DrayNow
DrayNow operates a two-sided digital marketplace connecting owner-operators with intermodal marketing companies, beneficial cargo owners, and freight brokers for first- and last-mile container drayage, covering over 90% of U.S. domestic intermodal rail moves across 20+ markets with OCR, geo-tracking, and EDI-integrated workflow tools.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersPhiladelphia, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What DrayNow does
DrayNow operates a two-sided digital marketplace purpose-built for U.S. intermodal drayage — the first- and last-mile container truck moves that connect rail yards to shippers and consignees. The company connects small-fleet owner-operators and carriers on the supply side with intermodal marketing companies (IMCs), beneficial cargo owners (BCOs), and freight brokers on the demand side, covering what the company states is over 90% of domestic intermodal rail moves across 20+ U.S. markets. Carriers access the marketplace via free iOS and Android apps to browse, book, and manage loads, while customers use a desktop platform to post freight, monitor shipments in real time, and manage documentation.
The platform's core technology stack includes real-time geo-tracking with geo-fencing and ETA computation, optical character recognition for container and chassis number capture, a street turn algorithm that matches empty containers across orders to reduce empty repositioning, paperless bill-of-lading and proof-of-delivery workflows, and native EDI 214/210 plus API integration with customer transportation management systems. DrayNow also publishes the Intermodal Spot Rate Tracker and proprietary Drayage Volatility Indexes derived from platform transaction data. The company is headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, was founded in 2017, and operates with a headcount of 11–50.
DrayNow monetizes primarily through marketplace commissions on freight-matching transactions between carriers and customers, supplemented by technology platform and managed-service fees for enterprise customers with EDI/API integrations. Carriers access the marketplace free of charge; customer pricing is quote-based and structured around multi-year contracts for contracted lanes and spot freight. The company has raised approximately $22 million across multiple venture rounds, most notably an $8 million strategic investment from Norfolk Southern in September 2023 alongside a joint venture to improve intermodal cargo tracing and drayage operations.
DrayNow firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DrayNow
- Legal name
- DrayNow, Inc.
- Website
- https://draynow.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- DrayNow operates a two-sided digital marketplace connecting owner-operators with intermodal marketing companies, beneficial cargo owners, and freight brokers for first- and last-mile container drayage, covering over 90% of U.S. domestic intermodal rail moves across 20+ markets with OCR, geo-tracking, and EDI-integrated workflow tools.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DrayNow industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Intermodal Freight Marketplace
- NAICS
- Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Support Activities for Transportation (488)
- SIC
- Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Trucking (No Local) (4213), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spot Load Boards (Open Marketplace) (TLAEAJAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Carrier Sales & Capacity Sourcing Platforms (TLAEAJAD), Shipper-Carrier Direct Contracting Networks (TLAEAJAC)
Keywords
Where DrayNow is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Philadelphia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
DrayNow business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Marketplace Commission / Transaction Fee: DrayNow operates a freight marketplace where carriers haul intermodal loads. The company earns revenue by facilitating freight-matching transactions between owner-operators and intermodal customers (IMCs, BCOs, freight brokers). The platform connects carriers who pay to access loads and/or customers who pay for drayage service and technology.
- Technology Platform / Managed Service Fees: DrayNow provides a technology platform to customers for real-time load tracking, document management, and operational workflow. The platform integrates with customer TMS systems via EDI and API.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Carrier App — Free to download and use for owner-operators to access intermodal loads |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Weekly | Direct Pay — Weekly payout with no factoring fees |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Customer Platform — Quote-based pricing for IMCs, BCOs, and freight brokers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels11 records
DrayNow product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DrayNow operates a two-sided digital marketplace that matches intermodal freight (containers needing first- and last-mile drayage) with small-fleet owner-operators and carriers. Customers — intermodal marketing companies (IMCs), beneficial cargo owners (BCOs), and freight brokers — post loads and track shipments through a desktop platform with EDI/API TMS integration, while carriers browse, book, and execute loads through a free iOS/Android mobile app. The platform adds OCR-based container capture, real-time geo-tracking and ETAs, paperless BOL/POD workflow, and a street turn container-utilization algorithm.
Product overview
DrayNow is a technology company operating the first and only Intermodal Freight Marketplace—a two-sided digital platform connecting small fleet owner-operators with intermodal marketing companies (IMCs), beneficial cargo owners (BCOs), and freight brokers. The core product portfolio consists of the DrayNow Desktop Platform (for customers to post loads and track shipments) and the DrayNow Mobile App (for carriers to browse and book loads), supported by the Intermodal Freight Marketplace. Additional offerings include the Intermodal Spot Rate Tracker (weekly market rate data), Intermodal Drayage Volatility Indexes (market measurement tools), and Carrier Video Library (educational content). Key platform features include Real-Time Geo-Tracking with ETAs, Street Turn Algorithm for container optimization, EDI Integration for TMS connectivity, ExpressNS+ QR Access, and OCR Container/Chassis Capture for automated data entry. The platform is nationwide, covering over 90% of domestic intermodal rail moves across markets including Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and others.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- DrayNow Mobile App Free mobile application for owner-operators and small carrier fleets to browse, select, and book local intermodal drayage loads on iOS and Android; includes one-tap load booking, real-time trip guidance, document upload, detention and accessorial management, and weekly direct payouts.
- DrayNow Desktop Platform Web-based desktop platform for intermodal marketing companies (IMCs), beneficial cargo owners (BCOs), and freight brokers to post spot and contract loads, monitor capacity, track shipments in real time with geo-tracking and ETAs, and manage paperless documentation, with optional EDI 214/210 and API TMS integration.
- DrayNow Intermodal Freight Marketplace The core two-sided digital freight-matching marketplace connecting small-fleet owner-operators with IMCs, BCOs, and freight brokers who need first- and last-mile drayage; provides real-time load matching, transparent pricing across hundreds of data points per load, and automated billing.
- Intermodal Spot Rate Tracker Weekly market data tool that publishes average intermodal spot rates across major U.S. markets with trend interpretation and year-over-year comparisons, helping carriers and customers make data-based pricing and routing decisions.
- Intermodal Drayage Volatility Indexes Proprietary market intelligence indexes — the DrayNow 53' Domestic Rail Intermodal Drayage Volatility Index and the Accepted vs. Non-Accepted Price Gap Index — measuring week-over-week changes in U.S. rail intermodal drayage costs and pricing gaps as a real-time capacity indicator.
- Carrier Video Library YouTube-hosted educational video tutorial library for carriers covering DrayNow app onboarding, booking loads, ExpressNS+ QR access, container capture, detention payment, chassis inspection, appointment management, and rail yard operations.
Quantifiable outcome
- Capacity coverage for over 90% of all domestic intermodal rail moves in the US
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use DrayNow
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
DrayNow technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability5 records
Feature9 records
DrayNow partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Norfolk Southern (Joint Venture)flagshipNorfolk Southern and DrayNow created a joint venture to improve intermodal tracing and drayage. This joint venture combines DrayNow's technology platform with Norfolk Southern's rail network to provide real-time cargo visibility and enhanced drayage service for intermodal customers.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
DrayNow competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- DAT Freight & Analytics: Operates the largest North American freight load board and freight analytics platform. Directly comparable to DrayNow as a digital marketplace connecting carriers with freight, though DAT covers broader truckload lanes rather than specializing in intermodal drayage.
- Truckstop.com: Major freight matching load board and factoring platform serving carriers and brokers. Comparable as a two-sided freight marketplace, though Truckstop.com's focus is broader over-the-road freight rather than intermodal-specific drayage.
- Loadsmart: Digital freight marketplace and brokerage using AI to match shippers with carriers across truckload and intermodal. Comparable technology-driven matching model, though Loadsmart spans broader freight segments and offers managed brokerage.
Broad incumbents
- CH Robinson: One of the largest North American 3PLs and freight brokers with a significant intermodal drayage desk and Navisphere TMS. Operates as a broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities in intermodal capacity sourcing, though not a marketplace-only model.
- Echo Global Logistics: Large technology-enabled 3PL and freight broker with intermodal capacity offerings. Comparable as an incumbent broker using digital tools to source capacity, though Echo serves broader freight modes beyond intermodal drayage.
- J.B. Hunt Transport: Major asset-based carrier and intermodal service provider with its own drayage operations and Integrated Capacity Solutions brokerage. Comparable as a broad incumbent participating in intermodal drayage and digital freight matching at scale.
- Uber Freight: Digital freight marketplace spun out of Uber with managed brokerage and Transplace TMS. Comparable as a tech-forward freight marketplace, though Uber Freight focuses primarily on full truckload rather than intermodal drayage.
- Hub Group: Large asset-light intermodal and logistics provider with significant drayage operations and brokerage capabilities. Comparable as a broad incumbent participating in intermodal drayage across the US, with deeper asset ownership than DrayNow.
- Schneider National: Major asset-based carrier and logistics provider with intermodal services and brokerage. Comparable as a broad incumbent with intermodal capacity and digital tools, though Schneider operates its own fleet rather than a pure marketplace.
Emerging players
- Flexport: Digital freight forwarder with technology-driven matching and visibility across ocean, air, and trucking. Adjacent comparable as a tech-forward freight platform, though Flexport focuses primarily on international forwarding rather than domestic intermodal drayage.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DrayNow social profiles
Digital presenceDrayNow financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DrayNow leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
DrayNow funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds7 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DrayNow M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DrayNow
What does DrayNow do?
DrayNow operates a two-sided digital marketplace that matches intermodal freight (containers needing first- and last-mile drayage) with small-fleet owner-operators and carriers. Customers — intermodal marketing companies (IMCs), beneficial cargo owners (BCOs), and freight brokers — post loads and track shipments through a desktop platform with EDI/API TMS integration, while carriers browse, book, and execute loads through a free iOS/Android mobile app. The platform adds OCR-based container capture, real-time geo-tracking and ETAs, paperless BOL/POD workflow, and a street turn container-utilization algorithm.
Is DrayNow a public or private company?
DrayNow is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was DrayNow founded?
DrayNow was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is DrayNow based?
DrayNow is headquartered in Philadelphia, United States, in the North America region.
How does DrayNow make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Marketplace Commission / Transaction Fee is the primary driver. The others are technology Platform / Managed Service Fees.
Who are DrayNow's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are DAT Freight & Analytics, Truckstop.com and Loadsmart. Broad incumbents are CH Robinson, Echo Global Logistics, J.B. Hunt Transport, Uber Freight, Hub Group and Schneider National. Flexport is listed as an emerging player.
Does DrayNow have an API?
Yes. DrayNow integrates directly with customers' Transportation Management System (TMS) software via EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) and API. EDI enables automated load tendering, real-time shipment status updates, and invoicing through standardized transaction sets such as EDI 214 for shipment status and EDI 210 for invoicing. Developer documentation is at draynow.com.
What industry is DrayNow in?
DrayNow's product category is Intermodal Freight Marketplace. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAEAJAA, Spot Load Boards (Open Marketplace), with a secondary code of TLAEAJAD, Carrier Sales & Capacity Sourcing Platforms. Its NAICS code is 488510 and its SIC code is 4731.