Freight Shipping from Stockton to Seattle
Ship freight from Stockton, CA to Seattle, WA 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
Industrial Freight Lane
Stockton → Seattle Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
132–154
running this lane
Weekly Loads
82–102
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
80/100
Excellent
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$12–$21 one-way passing through CA, WA. 2 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Mon, Tue, Wed. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Stockton to Seattle Freight Corridor
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.
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 Stockton-to-Seattle corridor spans 869 miles via I-5. This lane connects agriculture and port logistics freight from the Stockton 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 Stockton
Stockton's economy is driven by agriculture, port logistics, warehousing & distribution, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
almonds & walnuts
fresh produce (asparagus, cherries)
canned goods
rice
wine grapes
dairy products
What Seattle Receives
Seattle's technology, aerospace (boeing), e-commerce (amazon) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Stockton.
containerized imports (Asia)
consumer electronics
automotive vehicles
construction materials
industrial machinery
food & beverage
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Stockton 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.
$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
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.
$678-$1,139 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Stockton to Seattle 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 Stockton and Seattle that drive volume on this lane.
Port of Stockton
Amazon SCK Fulfillment
Diamond Pet Foods
Amazon (HQ)
Boeing Everett/Renton
Microsoft (Redmond)
Shipping Tips for Stockton to Seattle
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).
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.
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 Stockton and Seattle — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
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.”
Destination
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.”
Return Loads from Seattle
Seattle is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Stockton typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Seattle
Seasonal Rate Patterns
May-Aug (produce season)
+12-18% on reefer capacity
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Stockton to Seattle Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Stockton to Seattle?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Stockton, CA to Seattle, WA currently range $1,868-$2,303 (roughly $2.15-$2.67 per mile over 869 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $678-$1,139 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently tight 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 Stockton to Seattle?
Standard FTL transit from Stockton to Seattle 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 Port of Stockton Intermodal (deepwater port) to BNSF Seattle International Gateway takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Stockton to Seattle freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Stockton commonly ships almonds & walnuts, fresh produce (asparagus, cherries), canned goods, 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 Stockton?
Excellent backhaul (scored 80/100 based on Seattle's outbound commodity mix). Seattle is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Stockton typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate. Seattle's top outbound commodities — aircraft & aerospace parts, software/cloud hardware, seafood (Alaska processing) — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Stockton to Seattle?
The Stockton-to-Seattle corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. Stockton's top outbound commodities include almonds & walnuts, fresh produce (asparagus, cherries), canned goods, rice, wine grapes, dairy 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 agriculture and port logistics from Stockton and technology and aerospace (Boeing) in Seattle.
When are rates highest on the Stockton to Seattle lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to agriculture and port logistics cycles. Key periods: May-Aug (produce season) (+12-18% on reefer capacity); Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Mon, Tue, Wed) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Stockton to Seattle
We maintain working relationships with 132+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Stockton–Seattle 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