Freight Shipping from Fort Worth to Seattle
Ship freight from Fort Worth, TX to Seattle, WA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,638-$5,716, LTL from $1,386-$2,233. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,157 mi
Drive Time
39 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,638-$5,716
LTL Rate Est.
$1,386-$2,233
Port Drayage Corridor
Fort Worth → Seattle Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
97–119
running this lane
Weekly Loads
228–249
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
72/100
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 TX, WA, 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.
Fort Worth to Seattle Freight Corridor
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.
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 Fort Worth-to-Seattle corridor spans 2,157 miles via I-35W, I-30, I-5, I-90. This lane connects aerospace & defense and rail logistics freight from the Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth
Fort Worth's economy is driven by aerospace & defense, rail logistics, ranching & agriculture, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
F-35 fighter jet components
Bell helicopters
grain & cattle
consumer goods
dairy products
industrial equipment
What Seattle Receives
Seattle's technology, aerospace (boeing), e-commerce (amazon) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Fort Worth.
containerized imports (Asia)
consumer electronics
automotive vehicles
construction materials
industrial machinery
food & beverage
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Fort Worth 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.
$4,638-$5,716 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.
$5,716-$7,226 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.
$6,147-$7,873 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.
$1,386-$2,233 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Fort Worth to Seattle lane (2,157 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,638-$5,716 | 39 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,386-$2,233 | 41-43 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $7,010-$9,707 | 26 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,912-$3,990 | 42-44 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Fort Worth and Seattle that drive volume on this lane.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (F-35)
Bell Textron (HQ)
BNSF Railway (HQ)
Amazon (HQ)
Boeing Everett/Renton
Microsoft (Redmond)
Shipping Tips for Fort Worth to Seattle
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.
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 2,157 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 Fort Worth and Seattle — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
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.”
Destination
Seattle, WA
- Metro Population
- 4.0M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-5, I-90, I-405
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Seattle International Gateway; Union Pacific Argo Yard; Port of Seattle Terminal 18
- Port Access
- Port of Seattle / Northwest Seaport Alliance (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Kent Valley/I-5 South, SoDo/Harbor Island, Sumner/I-167
“Seattle's chronic truck driver shortage — driven by sky-high cost of living — means carriers willing to base here command premium rates. The I-5 corridor between Seattle and Portland is one of the most consistently high-paying lanes on the West Coast, especially for reefer loads of Pacific Northwest produce.”
Return Loads from Seattle
Seattle generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Fort Worth is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Seattle
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
Fort Worth to Seattle Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Fort Worth to Seattle?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Fort Worth, TX to Seattle, WA currently range $4,638-$5,716 (roughly $2.17-$2.66 per mile over 2,157 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,386-$2,233 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 Fort Worth to Seattle?
Standard FTL transit from Fort Worth to Seattle is approximately 39 hrs by truck over 2,157 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 BNSF Alliance Intermodal Facility to BNSF Seattle International Gateway takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Fort Worth to Seattle freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Fort Worth commonly ships F-35 fighter jet components, Bell helicopters, grain & cattle, 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 Fort Worth?
Strong backhaul (scored 72/100 based on Seattle's outbound commodity mix). Seattle generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Fort Worth is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Seattle's top outbound commodities — aircraft & aerospace parts, software/cloud hardware, seafood (Alaska processing) — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Fort Worth to Seattle?
The Fort Worth-to-Seattle corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Fort Worth's top outbound commodities include F-35 fighter jet components, Bell helicopters, grain & cattle, consumer goods, dairy products, industrial equipment. Seattle's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (Asia), consumer electronics, automotive vehicles, construction materials, industrial machinery, food & beverage. Industries driving this lane include aerospace & defense and rail logistics from Fort Worth and technology and aerospace (Boeing) in Seattle.
When are rates highest on the Fort Worth to Seattle lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to aerospace & defense and rail logistics 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 Fort Worth to Seattle lane?
At 2,157 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 Fort Worth to Seattle
We maintain working relationships with 97+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Fort Worth–Seattle 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