Quick Answer: You should use intermodal shipping in 2025 for freight moving 750 miles or more, particularly on high-volume lanes, when transit time flexibility of 1-2 days is acceptable, and cargo is suitable for containerization. This strategy typically slashes FTL costs by 15% to 30% for long-haul routes while enhancing supply chain reliability and sustainability.
If you're shipping freight over 800 miles and still relying exclusively on Full Truckload (FTL), you're not just leaving money on the table; you're actively losing an average of $1,200 per long-haul shipment, potentially adding up to hundreds of thousands annually. This isn't theoretical advice; it's a cold, hard number from Loadly's Q4 2024 analysis, representing the direct cost of missed intermodal opportunities for shippers failing to adapt their long-haul strategy.
The Hidden Drain: Why Exclusive FTL Crushes Your Long-Haul Margins
For decades, FTL has been the default for many shippers, promising speed and direct delivery. But in 2025, that default mindset is a costly relic. The root cause of exorbitant long-haul FTL costs isn't just rising fuel prices; it's a confluence of chronic driver shortages, increasing ELD compliance burdens, and the hidden inefficiencies of 'empty miles.' Our internal data shows that 37% of FTL trucks run with less than 80% capacity on backhauls, a staggering waste that you, the shipper, ultimately subsidize through higher base rates.
Most logistics managers fail here because they're stuck on the traditional