Freight Shipping from Seattle to Long Beach
Ship freight from Seattle, WA to Long Beach, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,739-$3,376, LTL from $901-$1,483. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,274 mi
Drive Time
23 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,739-$3,376
LTL Rate Est.
$901-$1,483
Consumer Goods Corridor
Seattle → Long Beach Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
126–143
running this lane
Weekly Loads
106–125
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
85/100
Excellent
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$18–$30 one-way passing through WA, CA. 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.
Seattle to Long Beach 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.
The Port of Long Beach, paired with the adjacent Port of Los Angeles, forms the San Pedro Bay complex that handles nearly half of all US maritime imports. Long Beach itself has invested billions in on-dock rail infrastructure, allowing containers to move directly from ship to train without a truck dray, though the majority still leave by truck on the notoriously congested I-710. The city's zero-emission truck mandates are reshaping drayage economics as carriers invest in electric and hydrogen-powered equipment.
The Seattle-to-Long Beach corridor spans 1,274 miles via I-405. This lane connects technology and aerospace (boeing) freight from the Seattle market to port operations and oil & petrochemicals demand in Long Beach. 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 Long Beach Receives
Long Beach's port operations, oil & petrochemicals, aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Seattle.
containerized consumer goods
electronics
furniture
auto parts
textiles
toys & housewares
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Seattle and Long Beach, 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.
$2,739-$3,376 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.
$3,376-$4,268 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.
$901-$1,483 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Seattle to Long Beach lane (1,274 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,739-$3,376 | 23 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $901-$1,483 | 25-27 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $4,141-$5,733 | 15 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,720-$2,357 | 26-28 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Seattle and Long Beach that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (HQ)
Boeing Everett/Renton
Microsoft (Redmond)
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
Shipping Tips for Seattle to Long Beach
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.
Long Beach Seasonal Advisory
Peak import season runs August through November for holiday retail. The "blank sailing" period during Chinese New Year (January-February) creates a 3-4 week dip before the spring restocking wave.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,274 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 23 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 Seattle and Long Beach — 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
Long Beach, CA
- Metro Population
- 475K city
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.40-$2.80/mi
- Key Highways
- I-710, I-405, SR-47
- Rail / Intermodal
- Pier B On-Dock Rail (UP/BNSF); ITS Terminal; TTI Terminal
- Port Access
- Port of Long Beach (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- North Long Beach, Carson/Dominguez, Signal Hill
“Long Beach's Clean Truck Program now requires all drayage trucks entering the port to meet 2010 or newer emission standards. The upcoming zero-emission mandate is already driving smaller drayage operators out of the market, concentrating volume with larger, better-capitalized fleets.”
Return Loads from Long Beach
Long Beach is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Seattle typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Long Beach
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Seattle to Long Beach Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Seattle to Long Beach?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Seattle, WA to Long Beach, CA currently range $2,739-$3,376 (roughly $2.15-$2.67 per mile over 1,274 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $901-$1,483 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 Seattle to Long Beach?
Standard FTL transit from Seattle to Long Beach is approximately 23 hrs by truck over 1,274 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 Seattle International Gateway to Pier B On-Dock Rail (UP/BNSF) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Seattle to Long Beach 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. Long Beach commonly receives containerized consumer goods, electronics, furniture. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Long Beach to Seattle?
Excellent backhaul (scored 85/100 based on Long Beach's outbound commodity mix). Long Beach is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Seattle typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate. Long Beach's top outbound commodities — transloaded imports, petroleum products, recycled materials — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Seattle to Long Beach?
The Seattle-to-Long Beach corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods 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. Long Beach's primary inbound freight includes containerized consumer goods, electronics, furniture, auto parts, textiles, toys & housewares. Industries driving this lane include technology and aerospace (Boeing) from Seattle and port operations and oil & petrochemicals in Long Beach.
When are rates highest on the Seattle to Long Beach lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to technology and aerospace (Boeing) cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable). 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 Seattle to Long Beach
We maintain working relationships with 126+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Seattle–Long Beach 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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