Freight Shipping from Portland to Seattle
Ship freight from Portland, OR to Seattle, WA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $406-$501, LTL from $304-$561. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
189 mi
Drive Time
3 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$406-$501
LTL Rate Est.
$304-$561
Port Drayage Corridor
Portland → Seattle Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
185–201
running this lane
Weekly Loads
227–243
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
68/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$2–$4 one-way passing through OR, WA. 1 typical fuel stop 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.
Portland to Seattle Freight Corridor
Portland is the Pacific Northwest's primary freight gateway, where the Columbia River meets I-5 to create a powerful multimodal corridor. Intel's massive Hillsboro campus — the company's largest manufacturing site globally — generates a constant flow of high-value semiconductor shipments requiring climate-controlled and white-glove handling. Nike and Columbia Sportswear headquarters drive import-heavy container volumes through the Port of Portland's marine terminals.
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 Portland-to-Seattle corridor spans 189 miles via I-5. This lane connects semiconductors & electronics and sportswear & apparel freight from the Portland 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 Portland
Portland's economy is driven by semiconductors & electronics, sportswear & apparel, forestry & wood products, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
semiconductors (Intel)
athletic footwear & apparel
lumber & timber
craft beer & wine
processed foods
electronic equipment
What Seattle Receives
Seattle's technology, aerospace (boeing), e-commerce (amazon) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Portland.
containerized imports (Asia)
consumer electronics
automotive vehicles
construction materials
industrial machinery
food & beverage
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Portland 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.
$406-$501 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.
$501-$633 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.
$539-$690 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.
$304-$561 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Portland to Seattle lane (189 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $406-$501 | 3 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $304-$561 | 5-7 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $614-$851 | 2 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Portland and Seattle that drive volume on this lane.
Intel (Hillsboro Campus)
Nike (HQ, Beaverton)
Columbia Sportswear (HQ)
Amazon (HQ)
Boeing Everett/Renton
Microsoft (Redmond)
Shipping Tips for Portland to Seattle
Portland Seasonal Advisory
Lumber shipments peak April through October during construction season. Holiday retail imports surge August through November. Intel production runs year-round, though new product launches can spike shipment volumes unpredictably.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 189 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
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 Portland and Seattle — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Portland, OR
- Metro Population
- 2.5M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.30-$2.70/mi
- Key Highways
- I-5, I-84, I-205
- Rail / Intermodal
- Union Pacific Brooklyn Yard; BNSF Lake Yard
- Port Access
- Port of Portland (Columbia River, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Rivergate Industrial District, Tualatin/I-5 South, Clackamas/I-205 Corridor
“The I-5 corridor between Portland and Seattle is one of the most heavily trafficked freight lanes on the West Coast. Carriers who specialize in this 175-mile lane can run two round trips per day, making it one of the most productive short-haul routes in the country.”
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 Portland 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
Portland to Seattle Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Portland to Seattle?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Portland, OR to Seattle, WA currently range $406-$501 (roughly $2.17-$2.67 per mile over 189 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $304-$561 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 Portland to Seattle?
Standard FTL transit from Portland to Seattle is approximately 3 hrs by truck over 189 miles, with 1 typical fuel stop 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%.
What equipment do I need for Portland to Seattle freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Portland commonly ships semiconductors (Intel), athletic footwear & apparel, lumber & timber, 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 Portland?
Strong backhaul (scored 68/100 based on Seattle's outbound commodity mix). Seattle generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Portland 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 Portland to Seattle?
The Portland-to-Seattle corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Portland's top outbound commodities include semiconductors (Intel), athletic footwear & apparel, lumber & timber, craft beer & wine, processed foods, electronic 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 semiconductors & electronics and sportswear & apparel from Portland and technology and aerospace (Boeing) in Seattle.
When are rates highest on the Portland to Seattle lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to semiconductors & electronics and sportswear & apparel 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.
Can freight from Portland to Seattle be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 189 miles (3 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Portland-to-Seattle lane in one shift. Same-day delivery requires booking before 9 AM local time at origin and confirming dock availability at destination. Expedited service runs 3 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Portland to Seattle
We maintain working relationships with 185+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Portland–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