Freight Shipping from Seattle to Fresno
Ship freight from Seattle, WA to Fresno, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,131-$2,626, LTL from $745-$1,242. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
991 mi
Drive Time
18 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,131-$2,626
LTL Rate Est.
$745-$1,242
Port Drayage Corridor
Seattle → Fresno Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
135–155
running this lane
Weekly Loads
194–207
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
55/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$14–$24 one-way passing through WA, CA. 2 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Seattle to Fresno Freight Corridor
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.
Fresno County is the single most productive agricultural county in the United States, and the city sits at the epicenter of a reefer freight machine that feeds the nation. Every major agricultural commodity — from grapes and citrus to dairy and nuts — ships from cold storage facilities clustered along SR-99. The BNSF intermodal facility connects Valley produce to transcontinental rail networks, but the vast majority moves by truck on the two-lane highways that crisscross the Valley floor.
The Seattle-to-Fresno corridor spans 991 miles via I-5, I-90, SR-99, SR-41. This lane connects technology and aerospace (boeing) freight from the Seattle market to agriculture and food processing demand in Fresno. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Seattle
Seattle's economy is driven by technology, aerospace (boeing), e-commerce (amazon), generating consistent outbound freight demand.
aircraft & aerospace parts
software/cloud hardware
seafood (Alaska processing)
agricultural exports (wheat, apples)
forest products
e-commerce shipments
What Fresno Receives
Fresno's agriculture, food processing, wine production sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Seattle.
agricultural chemicals
packaging materials
farm equipment
fuel & diesel
fertilizers
irrigation equipment
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Seattle and Fresno, 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.
$2,131-$2,626 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.
$2,626-$3,320 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,122-$4,212 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.
$745-$1,242 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Seattle to Fresno lane (991 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,131-$2,626 | 18 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $745-$1,242 | 20-22 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,221-$4,460 | 12 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,338-$1,833 | 21-23 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Seattle and Fresno that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (HQ)
Boeing Everett/Renton
Microsoft (Redmond)
Sun-Maid Growers
Producers Dairy
Zacky Farms
Shipping Tips for Seattle to Fresno
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.
Fresno Seasonal Advisory
Grape harvest (August-October) is the largest single event. Citrus runs November through April. There is no true "slow season" in Fresno if you haul reefer — something is always being harvested or processed.
Overnight Transit
This 991-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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Seattle and Fresno — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
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.”
Destination
Fresno, CA
- Metro Population
- 1.0M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- SR-99, SR-41, SR-180
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Fresno Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- South Fresno/SR-99 Corridor, Fresno Yosemite International Airport area
“Fresno's reefer market operates on agricultural cycles, not retail cycles. Carriers who understand the planting-to-harvest calendar for each commodity can position trucks weeks ahead of demand spikes and negotiate rates 15-20% above spot.”
Return Loads from Fresno
Backhaul from Fresno to Seattle requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Fresno
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Q4 general freight peak
+10-15% on all equipment
Feb post-holiday lull
-6-10% spot rates
Seattle to Fresno Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Seattle to Fresno?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Seattle, WA to Fresno, CA currently range $2,131-$2,626 (roughly $2.18-$2.68 per mile over 991 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $745-$1,242 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 Seattle to Fresno?
Standard FTL transit from Seattle to Fresno is approximately 18 hrs by truck over 991 miles, with 2 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 Seattle International Gateway to BNSF Fresno Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Seattle to Fresno freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Seattle commonly ships aircraft & aerospace parts, software/cloud hardware, seafood (Alaska processing), which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Fresno commonly receives agricultural chemicals, packaging materials, farm equipment. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Fresno to Seattle?
Moderate backhaul (scored 55/100 based on Fresno's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Fresno to Seattle requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Fresno's top outbound commodities — grapes & raisins, citrus fruits, tomatoes — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Seattle to Fresno?
The Seattle-to-Fresno corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Seattle's top outbound commodities include aircraft & aerospace parts, software/cloud hardware, seafood (Alaska processing), agricultural exports (wheat, apples), forest products, e-commerce shipments. Fresno's primary inbound freight includes agricultural chemicals, packaging materials, farm equipment, fuel & diesel, fertilizers, irrigation equipment. Industries driving this lane include technology and aerospace (Boeing) from Seattle and agriculture and food processing in Fresno.
When are rates highest on the Seattle to Fresno lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to technology and aerospace (Boeing) cycles. Key periods: Q4 general freight peak (+10-15% on all equipment); Feb post-holiday lull (-6-10% spot rates). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Seattle to Fresno
We maintain working relationships with 135+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Seattle–Fresno 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