Freight Shipping from Los Angeles to Kent
Ship freight from Los Angeles, CA to Kent, WA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,660-$3,278, LTL from $880-$1,451. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,237 mi
Drive Time
22 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,660-$3,278
LTL Rate Est.
$880-$1,451
Port Drayage Corridor
Los Angeles → Kent Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
109–133
running this lane
Weekly Loads
86–102
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
74/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$18–$29 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.
Los Angeles to Kent Freight Corridor
The Los Angeles basin is the undisputed freight capital of the Western Hemisphere. The San Pedro Bay port complex (LA + Long Beach) handles 40% of all US containerized imports, generating a tidal wave of drayage and long-haul freight that radiates outward on I-10, I-15, and I-5. The Inland Empire east of LA has become the largest warehouse market in the world, with over 600 million square feet of distribution space absorbing and redistributing Asian imports to every corner of the country.
Kent sits in the heart of the Green River Valley, home to the largest warehouse and distribution concentration in the Pacific Northwest. Over 60 million square feet of industrial space lines the valley floor, housing Amazon fulfillment centers, Blue Origin's rocket manufacturing campus, and REI's national headquarters. The valley's proximity to both the Port of Tacoma and Sea-Tac Airport makes it the natural transload point for imported goods entering the Pacific Northwest.
The Los Angeles-to-Kent corridor spans 1,237 miles via I-5. This lane connects entertainment & media and international trade freight from the Los Angeles market to warehousing & distribution and aerospace manufacturing demand in Kent. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Los Angeles
Los Angeles's economy is driven by entertainment & media, international trade, aerospace, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
containerized imports (re-distribution)
entertainment equipment
apparel & fashion
aerospace components
processed foods
electronics
What Kent Receives
Kent's warehousing & distribution, aerospace manufacturing, food processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Los Angeles.
containerized imports (via Port of Tacoma)
raw materials
packaging supplies
food ingredients
consumer goods
fuel products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Los Angeles and Kent, 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.
$2,660-$3,278 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.
$880-$1,451 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Los Angeles to Kent lane (1,237 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,660-$3,278 | 22 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $880-$1,451 | 24-26 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $4,020-$5,567 | 15 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,670-$2,288 | 25-27 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Los Angeles and Kent that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (15+ facilities)
Target (import DC)
Nike Distribution
Amazon Kent Fulfillment (BFI4/BFI3)
Blue Origin (HQ)
REI Co-op (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Los Angeles to Kent
Los Angeles Seasonal Advisory
Import surge begins in August for holiday retail season, peaking in October-November. Chinese New Year (January-February) creates a brief lull followed by a restocking wave in March.
Kent Seasonal Advisory
Amazon fulfillment drives massive Q4 holiday surges (October-December). Blue Origin rocket component shipments are irregular but high-value. REI seasonal inventory peaks align with outdoor recreation seasons — spring gear (February-March) and winter gear (August-September).
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,237 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 22 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 Los Angeles and Kent — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Los Angeles, CA
- Metro Population
- 13.2M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.45-$2.85/mi
- Key Highways
- I-5, I-10, I-710
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Hobart Yard (Commerce); UP ICTF (Wilmington); UP East LA Intermodal
- Port Access
- Port of Los Angeles (20 mi) / Port of Long Beach (22 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Inland Empire (Ontario/Riverside), Commerce/Vernon, Carson/Compton
“The I-710 corridor from the ports to the intermodal yards in Commerce is the most heavily trucked stretch of highway in America. Container drayage rates fluctuate wildly based on port congestion — chassis availability can add $100-200 per container in detention charges during peak seasons.”
Destination
Kent, WA
- Metro Population
- 137K city (part of Seattle metro)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-5, SR-167, SR-516
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Auburn Yard (adjacent)
- Warehouse Districts
- Kent Valley Industrial (Green River), East Hill/SR-167, Auburn/I-5 South
“Kent Valley is the single best place in the Pacific Northwest to find outbound loads. The density of fulfillment centers and distribution warehouses means carriers can often find same-day loads without repositioning, making it the preferred staging area for owner-operators working the Seattle market.”
Return Loads from Kent
Kent generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Los Angeles is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Kent
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Los Angeles to Kent Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Los Angeles to Kent?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Los Angeles, CA to Kent, WA currently range $2,660-$3,278 (roughly $2.17-$2.65 per mile over 1,237 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $880-$1,451 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 Los Angeles to Kent?
Standard FTL transit from Los Angeles to Kent is approximately 22 hrs by truck over 1,237 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 BNSF Hobart Yard (Commerce) to BNSF Auburn Yard (adjacent) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Los Angeles to Kent freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Los Angeles commonly ships containerized imports (re-distribution), entertainment equipment, apparel & fashion, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Kent commonly receives containerized imports (via Port of Tacoma), raw materials, packaging supplies. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Kent to Los Angeles?
Strong backhaul (scored 74/100 based on Kent's outbound commodity mix). Kent generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Los Angeles is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Kent's top outbound commodities — e-commerce shipments, aerospace components, processed foods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Los Angeles to Kent?
The Los Angeles-to-Kent corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Los Angeles's top outbound commodities include containerized imports (re-distribution), entertainment equipment, apparel & fashion, aerospace components, processed foods, electronics. Kent's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (via Port of Tacoma), raw materials, packaging supplies, food ingredients, consumer goods, fuel products. Industries driving this lane include entertainment & media and international trade from Los Angeles and warehousing & distribution and aerospace manufacturing in Kent.
When are rates highest on the Los Angeles to Kent lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to entertainment & media and international trade cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out). 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 Los Angeles to Kent
We maintain working relationships with 109+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Los Angeles–Kent corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
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