Freight Shipping from Tulsa to Tacoma
Ship freight from Tulsa, OK to Tacoma, WA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,345-$5,356, LTL from $1,312-$2,118. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,021 mi
Drive Time
37 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,345-$5,356
LTL Rate Est.
$1,312-$2,118
Energy & Chemicals Route
Tulsa → Tacoma Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
79–97
running this lane
Weekly Loads
90–107
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
65/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$23–$39 one-way passing through OK, WA, 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.
Tulsa to Tacoma Freight Corridor
Tulsa is the aerospace maintenance capital of the central U.S., with American Airlines operating its largest MRO facility here — capable of servicing widebody aircraft. The Port of Catoosa, America's most inland river port, connects Tulsa to the Gulf of Mexico via the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, enabling barge-to-truck transloading for heavy industrial freight. The city's legacy oil refining infrastructure creates steady tanker and hazmat volumes.
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.
The Tulsa-to-Tacoma corridor spans 2,021 miles via I-44, US-75, I-5, SR-16. This lane connects aerospace manufacturing and energy freight from the Tulsa market to port logistics and military (joint base lewis-mcchord) demand in Tacoma. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Tulsa
Tulsa's economy is driven by aerospace manufacturing, energy, steel fabrication, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
aircraft components
refined fuels
steel pipe & fittings
oil & gas equipment
processed foods
glass products
What Tacoma Receives
Tacoma's port logistics, military (joint base lewis-mcchord), manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Tulsa.
containerized imports (Asia)
vehicles
petroleum products
construction materials
military supplies
consumer goods
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Tulsa and Tacoma, 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.
$4,345-$5,356 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.
$5,760-$7,377 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$6,366-$8,589 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.
$1,312-$2,118 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Tulsa to Tacoma lane (2,021 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,345-$5,356 | 37 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,312-$2,118 | 39-41 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $6,568-$9,095 | 24 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,728-$3,739 | 40-42 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Tulsa and Tacoma that drive volume on this lane.
American Airlines Maintenance Base
NORDAM Group
Holly Frontier Refining
Port of Tacoma / NW Seaport Alliance
Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Simpson Tacoma Kraft
Shipping Tips for Tulsa to Tacoma
Tulsa Seasonal Advisory
Aerospace MRO work peaks during winter when airlines pull aircraft from service for heavy maintenance checks. Refinery output is steady but turnaround seasons (spring and fall) temporarily reduce outbound tanker volumes while increasing inbound equipment freight.
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.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,021 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 37 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 Tulsa and Tacoma — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Tulsa, OK
- Metro Population
- 1.0M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-44, US-75, US-169
- Rail / Intermodal
- Tulsa Port of Catoosa (McClellan-Kerr Waterway)
- Port Access
- Port of Catoosa (McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, 7 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Broken Arrow/US-169 South, Catoosa/Port Industrial Park, Tulsa International Airport Area
“The Port of Catoosa handles oversized cargo that can't move efficiently by highway alone — wind turbine components, industrial boilers, and heavy machinery arrive by barge and transfer to specialized heavy-haul carriers for final-mile delivery across the region.”
Destination
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.”
Return Loads from Tacoma
Backhaul from Tacoma to Tulsa requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Tacoma
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Tulsa to Tacoma Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Tulsa to Tacoma?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Tulsa, OK to Tacoma, WA currently range $4,345-$5,356 (roughly $2.15-$2.65 per mile over 2,021 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,312-$2,118 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 Tulsa to Tacoma?
Standard FTL transit from Tulsa to Tacoma is approximately 37 hrs by truck over 2,021 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 Tulsa Port of Catoosa (McClellan-Kerr Waterway) to Port of Tacoma Intermodal Yard takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Tulsa to Tacoma freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Tulsa commonly ships aircraft components, refined fuels, steel pipe & fittings, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Tacoma commonly receives containerized imports (Asia), vehicles, petroleum products. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Tacoma to Tulsa?
Moderate backhaul (scored 65/100 based on Tacoma's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Tacoma to Tulsa requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Tacoma's top outbound commodities — containerized exports (grain, hay), lumber & wood products, military equipment — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Tulsa to Tacoma?
The Tulsa-to-Tacoma corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Energy & Chemicals Route. Tulsa's top outbound commodities include aircraft components, refined fuels, steel pipe & fittings, oil & gas equipment, processed foods, glass products. Tacoma's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (Asia), vehicles, petroleum products, construction materials, military supplies, consumer goods. Industries driving this lane include aerospace manufacturing and energy from Tulsa and port logistics and military (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) in Tacoma.
When are rates highest on the Tulsa to Tacoma lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to aerospace manufacturing and energy cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); 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 Tulsa to Tacoma lane?
At 2,021 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 22-26 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 Tulsa to Tacoma
We maintain working relationships with 79+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Tulsa–Tacoma 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