Freight Shipping from Tacoma to Fort Worth
Ship freight from Tacoma, WA to Fort Worth, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,618-$5,692, LTL from $1,381-$2,226. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,148 mi
Drive Time
39 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,618-$5,692
LTL Rate Est.
$1,381-$2,226
Consumer Goods Corridor
Tacoma → Fort Worth Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
92–108
running this lane
Weekly Loads
100–118
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
78/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$23–$39 one-way passing through WA, TX, OK, NM. 5 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Tacoma to Fort Worth Freight Corridor
Tacoma is the southern anchor of the Northwest Seaport Alliance, handling the bulk of container vessel calls for the Pacific Northwest. The Port of Tacoma's deep-water terminals process millions of TEUs annually, with direct rail connections to BNSF's transcontinental network. Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the largest military installation on the West Coast, generates substantial defense logistics freight including vehicle movements, equipment deployments, and supply chain operations.
Fort Worth is the aerospace and rail logistics capital of Texas. Lockheed Martin's mile-long factory produces every F-35 Lightning II fighter jet sold worldwide, generating classified, oversize, and high-security freight that requires specialized carriers. BNSF Railway's headquarters and Alliance Texas — the nation's largest inland port — create one of the most sophisticated intermodal logistics ecosystems in North America. Bell Textron builds V-22 Ospreys and commercial helicopters, adding to the aerospace freight base.
The Tacoma-to-Fort Worth corridor spans 2,148 miles via I-5, SR-16, I-35W, I-30. This lane connects port logistics and military (joint base lewis-mcchord) freight from the Tacoma market to aerospace & defense and rail logistics demand in Fort Worth. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Tacoma
Tacoma's economy is driven by port logistics, military (joint base lewis-mcchord), manufacturing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
containerized exports (grain, hay)
lumber & wood products
military equipment
frozen seafood
scrap metal
paper products
What Fort Worth Receives
Fort Worth's aerospace & defense, rail logistics, ranching & agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Tacoma.
aerospace sub-assemblies
raw metals
containerized imports (via Alliance)
consumer goods
building materials
fuel
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Tacoma and Fort Worth, these equipment types best serve this corridor.
Dry Van (FTL)
Ideal for palletized consumer goods, electronics, packaged foods, and general merchandise. Enclosed protection from weather and theft.
$4,618-$5,692 estimated for this lane
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Required for temperature-sensitive freight including fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Maintains precise temperature control throughout transit.
$5,692-$7,196 estimated for this lane
Flatbed
Best for steel, lumber, machinery, building materials, and oversized loads that cannot be palletized or loaded through standard dock doors.
$6,122-$7,840 estimated for this lane
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
Cost-effective for shipments under 10,000 lbs or fewer than 10 pallets. Shared trailer space with other shippers reduces cost for smaller loads.
$1,381-$2,226 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Tacoma to Fort Worth lane (2,148 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,618-$5,692 | 39 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,381-$2,226 | 41-43 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $6,981-$9,666 | 26 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,900-$3,974 | 42-44 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Tacoma and Fort Worth that drive volume on this lane.
Port of Tacoma / NW Seaport Alliance
Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Simpson Tacoma Kraft
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (F-35)
Bell Textron (HQ)
BNSF Railway (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Tacoma to Fort Worth
Tacoma Seasonal Advisory
Container import volumes peak mid-summer through early fall for holiday retail inventory. Military freight follows deployment and exercise schedules at JBLM. Grain export season (August-November) from eastern Washington drives heavy truck-to-ship transfers at the port.
Fort Worth Seasonal Advisory
Defense freight follows federal fiscal year-end spending (September rush). BNSF intermodal volumes peak during Q4 import season. Livestock and agricultural freight from the Fort Worth Stockyards region is strongest March through October.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,148 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 39 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
Book Early for Best Rates
Spot market rates fluctuate daily. Booking 3-5 days in advance typically saves 10-15% compared to same-day or next-day freight requests. For recurring shipments, ask about contract rates.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Tacoma and Fort Worth — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Tacoma, WA
- Metro Population
- 920K metro (Pierce County)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-5, SR-16, SR-167
- Rail / Intermodal
- Port of Tacoma Intermodal Yard; BNSF South Tacoma Yard
- Port Access
- Port of Tacoma / Northwest Seaport Alliance (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Port of Tacoma/Tideflats, Fredrickson/I-5 South, Fife/SR-167 Corridor
“The Tacoma Tideflats industrial area is one of the densest freight zones on the West Coast, with port terminals, rail yards, and warehouses packed into a small area. Carriers who master the local routing through this zone — avoiding the chronic congestion on SR-509 — gain a significant time advantage on port drayage runs.”
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
- Metro Population
- 7.6M metro (DFW)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-35W, I-30, I-20
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Alliance Intermodal Facility; Alliance Texas Logistics Hub
- Warehouse Districts
- AllianceTexas/I-35W North, South Fort Worth/I-20 Corridor, Haslet/Alliance Gateway
“AllianceTexas is not just an intermodal facility — it's a 27,000-acre master-planned logistics campus with its own airport, rail yard, and 50+ million square feet of warehouse space. Carriers who operate within the Alliance ecosystem can string together multiple loads without leaving the campus.”
Return Loads from Fort Worth
Fort Worth generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Tacoma is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Fort Worth
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Tacoma to Fort Worth Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Tacoma to Fort Worth?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Tacoma, WA to Fort Worth, TX currently range $4,618-$5,692 (roughly $2.17-$2.68 per mile over 2,148 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,381-$2,226 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently tight on this corridor, so booking 3-5 days out locks in the best pricing. Request a custom quote for exact rates.
How long does freight take from Tacoma to Fort Worth?
Standard FTL transit from Tacoma to Fort Worth is approximately 39 hrs by truck over 2,148 miles, with 5 typical fuel stops along the corridor. LTL shipments add 2-4 business days due to terminal transfers. Expedited service with team drivers can reduce FTL transit by up to 40%. Intermodal rail-truck service via Port of Tacoma Intermodal Yard to BNSF Alliance Intermodal Facility takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Tacoma to Fort Worth freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Tacoma commonly ships containerized exports (grain, hay), lumber & wood products, military equipment, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Fort Worth commonly receives aerospace sub-assemblies, raw metals, containerized imports (via Alliance). Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Fort Worth to Tacoma?
Strong backhaul (scored 78/100 based on Fort Worth's outbound commodity mix). Fort Worth generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Tacoma is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Fort Worth's top outbound commodities — F-35 fighter jet components, Bell helicopters, grain & cattle — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Tacoma to Fort Worth?
The Tacoma-to-Fort Worth corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Tacoma's top outbound commodities include containerized exports (grain, hay), lumber & wood products, military equipment, frozen seafood, scrap metal, paper products. Fort Worth's primary inbound freight includes aerospace sub-assemblies, raw metals, containerized imports (via Alliance), consumer goods, building materials, fuel. Industries driving this lane include port logistics and military (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) from Tacoma and aerospace & defense and rail logistics in Fort Worth.
When are rates highest on the Tacoma to Fort Worth lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to port logistics and military (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Should I use team drivers for the Tacoma to Fort Worth lane?
At 2,148 miles, this route exceeds a solo driver's hours-of-service limits and requires at least one 10-hour break, adding roughly 14-18 hours to transit. Team drivers typically deliver in 23-28 hours — nearly half the solo transit — at a 20-35% rate premium. For time-critical freight over 1,200 miles, teams generally pay for themselves.
Get Exact Rates for Tacoma to Fort Worth
We maintain working relationships with 92+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Tacoma–Fort Worth corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts