Freight Shipping from San Francisco to Seattle
Ship freight from San Francisco, CA to Seattle, WA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,898-$2,340, LTL from $686-$1,151. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
883 mi
Drive Time
16 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,898-$2,340
LTL Rate Est.
$686-$1,151
San Francisco to Seattle Freight Corridor
San Francisco's freight economy is driven by the highest-value-per-pound commodities in the country. Biotech shipments from the South San Francisco corridor require validated cold chain logistics, while tech companies demand white-glove, high-security transport for prototype hardware and server equipment. The constrained geography of the peninsula limits warehouse space, pushing most distribution operations across the bay to Oakland or south to San Jose.
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 San Francisco-to-Seattle corridor spans 883 miles via I-80, US-101, I-5, I-90. This lane connects technology and biotechnology freight from the San Francisco 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 San Francisco
San Francisco's economy is driven by technology, biotechnology, financial services, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
tech hardware & servers
biotech pharmaceuticals
wine & spirits
specialty foods
medical devices
lab equipment
What Seattle Receives
Seattle's technology, aerospace (boeing), e-commerce (amazon) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like San Francisco.
containerized imports (Asia)
consumer electronics
automotive vehicles
construction materials
industrial machinery
food & beverage
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between San Francisco 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.
$1,898-$2,340 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.
$2,340-$2,958 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.
$2,517-$3,223 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.
$686-$1,151 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the San Francisco to Seattle lane (883 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,898-$2,340 | 16 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $686-$1,151 | 18-20 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,870-$3,974 | 11 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,192-$1,634 | 19-21 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both San Francisco and Seattle that drive volume on this lane.
Salesforce
Genentech
McKesson
Amazon (HQ)
Boeing Everett/Renton
Microsoft (Redmond)
Shipping Tips for San Francisco to Seattle
San Francisco Seasonal Advisory
Wine harvest (August-October) from Napa and Sonoma valleys creates seasonal reefer and temperature-controlled demand. Tech company product launches (often September-October) drive spikes in white-glove shipments.
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 883-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.
San Francisco to Seattle Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from San Francisco to Seattle?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from San Francisco, CA to Seattle, WA currently range from $1,898-$2,340 for a standard dry van load over the 883-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $686-$1,151 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 San Francisco to Seattle?
Standard FTL transit from San Francisco to Seattle is approximately 16 hrs by truck over 883 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 San Francisco to Seattle freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. San Francisco commonly ships tech hardware & servers, biotech pharmaceuticals, wine & spirits, 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 San Francisco?
Yes. Seattle is a strong outbound market shipping aircraft & aerospace parts, software/cloud hardware, seafood (Alaska processing). Carriers returning from Seattle to San Francisco can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the San Francisco-to-Seattle lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from San Francisco to Seattle?
The San Francisco-to-Seattle corridor handles a diverse freight mix. San Francisco's top outbound commodities include tech hardware & servers, biotech pharmaceuticals, wine & spirits, specialty foods, medical devices, lab 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 technology and biotechnology from San Francisco and technology and aerospace (Boeing) in Seattle.
Get Exact Rates for San Francisco to Seattle
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