Freight Shipping from Cedar Rapids to Seattle
Ship freight from Cedar Rapids, IA to Seattle, WA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,311-$5,313, LTL from $1,303-$2,104. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,005 mi
Drive Time
36 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,311-$5,313
LTL Rate Est.
$1,303-$2,104
Cedar Rapids to Seattle Freight Corridor
Cedar Rapids is the cereal capital of the world, home to Quaker Oats' largest production facility, multiple ADM and Cargill processing plants, and a constellation of smaller food manufacturers that together process more grain per capita than any other US city. Collins Aerospace's avionics division adds a high-tech freight dimension, shipping flight-critical electronics to aircraft manufacturers worldwide. The Cedar River provides limited barge access, but the vast majority of freight moves by truck on I-380 toward Chicago or Des Moines.
Seattle is the Pacific Northwest's freight powerhouse, combining one of the nation's largest container ports with the headquarters of Amazon, Boeing, Microsoft, and Costco. The Northwest Seaport Alliance (Seattle + Tacoma) is the fourth-largest container gateway in North America, funneling Asian imports into the U.S. interior via BNSF and Union Pacific rail. Amazon's explosive last-mile network has transformed the region's freight landscape, with dozens of delivery stations and fulfillment centers scattered across the Puget Sound.
The Cedar Rapids-to-Seattle corridor spans 2,005 miles via I-380, US-30, I-5, I-90. This lane connects cereal & grain processing and meat packing freight from the Cedar Rapids market to technology and aerospace (boeing) demand in Seattle. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids's economy is driven by cereal & grain processing, meat packing, agricultural equipment, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
cereal products
corn syrup & starch
processed meats
ethanol
avionics systems
oat products
What Seattle Receives
Seattle's technology, aerospace (boeing), e-commerce (amazon) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Cedar Rapids.
containerized imports (Asia)
consumer electronics
automotive vehicles
construction materials
industrial machinery
food & beverage
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Cedar Rapids and Seattle, 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.
$4,311-$5,313 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.
$5,313-$6,717 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.
$5,714-$7,318 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.
$1,303-$2,104 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Cedar Rapids to Seattle lane (2,005 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,311-$5,313 | 36 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,303-$2,104 | 38-40 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $6,516-$9,023 | 24 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Cedar Rapids and Seattle that drive volume on this lane.
Quaker Oats/PepsiCo (largest cereal plant in world)
Collins Aerospace
ADM (corn processing)
Amazon (HQ)
Boeing Everett/Renton
Microsoft (Redmond)
Shipping Tips for Cedar Rapids to Seattle
Cedar Rapids Seasonal Advisory
Grain processing is year-round, but harvest season (September-November) creates intense competition for trucks as bulk grain, ethanol, and finished products all peak simultaneously. Cereal shipments spike ahead of back-to-school and holiday periods.
Seattle Seasonal Advisory
Port volumes peak July-October as retailers stock for holidays. Apple and cherry harvest (July-September) from eastern Washington creates heavy reefer demand. Boeing production schedules drive oversized and flatbed freight year-round. Amazon Q4 surge (October-December) is the single largest seasonal freight event in the region.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,005 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 36 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.
Cedar Rapids to Seattle Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Cedar Rapids to Seattle?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Cedar Rapids, IA to Seattle, WA currently range from $4,311-$5,313 for a standard dry van load over the 2,005-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $1,303-$2,104 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Request a custom quote for exact pricing based on your specific shipment details.
How long does freight take from Cedar Rapids to Seattle?
Standard FTL transit from Cedar Rapids to Seattle is approximately 36 hrs by truck over 2,005 miles. LTL shipments add 2-4 business days due to terminal transfers. Expedited service with team drivers can reduce FTL transit by up to 40%.
What equipment do I need for Cedar Rapids to Seattle freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Cedar Rapids commonly ships cereal products, corn syrup & starch, processed meats, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Seattle commonly receives containerized imports (Asia), consumer electronics, automotive vehicles. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Seattle to Cedar Rapids?
Yes. Seattle is a strong outbound market shipping aircraft & aerospace parts, software/cloud hardware, seafood (Alaska processing). Carriers returning from Seattle to Cedar Rapids can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Cedar Rapids-to-Seattle lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Cedar Rapids to Seattle?
The Cedar Rapids-to-Seattle corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Cedar Rapids's top outbound commodities include cereal products, corn syrup & starch, processed meats, ethanol, avionics systems, oat products. Seattle's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (Asia), consumer electronics, automotive vehicles, construction materials, industrial machinery, food & beverage. Industries driving this lane include cereal & grain processing and meat packing from Cedar Rapids and technology and aerospace (Boeing) in Seattle.
Get Exact Rates for Cedar Rapids to Seattle
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