Intermodal Trucking in Thornton, CO

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

$2.18

Rate / Mile

$18,530

Est. Gross / Month

$12,045

Est. Net / Month

Mountain West

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 Colorado

Intermodal Earnings in Colorado

Detailed earnings data for intermodal owner-operators in CO

Intermodal Market in the Mountain West

Mountain West dry van operations face unique challenges from long distances between freight hubs and high deadhead percentages. Denver and Salt Lake City are the primary load origins, with Phoenix adding significant volume in the south. Carriers who can secure round-trip freight between these hubs perform well, but one-way loads into rural areas often require repositioning. The I-70 and I-80 corridors are critical arteries.

Top Intermodal Lanes from Thornton

Denver CO → Salt Lake City UT

Phoenix AZ → Albuquerque NM

Boise ID → Salt Lake City UT

Las Vegas NV → Denver CO

Why Thornton for Intermodal

Key Industries

Distribution and logistics
Healthcare
Retail
Construction

Key Highways

I-25I-76E-470US-87 (Washington St)SH-7 (120th Ave)

Top Shippers

Amazon
FedEx
Walmart
Home Depot

Distribution Centers Near Thornton

Amazon DEN5 (nearby)

FedEx Ground terminal

Need Intermodal Dispatch in Thornton?

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

Compare Dispatch Services

Intermodal Trucking in Thornton — FAQ

The modelled intermodal rate for Thornton is $2.18 per loaded mile. This is a regional baseline for the Mountain West 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 Thornton can expect approximately $18,530 gross monthly revenue and around $12,045 net after typical expenses (fuel, insurance, maintenance). Actual earnings depend on miles driven, load selection, and operating efficiency.

Top intermodal lanes from the Thornton market include: Denver CO → Salt Lake City UT, Phoenix AZ → Albuquerque NM, Boise ID → Salt Lake City UT, Las Vegas NV → Denver CO. These lanes reflect the Mountain West freight patterns and may vary by season.

Thornton sits in the Mountain West freight region, and its freight base is driven by distribution and logistics, healthcare, retail. It is served by I-25, I-76, E-470, 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 Thornton include I-25, I-76, E-470, US-87 (Washington St), SH-7 (120th Ave). These corridors connect to major distribution centers and freight lanes across the Mountain West region.