Intermodal Trucking in Tacoma, WA

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

$2.39

Rate / Mile

$20,315

Est. Gross / Month

$13,205

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 Tacoma

Los Angeles CA → Phoenix AZ

Seattle WA → Portland OR

Oakland CA → Reno NV

Fresno CA → Los Angeles CA

Why Tacoma for Intermodal

Key Industries

Port logistics and drayage
Military logistics
Wood products
Manufacturing

Key Highways

I-5SR-167SR-509SR-16I-705

Top Shippers

The Northwest Seaport Alliance
Amazon
US Military (Joint Base Lewis-McChord)
Weyerhaeuser

Distribution Centers Near Tacoma

Amazon BFI4 (Fife)

Target Import Warehouse

Costco regional DC

Need Intermodal Dispatch in Tacoma?

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

Compare Dispatch Services

Intermodal Trucking in Tacoma — FAQ

The modelled intermodal rate for Tacoma is $2.39 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 Tacoma can expect approximately $20,315 gross monthly revenue and around $13,205 net after typical expenses (fuel, insurance, maintenance). Actual earnings depend on miles driven, load selection, and operating efficiency.

Top intermodal lanes from the Tacoma 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.

Tacoma sits in the West Coast freight region, and its freight base is driven by port logistics and drayage, military logistics, wood products. It is served by I-5, SR-167, SR-509, 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 Tacoma include I-5, SR-167, SR-509, SR-16, I-705. These corridors connect to major distribution centers and freight lanes across the West Coast region.