis cover the BNSF, Union Pacific, CN, CPKC, Norfolk Southern and CSX intermodal ramps in the Chicago area. Partner carriers cover the other US ports and ramps. Our Chicago rail ramps guide explains what to expect at each terminal.

Equipment and drivers

Rushmore owns and operates its own fleet of trucks and private 20’/40′ and tri-axle chassis. Owning the chassis means your container is not waiting on a pool chassis at the ramp, and a tri-axle is on hand for heavy boxes.

How a move works

1. Send us the booking: container number, steamship line, ramp, delivery address, cargo weight, last free day, and whether the receiver unloads live or wants the container dropped.
2. We confirm the rate from the sheet or quote the lane, and set the delivery appointment.
3. We pull the container, deliver it, and return the empty to the location the line specifies.
4. You receive the proof of delivery, and any accessorials are billed per the published rate sheet.

Pre-pulls, chassis, live unload or drop

If the receiver cannot take the container before last free day, we pre-pull it on weekdays or weekends and deliver on their date, which avoids rail storage charges. Chassis usage, pre-pulls, detention and layover are all on the rate sheet, so there are no surprise lines on the invoice. New to these charges? Read our line-by-line accessorial guide and when a pre-pull makes sense.

What we need to quote

Ramp or pickup point, delivery ZIP, container size, cargo weight, commodity, number of containers, first available date and last free day, and live unload or drop. Send what you have and we will ask for the rest. Email dispatch@rushmoretrans.com or call (312) 238-9395.

– Company assets for Chicago rail ramps serving the Midwest
– Partner coverage at all ports and ramps
– Dry and Refrigerated capabilities
– Overweight moves for Illinois/Indiana/Wisconsin/Iowa
– Minimize demurrage and detention charges. Our team proactively manages ETA and ramp LFD along with SSL free time.
– Weekday and Weekend prepull service to pull containers from ramp to avoid storage charges for receivers with complex receiving schedules.