Freight Shipping from Tacoma to Ontario
Ship freight from Tacoma, WA to Ontario, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,640-$3,254, LTL from $875-$1,444. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,228 mi
Drive Time
22 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,640-$3,254
LTL Rate Est.
$875-$1,444
Industrial Freight Lane
Tacoma → Ontario Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
108–127
running this lane
Weekly Loads
36–56
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
70/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$17–$29 one-way passing through WA, CA. 3 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 Ontario 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.
Ontario is the logistics epicenter of the Inland Empire, anchored by Ontario International Airport's massive air cargo operations and surrounded by over 100 million square feet of warehouse and distribution space. The city's position at the I-10/I-15 junction makes it the primary distribution gateway for goods flowing from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach into the national supply chain. Amazon, UPS, and FedEx all maintain major sort and fulfillment facilities here, and the region's lower costs compared to coastal LA have driven explosive warehouse development.
The Tacoma-to-Ontario corridor spans 1,228 miles via I-5, SR-16, I-10, I-15. This lane connects port logistics and military (joint base lewis-mcchord) freight from the Tacoma market to logistics & warehousing and air cargo (ont airport) demand in Ontario. 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 Ontario Receives
Ontario's logistics & warehousing, air cargo (ont airport), e-commerce fulfillment sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Tacoma.
containerized imports (from LA/LB ports)
raw materials
food products
packaging supplies
consumer electronics
industrial equipment
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Tacoma and Ontario, 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.
$2,640-$3,254 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.
$3,254-$4,114 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.
$3,500-$4,482 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.
$875-$1,444 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Tacoma to Ontario lane (1,228 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,640-$3,254 | 22 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $875-$1,444 | 24-26 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,991-$5,526 | 15 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,658-$2,272 | 25-27 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Tacoma and Ontario that drive volume on this lane.
Port of Tacoma / NW Seaport Alliance
Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Simpson Tacoma Kraft
Amazon ONT Fulfillment Network
UPS Ontario Hub
FedEx Ground Ontario
Shipping Tips for Tacoma to Ontario
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.
Ontario Seasonal Advisory
E-commerce fulfillment peaks dramatically during Q4 holidays. Air cargo at ONT surges during holiday season and Valentine's Day (flower imports). Construction freight is year-round due to the Inland Empire's rapid residential development.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,228 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 22 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 Ontario — 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
Ontario, CA
- Metro Population
- 185K city (part of Inland Empire)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-10, I-15, SR-60
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF San Bernardino Intermodal (10 mi); UP ICTF Los Angeles (50 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Ontario Ranch/I-15 South, Haven Ave/I-10 Corridor, Milliken Ave Industrial
“Ontario is the single best place in Southern California to find outbound loads. The concentration of distribution centers means carriers can often pick up loads within minutes of delivering, making it the preferred staging area for owner-operators working the SoCal market. The key is arriving early — the best loads post between 6-8 AM.”
Return Loads from Ontario
Ontario generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Tacoma is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Ontario
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 Ontario Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Tacoma to Ontario?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Tacoma, WA to Ontario, CA currently range $2,640-$3,254 (roughly $2.16-$2.65 per mile over 1,228 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $875-$1,444 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced 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 Ontario?
Standard FTL transit from Tacoma to Ontario is approximately 22 hrs by truck over 1,228 miles, with 3 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 San Bernardino Intermodal (10 mi) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Tacoma to Ontario 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. Ontario commonly receives containerized imports (from LA/LB ports), raw materials, food products. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Ontario to Tacoma?
Strong backhaul (scored 70/100 based on Ontario's outbound commodity mix). Ontario generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Tacoma is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Ontario's top outbound commodities — e-commerce shipments, consumer goods, processed foods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Tacoma to Ontario?
The Tacoma-to-Ontario corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. Tacoma's top outbound commodities include containerized exports (grain, hay), lumber & wood products, military equipment, frozen seafood, scrap metal, paper products. Ontario's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (from LA/LB ports), raw materials, food products, packaging supplies, consumer electronics, industrial equipment. Industries driving this lane include port logistics and military (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) from Tacoma and logistics & warehousing and air cargo (ONT airport) in Ontario.
When are rates highest on the Tacoma to Ontario 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.
Get Exact Rates for Tacoma to Ontario
We maintain working relationships with 108+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Tacoma–Ontario 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