Freight Shipping from Seattle to Stockton
Ship freight from Seattle, WA to Stockton, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,868-$2,303, LTL from $678-$1,139. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
869 mi
Drive Time
16 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,868-$2,303
LTL Rate Est.
$678-$1,139
Consumer Goods Corridor
Seattle → Stockton Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
134–148
running this lane
Weekly Loads
90–102
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
58/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$12–$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 Stockton 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.
Stockton combines California's Central Valley agriculture with a deep-water port and a rapidly growing warehouse district that serves as overflow for the congested Bay Area. The Port of Stockton — California's only inland deep-water port — handles bulk commodities that feed the Valley's agricultural economy. The city's position at the junction of I-5 and SR-99 makes it the natural freight gateway between the Bay Area and the southern Central Valley. Amazon's fulfillment presence has accelerated the transformation of former agricultural land into modern distribution space.
The Seattle-to-Stockton corridor spans 869 miles via I-5. This lane connects technology and aerospace (boeing) freight from the Seattle market to agriculture and port logistics demand in Stockton. 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 Stockton Receives
Stockton's agriculture, port logistics, warehousing & distribution sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Seattle.
consumer goods
building materials
fertilizers & agricultural chemicals
packaging materials
fuel products
imported goods (via port)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Seattle and Stockton, 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.
$1,868-$2,303 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.
$2,303-$2,911 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.
$2,477-$3,172 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,737-$3,693 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Seattle to Stockton lane (869 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,868-$2,303 | 16 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $678-$1,139 | 18-20 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,824-$3,911 | 11 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,173-$1,608 | 19-21 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Seattle and Stockton that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (HQ)
Boeing Everett/Renton
Microsoft (Redmond)
Port of Stockton
Amazon SCK Fulfillment
Diamond Pet Foods
Shipping Tips for Seattle to Stockton
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.
Stockton Seasonal Advisory
Cherry and asparagus harvest (April-June) kicks off the produce season, followed by almonds (August-October) and walnuts (September-November). Amazon fulfillment peaks in Q4. Port activity is year-round but increases during grain export season (late summer through fall).
Overnight Transit
This 869-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 Stockton — 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
Stockton, CA
- Metro Population
- 780K metro (San Joaquin County)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-5, SR-99, SR-4
- Rail / Intermodal
- Port of Stockton Intermodal (deepwater port); BNSF Stockton Yard
- Port Access
- Port of Stockton (San Joaquin River deep-water, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Arch Road/SR-99 South, Port of Stockton/Navy Drive, French Camp/I-5
“Stockton is the secret weapon for carriers who want Bay Area rates without Bay Area congestion. Many shippers have relocated distribution to Stockton for lower costs, and loads originating here often pay Bay Area rates since they serve the same end markets. The trick is avoiding SR-4 during commute hours.”
Return Loads from Stockton
Backhaul from Stockton to Seattle requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Stockton
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 Stockton Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Seattle to Stockton?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Seattle, WA to Stockton, CA currently range $1,868-$2,303 (roughly $2.16-$2.65 per mile over 869 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $678-$1,139 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 Stockton?
Standard FTL transit from Seattle to Stockton is approximately 16 hrs by truck over 869 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 Port of Stockton Intermodal (deepwater port) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Seattle to Stockton 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. Stockton commonly receives consumer goods, building materials, fertilizers & agricultural chemicals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Stockton to Seattle?
Moderate backhaul (scored 58/100 based on Stockton's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Stockton to Seattle requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Stockton's top outbound commodities — almonds & walnuts, fresh produce (asparagus, cherries), canned goods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Seattle to Stockton?
The Seattle-to-Stockton 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. Stockton's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, building materials, fertilizers & agricultural chemicals, packaging materials, fuel products, imported goods (via port). Industries driving this lane include technology and aerospace (Boeing) from Seattle and agriculture and port logistics in Stockton.
When are rates highest on the Seattle to Stockton 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 Stockton
We maintain working relationships with 134+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Seattle–Stockton 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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