Freight Shipping from Modesto to Seattle
Ship freight from Modesto, CA to Seattle, WA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,935-$2,385, LTL from $695-$1,165. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
900 mi
Drive Time
16 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,935-$2,385
LTL Rate Est.
$695-$1,165
Modesto to Seattle Freight Corridor
Modesto is the food and wine capital of the northern San Joaquin Valley. E. & J. Gallo Winery, the largest wine company in the world, is headquartered here and operates massive bottling, warehousing, and distribution operations that generate a continuous stream of temperature-controlled freight. Foster Farms' poultry processing headquarters in nearby Livingston creates daily reefer loads heading to grocery distribution centers across the West Coast. The surrounding farmland produces almonds, walnuts, and stone fruit that flow through Modesto's cold storage and processing facilities.
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 Modesto-to-Seattle corridor spans 900 miles via SR-99, SR-132, I-5, I-90. This lane connects agriculture & food processing and wine production freight from the Modesto 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 Modesto
Modesto's economy is driven by agriculture & food processing, wine production, dairy, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
almonds & walnuts
wine & spirits
dairy products
canned fruit & vegetables
poultry products
processed tomatoes
What Seattle Receives
Seattle's technology, aerospace (boeing), e-commerce (amazon) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Modesto.
containerized imports (Asia)
consumer electronics
automotive vehicles
construction materials
industrial machinery
food & beverage
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Modesto 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.
$1,935-$2,385 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.
$2,385-$3,015 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.
$2,565-$3,285 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.
$695-$1,165 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Modesto to Seattle lane (900 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,935-$2,385 | 16 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $695-$1,165 | 18-20 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,925-$4,050 | 11 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,215-$1,665 | 19-21 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Modesto and Seattle that drive volume on this lane.
E. & J. Gallo Winery (HQ)
Foster Farms (HQ, Livingston)
Del Monte Foods
Amazon (HQ)
Boeing Everett/Renton
Microsoft (Redmond)
Shipping Tips for Modesto to Seattle
Modesto Seasonal Advisory
Almond and walnut harvest (August-November) creates massive outbound freight demand. Wine bottling and shipments peak ahead of holiday seasons. Poultry processing runs year-round with modest Thanksgiving and Christmas surges. Stone fruit season (May-September) adds reefer demand.
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.
Overnight Transit
This 900-mile route typically requires one overnight stop for a solo driver. Schedule pickup before noon for next-day delivery in most cases.
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.
Modesto to Seattle Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Modesto to Seattle?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Modesto, CA to Seattle, WA currently range from $1,935-$2,385 for a standard dry van load over the 900-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $695-$1,165 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 Modesto to Seattle?
Standard FTL transit from Modesto to Seattle is approximately 16 hrs by truck over 900 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Modesto to Seattle freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Modesto commonly ships almonds & walnuts, wine & spirits, dairy products, 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 Modesto?
Yes. Seattle is a strong outbound market shipping aircraft & aerospace parts, software/cloud hardware, seafood (Alaska processing). Carriers returning from Seattle to Modesto can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Modesto-to-Seattle lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Modesto to Seattle?
The Modesto-to-Seattle corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Modesto's top outbound commodities include almonds & walnuts, wine & spirits, dairy products, canned fruit & vegetables, poultry products, processed tomatoes. Seattle's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (Asia), consumer electronics, automotive vehicles, construction materials, industrial machinery, food & beverage. Industries driving this lane include agriculture & food processing and wine production from Modesto and technology and aerospace (Boeing) in Seattle.
Get Exact Rates for Modesto to Seattle
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Modesto to Seattle lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts