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 Budget Range
$2,739-$3,376
LTL Budget Range
$901-$1,483
Distance is road-adjusted straight-line mileage; drive time assumes 55 mph average including stops. Budget ranges apply a $2.15–$2.65 per-mile dry van band to that distance. These are planning figures, not quotes — live pricing depends on your commodity, equipment, timing and the market that week.
What actually drives the price on Seattle → Long Beach
Mileage is the starting point, not the answer. Three things move a quote on this corridor more than distance does — what comes back the other way, what season you are shipping in, and what the route costs the driver to run.
Return freight — strong
Long Beach ships out transloaded imports, petroleum products, recycled materials — categories Seattle takes in — so a truck running this lane has a realistic shot at a paying return load rather than deadheading. That usually shows up as a slightly better forward rate, because the carrier is not pricing an empty trip back into your quote.
Seasonal pressure
- October-December. Retail peak. Dry van capacity tightens nationally ahead of the holidays — booking two or more weeks out is the difference between a normal rate and a scramble.
- July. Most auto plants take summer shutdown, so parts freight on this corridor drops off predictably for a few weeks and capacity loosens with it.
Cost of running it
Roughly $18–$30 in tolls one way, estimated from published commercial rates in WA, CA, plus about 3 fuel stops at a stop per 380 loaded miles. Exact routing and axle count will shift this.
Booking that saves money
Give more than 48 hours notice and avoid Friday-afternoon pickups. Those two habits save shippers more than negotiating does — a truck booked Tuesday for Thursday prices very differently from the same truck booked Friday morning for that afternoon.
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 ships out transloaded imports, petroleum products, recycled materials — categories Seattle takes in — so a truck running this lane has a realistic shot at a paying return load rather than deadheading. That usually shows up as a slightly better forward rate, because the carrier is not pricing an empty trip back into your quote.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Long Beach
Seasonal Rate Patterns
October-December
Retail peak. Dry van capacity tightens nationally ahead of the holidays — booking two or more weeks out is the difference between a normal rate and a scramble.
July
Most auto plants take summer shutdown, so parts freight on this corridor drops off predictably for a few weeks and capacity loosens with it.
Seattle to Long Beach Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Seattle to Long Beach?
As a planning figure, budget $2,739-$3,376 for a full truckload from Seattle, WA to Long Beach, CA. That is the 1,274-mile lane distance run against a $2.15-$2.65 per-mile dry van range, which is a broad industry band rather than a live quote for your freight. LTL lands roughly $901-$1,483 depending on freight class, weight and dimensions. Real pricing moves with fuel, season, equipment type and how much notice you give — a lane like this can quote well outside that band in a tight week. Send us the details and we will price it against what carriers are actually accepting right now.
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?
Long Beach ships out transloaded imports, petroleum products, recycled materials — categories Seattle takes in — so a truck running this lane has a realistic shot at a paying return load rather than deadheading. That usually shows up as a slightly better forward rate, because the carrier is not pricing an empty trip back into your quote. Why it matters to you as a shipper: backhaul is the single least visible input into your rate. Two lanes of identical mileage can quote hundreds of dollars apart purely because one has a return load waiting and the other does not.
What commodities move from Seattle to Long Beach?
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. The industries driving the lane are technology and aerospace (Boeing) on the Seattle end and port operations and oil & petrochemicals in Long Beach. That mix is what determines which trailer types run the corridor regularly — and a lane with steady demand for your equipment type is one where you will find a truck on short notice.
When are rates highest on the Seattle to Long Beach lane?
Rate pressure on this corridor follows the technology and aerospace (Boeing) calendar. October-December: Retail peak. Dry van capacity tightens nationally ahead of the holidays — booking two or more weeks out is the difference between a normal rate and a scramble. July: Most auto plants take summer shutdown, so parts freight on this corridor drops off predictably for a few weeks and capacity loosens with it. Two habits that help regardless of season — book mid-week rather than Friday afternoon, and give more than 48 hours notice. Last-minute Friday pickups are where shippers overpay most consistently.
Get Exact Rates for Seattle to Long Beach
Tell us what you are moving on the Seattle–Long Beach corridor and we will source an FMCSA-verified carrier that fits the commodity, the timing and the budget. We check authority, insurance and safety record before a truck is ever assigned to your freight. Free quote, no obligation.
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