Freight Shipping from St. Louis to Kent
Ship freight from St. Louis, MO to Kent, WA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,788-$5,902, LTL from $1,425-$2,293. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,227 mi
Drive Time
40 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,788-$5,902
LTL Rate Est.
$1,425-$2,293
St. Louis to Kent Freight Corridor
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.
Kent sits in the heart of the Green River Valley, home to the largest warehouse and distribution concentration in the Pacific Northwest. Over 60 million square feet of industrial space lines the valley floor, housing Amazon fulfillment centers, Blue Origin's rocket manufacturing campus, and REI's national headquarters. The valley's proximity to both the Port of Tacoma and Sea-Tac Airport makes it the natural transload point for imported goods entering the Pacific Northwest.
The St. Louis-to-Kent corridor spans 2,227 miles via I-70, I-64, I-5, SR-167. This lane connects beer & beverage and agriculture & food freight from the St. Louis market to warehousing & distribution and aerospace manufacturing demand in Kent. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from St. Louis
St. Louis's economy is driven by beer & beverage, agriculture & food, defense & aerospace, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
beer & beverages
processed foods
defense equipment
vehicles (GM)
chemicals
grain products
What Kent Receives
Kent's warehousing & distribution, aerospace manufacturing, food processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like St. Louis.
containerized imports (via Port of Tacoma)
raw materials
packaging supplies
food ingredients
consumer goods
fuel products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between St. Louis and Kent, 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.
$4,788-$5,902 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.
$5,902-$7,460 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$7,015-$9,465 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.
$1,425-$2,293 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the St. Louis to Kent lane (2,227 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,788-$5,902 | 40 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,425-$2,293 | 42-44 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $7,238-$10,022 | 27 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $3,006-$4,120 | 43-45 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both St. Louis and Kent that drive volume on this lane.
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Boeing Defense
General Motors (Wentzville)
Amazon Kent Fulfillment (BFI4/BFI3)
Blue Origin (HQ)
REI Co-op (HQ)
Shipping Tips for St. Louis to Kent
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.
Kent Seasonal Advisory
Amazon fulfillment drives massive Q4 holiday surges (October-December). Blue Origin rocket component shipments are irregular but high-value. REI seasonal inventory peaks align with outdoor recreation seasons — spring gear (February-March) and winter gear (August-September).
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,227 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 40 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.
St. Louis to Kent Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from St. Louis to Kent?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from St. Louis, MO to Kent, WA currently range from $4,788-$5,902 for a standard dry van load over the 2,227-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $1,425-$2,293 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 St. Louis to Kent?
Standard FTL transit from St. Louis to Kent is approximately 40 hrs by truck over 2,227 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 St. Louis to Kent freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. St. Louis commonly ships beer & beverages, processed foods, defense equipment, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Kent commonly receives containerized imports (via Port of Tacoma), raw materials, packaging supplies. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Kent to St. Louis?
Yes. Kent is a strong outbound market shipping e-commerce shipments, aerospace components, processed foods. Carriers returning from Kent to St. Louis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the St. Louis-to-Kent lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from St. Louis to Kent?
The St. Louis-to-Kent corridor handles a diverse freight mix. St. Louis's top outbound commodities include beer & beverages, processed foods, defense equipment, vehicles (GM), chemicals, grain products. Kent's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (via Port of Tacoma), raw materials, packaging supplies, food ingredients, consumer goods, fuel products. Industries driving this lane include beer & beverage and agriculture & food from St. Louis and warehousing & distribution and aerospace manufacturing in Kent.
Get Exact Rates for St. Louis to Kent
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the St. Louis to Kent lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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