Intermodal Trucking in Seattle, WA

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

$2.58

Rate / Mile

$21,930

Est. Gross / Month

$14,255

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 Washington

Intermodal Earnings in Washington

Detailed earnings data for intermodal owner-operators in WA

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 Seattle

Los Angeles CA → Phoenix AZ

Seattle WA → Portland OR

Oakland CA → Reno NV

Fresno CA → Los Angeles CA

Why Seattle for Intermodal

Key Industries

E-commerce (Amazon)
Aerospace (Boeing)
Technology
Coffee & food
Retail

Key Highways

I-5I-90I-405SR-99SR-167SR-18

Top Shippers

Amazon
Boeing
Costco
Starbucks

Distribution Centers Near Seattle

Amazon HQ & BFI4 (Kent)

Boeing Everett Factory

Costco Corporate HQ & DC (Issaquah)

Starbucks Roasting Plant (Kent)

REI Distribution Center (Sumner)

Nordstrom DC (Cedar Rapids — regional feeder)

Need Intermodal Dispatch in Seattle?

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

Compare Dispatch Services

Intermodal Trucking in Seattle — FAQ

The modelled intermodal rate for Seattle is $2.58 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 Seattle can expect approximately $21,930 gross monthly revenue and around $14,255 net after typical expenses (fuel, insurance, maintenance). Actual earnings depend on miles driven, load selection, and operating efficiency.

Top intermodal lanes from the Seattle 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.

Seattle sits in the West Coast freight region, and its freight base is driven by e-commerce (amazon), aerospace (boeing), technology. It is served by I-5, I-90, I-405, 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 Seattle include I-5, I-90, I-405, SR-99, SR-167, SR-18. These corridors connect to major distribution centers and freight lanes across the West Coast region.