Freight Shipping from Long Beach to Seattle
Ship freight from Long Beach, CA to Seattle, WA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,739-$3,376, LTL from $901-$1,483. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,274 mi
Drive Time
23 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,739-$3,376
LTL Rate Est.
$901-$1,483
Consumer Goods Corridor
Long Beach → Seattle Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
118–138
running this lane
Weekly Loads
104–117
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
73/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$18–$30 one-way passing through CA, WA. 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.
Long Beach to Seattle Freight Corridor
The Port of Long Beach, paired with the adjacent Port of Los Angeles, forms the San Pedro Bay complex that handles nearly half of all US maritime imports. Long Beach itself has invested billions in on-dock rail infrastructure, allowing containers to move directly from ship to train without a truck dray, though the majority still leave by truck on the notoriously congested I-710. The city's zero-emission truck mandates are reshaping drayage economics as carriers invest in electric and hydrogen-powered equipment.
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 Long Beach-to-Seattle corridor spans 1,274 miles via I-405. This lane connects port operations and oil & petrochemicals freight from the Long Beach 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 Long Beach
Long Beach's economy is driven by port operations, oil & petrochemicals, aerospace, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
transloaded imports
petroleum products
recycled materials
aerospace components
machinery
cotton exports
What Seattle Receives
Seattle's technology, aerospace (boeing), e-commerce (amazon) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Long Beach.
containerized imports (Asia)
consumer electronics
automotive vehicles
construction materials
industrial machinery
food & beverage
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Long Beach 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.
$2,739-$3,376 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.
$3,631-$4,650 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$4,013-$5,415 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.
$901-$1,483 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Long Beach to Seattle lane (1,274 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,739-$3,376 | 23 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $901-$1,483 | 25-27 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $4,141-$5,733 | 15 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,720-$2,357 | 26-28 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Long Beach and Seattle that drive volume on this lane.
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
Amazon (HQ)
Boeing Everett/Renton
Microsoft (Redmond)
Shipping Tips for Long Beach to Seattle
Long Beach Seasonal Advisory
Peak import season runs August through November for holiday retail. The "blank sailing" period during Chinese New Year (January-February) creates a 3-4 week dip before the spring restocking wave.
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 1,274 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 23 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 Long Beach and Seattle — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Long Beach, CA
- Metro Population
- 475K city
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.40-$2.80/mi
- Key Highways
- I-710, I-405, SR-47
- Rail / Intermodal
- Pier B On-Dock Rail (UP/BNSF); ITS Terminal; TTI Terminal
- Port Access
- Port of Long Beach (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- North Long Beach, Carson/Dominguez, Signal Hill
“Long Beach's Clean Truck Program now requires all drayage trucks entering the port to meet 2010 or newer emission standards. The upcoming zero-emission mandate is already driving smaller drayage operators out of the market, concentrating volume with larger, better-capitalized fleets.”
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 Long Beach 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
Long Beach to Seattle Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Long Beach to Seattle?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Long Beach, CA to Seattle, WA currently range $2,739-$3,376 (roughly $2.17-$2.67 per mile over 1,274 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $901-$1,483 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 Long Beach to Seattle?
Standard FTL transit from Long Beach to Seattle is approximately 23 hrs by truck over 1,274 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 Pier B On-Dock Rail (UP/BNSF) to BNSF Seattle International Gateway takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Long Beach to Seattle freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Long Beach commonly ships transloaded imports, petroleum products, recycled materials, 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 Long Beach?
Strong backhaul (scored 73/100 based on Seattle's outbound commodity mix). Seattle generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Long Beach 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 Long Beach to Seattle?
The Long Beach-to-Seattle corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Long Beach's top outbound commodities include transloaded imports, petroleum products, recycled materials, aerospace components, machinery, cotton exports. Seattle's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (Asia), consumer electronics, automotive vehicles, construction materials, industrial machinery, food & beverage. Industries driving this lane include port operations and oil & petrochemicals from Long Beach and technology and aerospace (Boeing) in Seattle.
When are rates highest on the Long Beach to Seattle lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to port operations and oil & petrochemicals 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.
Get Exact Rates for Long Beach to Seattle
We maintain working relationships with 118+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Long Beach–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