Freight Shipping from St. Louis to Seattle
Ship freight from St. Louis, MO to Seattle, WA 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
St. Louis to Seattle 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.
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.
The St. Louis-to-Seattle corridor spans 2,236 miles via I-70, I-64, I-5, I-90. This lane connects beer & beverage and agriculture & food freight from the St. Louis market to technology and aerospace (boeing) demand in Seattle. 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 Seattle Receives
Seattle's technology, aerospace (boeing), e-commerce (amazon) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like St. Louis.
containerized imports (Asia)
consumer electronics
automotive vehicles
construction materials
industrial machinery
food & beverage
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between St. Louis and Seattle, 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
Flatbed
Best for steel, lumber, machinery, building materials, and oversized loads that cannot be palletized or loaded through standard dock doors.
$6,373-$8,161 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
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the St. Louis to Seattle 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 St. Louis and Seattle that drive volume on this lane.
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Boeing Defense
General Motors (Wentzville)
Amazon (HQ)
Boeing Everett/Renton
Microsoft (Redmond)
Shipping Tips for St. Louis to Seattle
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.
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.
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.
St. Louis to Seattle Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from St. Louis to Seattle?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from St. Louis, MO to Seattle, WA 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 St. Louis to Seattle?
Standard FTL transit from St. Louis to Seattle 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 St. Louis to Seattle 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. Seattle commonly receives containerized imports (Asia), consumer electronics, automotive vehicles. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Seattle to St. Louis?
Yes. Seattle is a strong outbound market shipping aircraft & aerospace parts, software/cloud hardware, seafood (Alaska processing). Carriers returning from Seattle to St. Louis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the St. Louis-to-Seattle lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from St. Louis to Seattle?
The St. Louis-to-Seattle corridor handles a diverse freight mix. St. Louis's top outbound commodities include beer & beverages, processed foods, defense equipment, vehicles (GM), chemicals, grain products. Seattle's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (Asia), consumer electronics, automotive vehicles, construction materials, industrial machinery, food & beverage. Industries driving this lane include beer & beverage and agriculture & food from St. Louis and technology and aerospace (Boeing) in Seattle.
Get Exact Rates for St. Louis to Seattle
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