How container drayage works in Seattle and Tacoma
The Northwest Seaport Alliance runs the container terminals of both Seattle and Tacoma as one gateway. A large share of containers go straight to on-dock or near-dock rail for Chicago and the Midwest. The rest are trucked to warehouses in the Kent Valley.
- Seattle
- Terminal 18, Terminal 5 and Terminal 30
- Tacoma
- Husky, Washington United and Pierce County terminals
- Rail
- BNSF SIG, UP Argo and Tacoma's South Intermodal Yard
- Warehouses
- Kent Valley, Sumner, Fife, Auburn and Puyallup
More about drayage in Seattle / Tacoma
The Northwest Seaport Alliance manages container terminals in Seattle and Tacoma. In Seattle, Terminal 18 on Harbor Island, Terminal 5 in West Seattle and Terminal 30 handle container services. In Tacoma, the Husky Terminal, Washington United Terminals and Pierce County Terminal serve major alliances. Each terminal has its own gates and appointment systems.
Rail is a big part of the business. A large share of containers move inland by train to Chicago, the Midwest and other markets. BNSF's Seattle International Gateway and South Seattle yards, Union Pacific's Argo yard, and Tacoma's on-dock and near-dock rail facilities, including the South Intermodal Yard, connect the ports with the rest of the country.
Local drayage carriers move containers between terminals, rail yards and warehouses in the Kent Valley, Sumner, Fife, Auburn and Puyallup, and run regional loads to Portland, Spokane and the Yakima Valley.
5
Marine terminals
3
Rail ramps
Railroads
BNSF · Union Pacific · Tacoma Rail
Main highways
I-5 · I-405 · I-90 · SR-167 · SR-509 · SR-99
Container terminals and rail ramps in Seattle / Tacoma
Where containers are picked up and returned in the Seattle / Tacoma area.
Marine terminal
Rail ramp
Terminal 18 (Harbor Island)
Marine terminal · SSA Terminals / NWSA
Large Seattle container terminal on Harbor Island.
Terminal 5 (West Seattle)
Marine terminal · NWSA
Modernized Seattle terminal in West Seattle, upgraded for the largest ships.
Husky Terminal (Tacoma)
Marine terminal · NWSA
Tacoma container terminal on the Blair Waterway.
Washington United Terminals (Tacoma)
Marine terminal · WUT / NWSA
Tacoma container terminal with on-dock rail.
Pierce County Terminal (Tacoma)
Marine terminal · NWSA
Tacoma container terminal on the Port of Tacoma's tideflats.
Seattle International Gateway
Rail ramp · BNSF
BNSF's near-dock intermodal yard in Seattle's SoDo district.
Argo Yard
Rail ramp · Union Pacific
Union Pacific's Seattle intermodal yard south of downtown.
South Intermodal Yard (Tacoma)
Rail ramp · NWSA
Near-dock rail yard serving Tacoma's terminals.
The Kent Valley and Puget Sound warehouses
The Kent Valley, between Seattle and Tacoma along SR-167 and I-5, is one of the largest warehouse markets on the West Coast. Retailers, e-commerce companies and manufacturers use it to serve the Pacific Northwest. Fife, Sumner and Puyallup near Tacoma have also grown as distribution hubs. Traffic on I-5, I-405 and SR-167 is heavy, and carriers schedule around peak hours.
Agricultural exports and Asia trade
Washington, Idaho and Oregon export apples, hay, frozen potatoes, grain and other products through Seattle and Tacoma. Many exports are refrigerated or heavy. Imports from Asia include consumer goods, electronics and auto parts. Containers for Midwest markets often move straight to rail. Aerospace manufacturing, including Boeing, and technology companies generate high-value freight.
Clean trucks, weather and routes
The Northwest Seaport Alliance has clean truck requirements for drayage trucks serving its terminals, and it is working toward zero-emission truck goals.
Rain is common, and winter snow and ice can affect mountain passes such as Snoqualmie Pass on I-90, which links Puget Sound with Eastern Washington. Ferry and bridge routes around Puget Sound add complexity for some deliveries.
Why Puget Sound is a gateway to the Midwest
Seattle and Tacoma are among the closest US ports to Asia by sailing time, and BNSF and Union Pacific run direct intermodal trains from Puget Sound to Chicago, the Midwest and other inland markets. That combination makes the Northwest Seaport Alliance a key gateway for imports bound well beyond the Pacific Northwest.
A large share of containers arriving at Seattle and Tacoma never leave the ports by truck; they move straight to on-dock or near-dock rail yards. That reduces long-haul truck traffic but creates steady short-haul drayage between terminals and rail yards.
The ports compete with Vancouver and Prince Rupert in Canada and with California ports for this traffic, and they have invested in terminal upgrades such as Terminal 5's modernization to handle larger ships.
Common lanes out of Seattle / Tacoma
Approximate one-way highway miles for the runs local carriers quote most often.
Fife / Sumner / Puyallup
Tacoma-area distribution centers.
10 mi
Kent Valley
Major warehouse market between Seattle and Tacoma.
20 mi
Everett
Aerospace and manufacturing north of Seattle.
30 mi
Yakima
Apple and hay exports via I-90 and I-82.
145 mi
Portland, OR
Oregon via I-5.
170 mi
Spokane
Eastern Washington via I-90.
280 mi
Booking drayage in Seattle / Tacoma: what to know
Local habits that change the price and timing of a move in Seattle / Tacoma. Mention them when you ask for a quote.
Name the terminal and port
Seattle and Tacoma terminals are miles apart. Include the terminal in your quote request.
Use rail for inland markets
Many containers move straight to rail. Ask about on-dock or near-dock options.
Plan mountain crossings
Snoqualmie Pass can close in winter. Allow extra time for Eastern Washington moves.
Check clean truck rules
NWSA terminals require compliant trucks. Confirm your carrier meets requirements.
Drayage markets near Seattle / Tacoma
Many carriers that serve Seattle / Tacoma also run these nearby ports and rail ramps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about container drayage in Seattle / Tacoma, WA.