Freight Shipping from Seattle to San Francisco
Ship freight from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA 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
Fresh Food Lane
Seattle → San Francisco Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
144–166
running this lane
Weekly Loads
189–207
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.65
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 San Francisco 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.
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.
The Seattle-to-San Francisco corridor spans 883 miles via I-5, I-90, I-80, US-101. This lane connects technology and aerospace (boeing) freight from the Seattle market to technology and biotechnology demand in San Francisco. 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 San Francisco Receives
San Francisco's technology, biotechnology, financial services sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Seattle.
server equipment
office furniture
construction materials
consumer goods
lab supplies
imported foods
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Seattle and San Francisco, 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 Seattle to San Francisco 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 Seattle and San Francisco that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (HQ)
Boeing Everett/Renton
Microsoft (Redmond)
Salesforce
Genentech
McKesson
Shipping Tips for Seattle to San Francisco
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.
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.
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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Seattle and San Francisco — 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
San Francisco, CA
- Metro Population
- 4.7M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.55-$2.95/mi
- Key Highways
- I-80, US-101, I-280
- Rail / Intermodal
- UP Oakland Intermodal
- Port Access
- Port of Oakland (10 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- South San Francisco biotech corridor, Brisbane/Bayshore
“San Francisco proper has some of the most restrictive truck access regulations in the US. Many downtown deliveries require box trucks or smaller, and certain streets ban commercial vehicles entirely during peak hours. Last-mile costs here can be triple the national average.”
Return Loads from San Francisco
Backhaul from San Francisco to Seattle requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from San Francisco
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Seattle to San Francisco Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Seattle to San Francisco?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA currently range $1,898-$2,340 (roughly $2.16-$2.65 per mile over 883 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $686-$1,151 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 San Francisco?
Standard FTL transit from Seattle to San Francisco is approximately 16 hrs by truck over 883 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 UP Oakland Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Seattle to San Francisco 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. San Francisco commonly receives server equipment, office furniture, construction materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from San Francisco to Seattle?
Moderate backhaul (scored 60/100 based on San Francisco's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from San Francisco to Seattle requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. San Francisco's top outbound commodities — tech hardware & servers, biotech pharmaceuticals, wine & spirits — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Seattle to San Francisco?
The Seattle-to-San Francisco corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. Seattle's top outbound commodities include aircraft & aerospace parts, software/cloud hardware, seafood (Alaska processing), agricultural exports (wheat, apples), forest products, e-commerce shipments. San Francisco's primary inbound freight includes server equipment, office furniture, construction materials, consumer goods, lab supplies, imported foods. Industries driving this lane include technology and aerospace (Boeing) from Seattle and technology and biotechnology in San Francisco.
When are rates highest on the Seattle to San Francisco 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); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). 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 San Francisco
We maintain working relationships with 144+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Seattle–San Francisco 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