Intermodal Trucking in Sacramento, CA

Market rates, top lanes, earnings estimates, and freight insights for intermodal owner-operators in Sacramento.

$2.43

Rate / Mile

$20,655

Est. Gross / Month

$13,426

Est. Net / Month

West Coast

Market Region

About Intermodal Trucking

Intermodal drayage involves hauling containers between rail yards, ports, and distribution centers. Short-haul but high-frequency work, concentrated around major rail hubs and port cities.

Statewide Intermodal Overview

Intermodal rates, lanes, and regulations across all of California

Intermodal Earnings in California

Detailed earnings data for intermodal owner-operators in CA

Intermodal Market in the West Coast

West Coast dry van rates are bolstered by port-driven import freight from Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, and Seattle-Tacoma. The sheer volume of containerized imports creates consistent outbound demand, especially eastbound loads. Rates tend to be higher than the national average due to operating costs and the imbalance between inbound (import) and outbound freight. California's regulatory environment adds compliance costs but also limits competition.

Top Intermodal Lanes from Sacramento

Los Angeles CA → Phoenix AZ

Seattle WA → Portland OR

Oakland CA → Reno NV

Fresno CA → Los Angeles CA

Why Sacramento for Intermodal

Key Industries

Government
Agriculture & food processing
Healthcare
Distribution & logistics
Technology

Key Highways

I-5I-80US-50CA-99I-80 Business (Capital City Freeway)CA-160

Top Shippers

Blue Diamond Growers
Amazon
Raley's Supermarkets
Campbell Soup (Sacramento plant)

Distribution Centers Near Sacramento

Amazon SMF1 (Sacramento)

Amazon SMF3 (West Sacramento)

Raley's Distribution Center

Target DC (Woodland)

Need Intermodal Dispatch in Sacramento?

Compare top dispatch services for intermodal carriers operating in the Sacramento, CA market. Find the right partner for your lanes and equipment.

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Intermodal Trucking in Sacramento — FAQ

The modelled intermodal rate for Sacramento is $2.43 per loaded mile. This is a regional baseline for the West Coast region adjusted for metro size — it is an estimate, not observed lane data, and real rates vary significantly by lane, broker, season, and load specifics. Check a load board for live rates before pricing a load.

Based on current market estimates, a intermodal owner-operator based in Sacramento can expect approximately $20,655 gross monthly revenue and around $13,426 net after typical expenses (fuel, insurance, maintenance). Actual earnings depend on miles driven, load selection, and operating efficiency.

Top intermodal lanes from the Sacramento market include: Los Angeles CA → Phoenix AZ, Seattle WA → Portland OR, Oakland CA → Reno NV, Fresno CA → Los Angeles CA. These lanes reflect the West Coast freight patterns and may vary by season.

Sacramento sits in the West Coast freight region, and its freight base is driven by government, agriculture & food processing, healthcare. It is served by I-5, I-80, US-50, so reloads are generally easier to find than in markets off the interstate network. Whether it works for intermodal depends on which of those industries actually ship your equipment type — check a load board for live outbound volume.

Key highways for intermodal freight in Sacramento include I-5, I-80, US-50, CA-99, I-80 Business (Capital City Freeway), CA-160. These corridors connect to major distribution centers and freight lanes across the West Coast region.