Intermodal Trucking in Tucson, AZ

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

$2.27

Rate / Mile

$19,295

Est. Gross / Month

$12,542

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 Arizona

Intermodal Earnings in Arizona

Detailed earnings data for intermodal owner-operators in AZ

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 Tucson

Denver CO → Salt Lake City UT

Phoenix AZ → Albuquerque NM

Boise ID → Salt Lake City UT

Las Vegas NV → Denver CO

Why Tucson for Intermodal

Key Industries

Defense and aerospace
Cross-border trade
Mining
Logistics and distribution

Key Highways

I-10I-19SR-77SR-86SR-210 (Barraza-Aviation Parkway)

Top Shippers

Raytheon Missiles & Defense
Amazon
Freeport-McMoRan
Chamberlain Group

Distribution Centers Near Tucson

Amazon TUS2 fulfillment center

Walmart DC

McLane Company

Need Intermodal Dispatch in Tucson?

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

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Intermodal Trucking in Tucson — FAQ

The modelled intermodal rate for Tucson is $2.27 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 Tucson can expect approximately $19,295 gross monthly revenue and around $12,542 net after typical expenses (fuel, insurance, maintenance). Actual earnings depend on miles driven, load selection, and operating efficiency.

Top intermodal lanes from the Tucson 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.

Tucson sits in the Mountain West freight region, and its freight base is driven by defense and aerospace, cross-border trade, mining. It is served by I-10, I-19, SR-77, 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 Tucson include I-10, I-19, SR-77, SR-86, SR-210 (Barraza-Aviation Parkway). These corridors connect to major distribution centers and freight lanes across the Mountain West region.