Freight Shipping from Seattle to St. Louis
Ship freight from Seattle, WA to St. Louis, MO with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,807-$5,925, LTL from $1,430-$2,301. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,236 mi
Drive Time
41 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,807-$5,925
LTL Rate Est.
$1,430-$2,301
Seattle to St. Louis 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.
St. Louis sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, making it a natural multimodal freight hub where barge, rail, and truck converge. Anheuser-Busch's flagship brewery ships millions of cases weekly on dedicated lane networks. Boeing's defense division in north St. Louis County produces F/A-18 and F-15 fighter jets, generating oversize military cargo requiring specialized flatbed carriers.
The Seattle-to-St. Louis corridor spans 2,236 miles via I-5, I-90, I-70, I-64. This lane connects technology and aerospace (boeing) freight from the Seattle market to beer & beverage and agriculture & food demand in St. Louis. 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 St. Louis Receives
St. Louis's beer & beverage, agriculture & food, defense & aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Seattle.
raw grain & barley
aluminum cans & packaging
auto parts
consumer goods
industrial chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Seattle and St. Louis, 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.
$4,807-$5,925 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.
$5,925-$7,491 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$7,043-$9,503 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.
$1,430-$2,301 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Seattle to St. Louis lane (2,236 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,807-$5,925 | 41 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,430-$2,301 | 43-45 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $7,267-$10,062 | 27 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $3,019-$4,137 | 44-46 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Seattle and St. Louis that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (HQ)
Boeing Everett/Renton
Microsoft (Redmond)
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Boeing Defense
General Motors (Wentzville)
Shipping Tips for Seattle to St. Louis
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.
St. Louis Seasonal Advisory
Beer shipments surge before major holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Super Bowl). Mississippi River flooding in spring can shut down river terminals and divert barge freight to trucks, causing temporary rate spikes.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,236 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 41 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.
Seattle to St. Louis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Seattle to St. Louis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Seattle, WA to St. Louis, MO currently range from $4,807-$5,925 for a standard dry van load over the 2,236-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $1,430-$2,301 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Request a custom quote for exact pricing based on your specific shipment details.
How long does freight take from Seattle to St. Louis?
Standard FTL transit from Seattle to St. Louis is approximately 41 hrs by truck over 2,236 miles. 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 takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Seattle to St. Louis 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. St. Louis commonly receives raw grain & barley, aluminum cans & packaging, auto parts. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from St. Louis to Seattle?
Yes. St. Louis is a strong outbound market shipping beer & beverages, processed foods, defense equipment. Carriers returning from St. Louis to Seattle can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Seattle-to-St. Louis lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Seattle to St. Louis?
The Seattle-to-St. Louis corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Seattle's top outbound commodities include aircraft & aerospace parts, software/cloud hardware, seafood (Alaska processing), agricultural exports (wheat, apples), forest products, e-commerce shipments. St. Louis's primary inbound freight includes raw grain & barley, aluminum cans & packaging, auto parts, consumer goods, industrial chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include technology and aerospace (Boeing) from Seattle and beer & beverage and agriculture & food in St. Louis.
Get Exact Rates for Seattle to St. Louis
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Seattle to St. Louis lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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