How container drayage works in Pocatello
The Savage Railport in Pocatello gives Southern Idaho its own rail link to the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma on Union Pacific. Farmers and processors, especially hay exporters, no longer have to truck containers to Boise or Salt Lake City.
- Rail ramp
- Savage Railport, on UP's Pocatello yard
- Port link
- Union Pacific to Seattle and Tacoma
- Main cargo
- Hay and other farm exports to Asia
- Typical moves
- Empties out to farms, loaded boxes back before rail cutoff
More about drayage in Pocatello
Until the Pocatello terminal opened, Idaho farmers and processors who wanted to export in containers had to truck their products to Boise or Salt Lake City, or all the way to a port. Savage, a Utah-based logistics company, built the railport on 27 acres leased from Union Pacific at the railroad's Pocatello yard, and it now links Southern Idaho with UP's network.
Containers loaded at the railport travel by Union Pacific to the Northwest Seaport Alliance ports of Seattle and Tacoma, where they connect with ships to Asia and other markets. The main traffic is agricultural exports, especially hay and other farm products that benefit from cheaper, faster access to the coast.
Local drayage carriers bring empty containers from the railport to farms, hay compressing plants, warehouses and processors across Bannock, Bingham, Power and neighboring counties, and return loaded containers before the rail cutoff.
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Rail ramp
Railroads
Union Pacific
Main highways
I-15 · I-86 · US-30 · US-91
Container terminals and rail ramps in Pocatello
Where containers are picked up and returned in the Pocatello area.
Rail ramp
Savage Railport – Southern Idaho
Rail ramp · Savage / Union Pacific
Idaho's first intermodal terminal, on 27 acres at Union Pacific's Pocatello yard, with rail service to the ports of Seattle and Tacoma.
Hay, potatoes and Southern Idaho agriculture
Southern Idaho is one of the country's major agricultural regions. Hay and forage for dairy and livestock markets in Asia and the Middle East is a leading export, often compressed into bales and loaded into 40-foot containers. Grain, dairy products and processed foods are also shipped overseas.
Potatoes are Idaho's signature crop, and processors in southeastern Idaho turn them into frozen fries and other products, some of which are exported in refrigerated containers. Reefer exports require generator sets and careful temperature management from plant to rail terminal. Agricultural exports are seasonal, with peaks after harvests. Shippers and carriers plan ahead to secure empty containers and rail capacity during the busiest months.
Interstates 15 and 86 and regional routes
Pocatello sits where Interstate 15 and Interstate 86 meet. I-15 runs north to Idaho Falls and Montana and south to Salt Lake City, while I-86 heads west to American Falls and connects with Interstate 84 toward Twin Falls and Boise.
Distances in Southern Idaho are long, and many farms and plants are on rural roads. Carriers plan moves carefully to make the most of driver hours, and winter weather on the Snake River Plain and mountain passes can slow travel.
For importers, the railport also provides a way to bring containers inland from Seattle and Tacoma by rail rather than long truck hauls across the Pacific Northwest.
Why the railport matters for Idaho exporters
Idaho farmers have long been at a disadvantage in export markets because of the distance to ports. Trucking hay or potatoes hundreds of miles to Boise, Salt Lake City or the coast added cost and limited competitiveness. The Pocatello railport reduces that disadvantage by bringing rail service close to the farms.
It also helps manage equipment. Empty containers that arrive by rail can be positioned in Pocatello, giving exporters better access to boxes during busy seasons. Ocean carriers and the Northwest Seaport Alliance have supported the service as a way to balance container flows.
Local drayage carriers in Southern Idaho play a key role, moving containers between the railport and rural shippers. Many are small, family-run businesses that know the region's farms and processors well.
Common lanes out of Pocatello
Approximate one-way highway miles for the runs local carriers quote most often.
Blackfoot
Potato country north on I-15.
25 mi
American Falls
Food processing west on I-86.
25 mi
Idaho Falls
Eastern Idaho agriculture and industry.
50 mi
Twin Falls
Magic Valley dairy and food processing.
110 mi
Salt Lake City
Utah distribution and rail via I-15 South.
165 mi
Boise
Treasure Valley via I-86 and I-84.
235 mi
Booking drayage in Pocatello: what to know
Local habits that change the price and timing of a move in Pocatello. Mention them when you ask for a quote.
Book empties for harvest
Hay and potato export seasons create strong demand for empty containers. Reserve equipment early.
Plan reefer exports
Frozen potato products need gensets and temperature control from plant to railport.
Check rail cutoffs
Loaded containers must reach the railport before the train cutoff to stay on schedule for Seattle and Tacoma.
Allow for winter travel
Snow and wind on the Snake River Plain can slow rural deliveries. Build in extra time.
Drayage markets near Pocatello
Many carriers that serve Pocatello also run these nearby ports and rail ramps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about container drayage in Pocatello, ID.