Freight Shipping from Seattle to Modesto
Ship freight from Seattle, WA to Modesto, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,935-$2,385, LTL from $695-$1,165. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
900 mi
Drive Time
16 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,935-$2,385
LTL Rate Est.
$695-$1,165
Port Drayage Corridor
Seattle → Modesto Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
128–151
running this lane
Weekly Loads
84–101
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
60/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$13–$21 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, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Seattle to Modesto 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.
Modesto is the food and wine capital of the northern San Joaquin Valley. E. & J. Gallo Winery, the largest wine company in the world, is headquartered here and operates massive bottling, warehousing, and distribution operations that generate a continuous stream of temperature-controlled freight. Foster Farms' poultry processing headquarters in nearby Livingston creates daily reefer loads heading to grocery distribution centers across the West Coast. The surrounding farmland produces almonds, walnuts, and stone fruit that flow through Modesto's cold storage and processing facilities.
The Seattle-to-Modesto corridor spans 900 miles via I-5, I-90, SR-99, SR-132. This lane connects technology and aerospace (boeing) freight from the Seattle market to agriculture & food processing and wine production demand in Modesto. 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 Modesto Receives
Modesto's agriculture & food processing, wine production, dairy sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Seattle.
packaging materials
agricultural chemicals
consumer goods
fuel products
glass bottles (for wine)
food ingredients
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Seattle and Modesto, 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.
$1,935-$2,385 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.
$2,385-$3,015 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,835-$3,825 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.
$695-$1,165 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Seattle to Modesto lane (900 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,935-$2,385 | 16 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $695-$1,165 | 18-20 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,925-$4,050 | 11 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,215-$1,665 | 19-21 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Seattle and Modesto that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (HQ)
Boeing Everett/Renton
Microsoft (Redmond)
E. & J. Gallo Winery (HQ)
Foster Farms (HQ, Livingston)
Del Monte Foods
Shipping Tips for Seattle to Modesto
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.
Modesto Seasonal Advisory
Almond and walnut harvest (August-November) creates massive outbound freight demand. Wine bottling and shipments peak ahead of holiday seasons. Poultry processing runs year-round with modest Thanksgiving and Christmas surges. Stone fruit season (May-September) adds reefer demand.
Overnight Transit
This 900-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 Modesto — 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
Modesto, CA
- Metro Population
- 550K metro (Stanislaus County)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- SR-99, SR-132, SR-108
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Modesto Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- South Modesto/SR-99, Turlock/SR-99 South, Salida/SR-99 North
“Gallo Winery's distribution network is one of the most efficient in the beverage industry — carriers who earn preferred status access dedicated lanes with premium rates and predictable volumes. The key is meeting Gallo's strict on-time delivery requirements and temperature control standards for wine shipments.”
Return Loads from Modesto
Backhaul from Modesto to Seattle requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Modesto
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Seattle to Modesto Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Seattle to Modesto?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Seattle, WA to Modesto, CA currently range $1,935-$2,385 (roughly $2.18-$2.66 per mile over 900 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $695-$1,165 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 Modesto?
Standard FTL transit from Seattle to Modesto is approximately 16 hrs by truck over 900 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 Modesto Yard takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Seattle to Modesto 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. Modesto commonly receives packaging materials, agricultural chemicals, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Modesto to Seattle?
Moderate backhaul (scored 60/100 based on Modesto's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Modesto to Seattle requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Modesto's top outbound commodities — almonds & walnuts, wine & spirits, dairy products — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Seattle to Modesto?
The Seattle-to-Modesto 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. Modesto's primary inbound freight includes packaging materials, agricultural chemicals, consumer goods, fuel products, glass bottles (for wine), food ingredients. Industries driving this lane include technology and aerospace (Boeing) from Seattle and agriculture & food processing and wine production in Modesto.
When are rates highest on the Seattle to Modesto 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). 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 Modesto
We maintain working relationships with 128+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Seattle–Modesto 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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