Port drayage Tacoma and Seattle shippers trust starts with one thing: a carrier who shows up on time, every time. Tacoma Drayage Trucking provides fast, reliable container drayage from the Port of Tacoma and Port of Seattle to warehouses and distribution centers throughout the Puget Sound — Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Redmond, Everett, Olympia, and everywhere in between. We also run dry van and reefer trailer moves across the region. FMCSA licensed, fully insured, Monday–Friday 7am–4pm with weekend on-call dispatch.
Table of Contents
✅ FMCSA Licensed
MC-XXXXXX / DOT-XXXXXXX
✅ Fully Insured
Cargo + Liability
✅ Weekend On-Call
Text or Call Anytime
What Is Port Drayage — And Why Does It Matter to Puget Sound Shippers?
Port drayage is the short-distance trucking move that picks up a shipping container from a port terminal and delivers it to your warehouse, dock, or distribution center — or the reverse for outbound export shipments. It sounds simple, but in the Tacoma and Seattle freight market, timing is everything.
The Port of Tacoma and Port of Seattle both charge demurrage fees when containers sit past their free time window — typically $150 to $400 per container per day. One missed pickup can cost you $1,000 or more in fees before you realize there’s a problem. The right local drayage carrier prevents that entirely.
We operate at both Puget Sound ports every single day providing port drayage Tacoma and Seattle businesses depend on. Our drivers know every terminal gate, every appointment booking system, and every shortcut through South King County and Pierce County traffic. That local knowledge is why port drayage Tacoma and Seattle businesses keep calling us back.
Port Drayage & Freight Services — Tacoma, Seattle & Puget Sound
🚢 Import Container Pickup — Port of Tacoma & Port of Seattle
Your container arrives at the terminal. We pick it up the day it becomes available and deliver it to your facility in Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Redmond, or anywhere in the Puget Sound area. We handle the terminal appointment, chassis sourcing, and all documentation. You just tell us the delivery address.
📤 Export Container Drop-Off
Shipping product overseas from your Tacoma or Seattle area facility? We pick up an empty container, bring it to your dock, and return the loaded container to the terminal before your vessel cutoff. No missed cutoffs. No rebooking delays. No stress.
🔄 Drop-and-Hook Drayage
We drop the container at your facility and return to pick it up after your team has unloaded — on your schedule, not ours. Ideal for high-volume receiving operations in Kent Valley warehouses and Auburn distribution centers where driver wait time isn’t practical.
🚚 Dry Van Trucking — Puget Sound & Regional Lanes
In addition to port drayage, we run dry van trailer moves for general freight throughout the Puget Sound metro — Tacoma, Seattle, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Redmond, Everett, and Olympia. For shippers who need freight moved beyond the region, we also run extended lanes to Eastern Washington, Astoria OR, and Boise ID. Ask about availability and rates for your specific lanes.
❄️ Reefer Trucking — Refrigerated Freight Puget Sound
Temperature-controlled reefer trailer moves for perishables, pharmaceuticals, produce, seafood, and any freight that requires a controlled environment. We serve the Tacoma and Seattle metro area and surrounding Puget Sound communities. Our drivers are trained on reefer unit operation, temperature logging, and cold chain handling requirements. Your freight arrives at the right temperature, every time.
🚂 Intermodal Trucking — BNSF & UP Rail Yards
Rail container moves between BNSF and UP rail yards and your Puget Sound facility. Our drivers know every rail yard procedure in the region and work around schedules and congestion so your intermodal freight keeps moving without unnecessary delays.
🏭 Transload Services — Kent Valley & Puget Sound
Need freight moved from a shipping container into a dry van or reefer trailer? We coordinate transload operations at partner facilities in the Kent Valley and throughout the Puget Sound area — minimizing handling time and keeping your supply chain moving efficiently.
⚡ Same-Day & Emergency Dispatch
Need port drayage Tacoma or Seattle terminals — fast? Container approaching demurrage? Need an urgent dry van or reefer pickup in Kent or Auburn? We maintain capacity for same-day and emergency moves across the Puget Sound area. Call dispatch directly — we answer Monday–Friday and we’re on-call all weekend.
Terminals We Operate At Daily
Port of Tacoma
One of the largest container ports on the West Coast, serving Pierce County and the broader South Puget Sound. Our drivers work these terminals every day and know every gate procedure, chassis pool, and appointment system. Learn more at the Port of Tacoma’s official website.
- Northwest Container Services (NWCS)
- Washington United Terminals (WUT)
- Pierce County Terminal (PCT) — Everport
- Matson/Horizon Terminals
- Affordable Storage Containers
- Husky Terminal
Port of Seattle
Seattle’s container terminals handle major import and export volume for King County shippers. We run daily drayage routes from Seattle terminals to warehouses and distribution centers throughout the Kent Valley and Puget Sound metro. Learn more at the Port of Seattle’s official website.
- Terminal 18 (T-18) — SSA Marine
- Terminal 5 (T-5) — SSA Marine
- ConGlobal (CGI)
- UPRR (Rail)
- BNSF (Rail)
How Our Port Drayage Process Works
Step 1 — Call or Get a Quote Online
Call (206) 821-7007 or fill out our online quote form. Tell us which port, your container details, delivery address in the Puget Sound area, and your required pickup date.
Step 2 — Get a Clear All-In Rate
We give you a firm price upfront — base rate, fuel, chassis, and port fees all included. No surprise charges. You know the exact cost before we roll.
Step 3 — We Handle the Terminal
We book the terminal appointment, source the chassis, and handle all paperwork. You don’t touch a single terminal system or chassis pool — we do it all.
Step 4 — Pickup, Transit & Updates
Driver picks up your container and heads to your Kent, Auburn, Renton, or Tacoma facility. You get proactive status updates — no need to call and ask where your freight is.
Step 5 — Delivery Confirmed
Container delivered. Proof of delivery sent same day. Empty return handled automatically. Done.
Why Puget Sound Shippers Choose Us
💰 We Stop Demurrage Fees Before They Start
We monitor your container availability and prioritize fast pickup — especially at the Port of Tacoma and Port of Seattle where free time runs out fast. If anything threatens your timeline, we call you first. Not after the fees hit.
📍 We Know the Puget Sound Better Than Anyone
Our drivers are based in the Tacoma and Seattle area — not dispatched from out of state. They know the Kent Valley warehouse corridors, the Auburn industrial routes, the fastest way through Federal Way traffic, and every gate at both ports. That local knowledge saves you time on every single load.
✅ Licensed, Insured & Port-Credentialed
FMCSA licensed, fully insured for cargo and liability, and credentialed at both Tacoma and Seattle terminals. Every driver holds a TWIC card and is authorized for terminal access. No compliance surprises — ever.
📄 Transparent Pricing Every Time
Every quote is all-in. No fuel surcharge added later. No chassis fee tacked onto the invoice after delivery. What we quote is what you pay — period.
Where We Deliver — Puget Sound Service Area
Our port drayage Tacoma service area covers the entire Puget Sound metro — the places where most of the freight volume from the Port of Tacoma and Port of Seattle actually ends up:
- Tacoma — home base, Port of Tacoma direct access
- Seattle — Port of Seattle terminals daily
- Kent — Kent Valley warehouse corridor
- Auburn — Auburn industrial & distribution zone
- Renton — Renton & Tukwila commercial corridor
- Federal Way — South King County
- Redmond — East King County
- Bellingham — Whatcom County, North WA
- Burlington — Skagit County corridor
- Olympia & Gig Harbor — South Sound
- Everett — North Sound, Snohomish County
- Extended lanes: Eastern WA · Astoria OR · Boise ID
Not sure if we cover your address? Call us — if you’re in the Puget Sound area, the answer is yes.
Frequently Asked Questions — Port Drayage Tacoma & Seattle
How much does port drayage cost in Tacoma or Seattle?
Port drayage Tacoma and Seattle rates typically run $300–$900 per move depending on terminal, delivery distance, container size, weight, floor loaded or palletized, and chassis fees. Deliveries to Seattle, Kent, Auburn, and Renton from the Port of Tacoma are among our most common moves — call for an exact quote specific to your lanes.
Do you serve both the Port of Tacoma and Port of Seattle?
Yes — every day. Many Puget Sound shippers use both ports depending on vessel schedules, and we handle pickups and deliveries at both without any extra hassle on your end.
How fast can you pick up my container?
Same day or next business day for most port drayage Tacoma and Seattle pickups. For urgent moves in the Kent, Auburn, or Tacoma area — call dispatch directly and we’ll tell you exactly what we can do.
Do you do dry van and reefer in addition to drayage?
Yes. We run dry van and reefer trailer moves throughout the Puget Sound metro and on extended lanes to Eastern Washington, Astoria OR, and Boise ID. Call us to discuss your freight and get a rate.
What are your hours?
Monday–Friday 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM Pacific. Weekend on-call for urgent freight — call or text anytime and we’ll respond fast.
Do you provide chassis for container moves?
Yes — chassis sourcing and coordination is included in every drayage move. We manage it through the port chassis pools at both Tacoma and Seattle terminals.
What’s the difference between port drayage and dry van trucking?
Port drayage moves a shipping container on a chassis directly from a port or rail terminal to your facility. Dry van trucking uses a separate enclosed trailer for general freight. We offer both — and we can transload cargo from a container into a dry van or reefer trailer when your freight needs to transition between the two.
Get a Free Quote — Tacoma, Seattle, Kent & Puget Sound
We’re the local carrier Puget Sound shippers call when they need port drayage Tacoma and Seattle done right — fast pickup, clear pricing, and drivers who know every terminal gate and every warehouse corridor in the region.
📞 (206) 821-7007
Monday–Friday 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM · Weekends On-Call