Freight Shipping from Tulsa to Seattle
Ship freight from Tulsa, OK to Seattle, WA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,354-$5,366, LTL from $1,314-$2,121. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,025 mi
Drive Time
37 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,354-$5,366
LTL Rate Est.
$1,314-$2,121
Auto Manufacturing Corridor
Tulsa → Seattle Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
81–106
running this lane
Weekly Loads
195–215
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
69/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$23–$39 one-way passing through OK, WA, NM. 5 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.
Tulsa to Seattle Freight Corridor
Tulsa is the aerospace maintenance capital of the central U.S., with American Airlines operating its largest MRO facility here — capable of servicing widebody aircraft. The Port of Catoosa, America's most inland river port, connects Tulsa to the Gulf of Mexico via the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, enabling barge-to-truck transloading for heavy industrial freight. The city's legacy oil refining infrastructure creates steady tanker and hazmat volumes.
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 Tulsa-to-Seattle corridor spans 2,025 miles via I-44, US-75, I-5, I-90. This lane connects aerospace manufacturing and energy freight from the Tulsa 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 Tulsa
Tulsa's economy is driven by aerospace manufacturing, energy, steel fabrication, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
aircraft components
refined fuels
steel pipe & fittings
oil & gas equipment
processed foods
glass products
What Seattle Receives
Seattle's technology, aerospace (boeing), e-commerce (amazon) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Tulsa.
containerized imports (Asia)
consumer electronics
automotive vehicles
construction materials
industrial machinery
food & beverage
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Tulsa 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.
$4,354-$5,366 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.
$5,771-$7,391 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.
$1,314-$2,121 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Tulsa to Seattle lane (2,025 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,354-$5,366 | 37 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,314-$2,121 | 39-41 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $6,581-$9,113 | 25 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,734-$3,746 | 40-42 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Tulsa and Seattle that drive volume on this lane.
American Airlines Maintenance Base
NORDAM Group
Holly Frontier Refining
Amazon (HQ)
Boeing Everett/Renton
Microsoft (Redmond)
Shipping Tips for Tulsa to Seattle
Tulsa Seasonal Advisory
Aerospace MRO work peaks during winter when airlines pull aircraft from service for heavy maintenance checks. Refinery output is steady but turnaround seasons (spring and fall) temporarily reduce outbound tanker volumes while increasing inbound equipment freight.
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 2,025 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 37 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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Tulsa and Seattle — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Tulsa, OK
- Metro Population
- 1.0M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-44, US-75, US-169
- Rail / Intermodal
- Tulsa Port of Catoosa (McClellan-Kerr Waterway)
- Port Access
- Port of Catoosa (McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, 7 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Broken Arrow/US-169 South, Catoosa/Port Industrial Park, Tulsa International Airport Area
“The Port of Catoosa handles oversized cargo that can't move efficiently by highway alone — wind turbine components, industrial boilers, and heavy machinery arrive by barge and transfer to specialized heavy-haul carriers for final-mile delivery across the region.”
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 generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Tulsa is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Seattle
Seasonal Rate Patterns
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
Tulsa to Seattle Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Tulsa to Seattle?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Tulsa, OK to Seattle, WA currently range $4,354-$5,366 (roughly $2.17-$2.68 per mile over 2,025 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,314-$2,121 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 Tulsa to Seattle?
Standard FTL transit from Tulsa to Seattle is approximately 37 hrs by truck over 2,025 miles, with 5 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 Tulsa Port of Catoosa (McClellan-Kerr Waterway) to BNSF Seattle International Gateway takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Tulsa to Seattle freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Tulsa commonly ships aircraft components, refined fuels, steel pipe & fittings, 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 Tulsa?
Strong backhaul (scored 69/100 based on Seattle's outbound commodity mix). Seattle generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Tulsa is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of 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 Tulsa to Seattle?
The Tulsa-to-Seattle corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Auto Manufacturing Corridor. Tulsa's top outbound commodities include aircraft components, refined fuels, steel pipe & fittings, oil & gas equipment, processed foods, glass 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 aerospace manufacturing and energy from Tulsa and technology and aerospace (Boeing) in Seattle.
When are rates highest on the Tulsa to Seattle lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to aerospace manufacturing and energy cycles. Key periods: 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 (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Should I use team drivers for the Tulsa to Seattle lane?
At 2,025 miles, this route exceeds a solo driver's hours-of-service limits and requires at least one 10-hour break, adding roughly 14-18 hours to transit. Team drivers typically deliver in 22-26 hours — nearly half the solo transit — at a 20-35% rate premium. For time-critical freight over 1,200 miles, teams generally pay for themselves.
Get Exact Rates for Tulsa to Seattle
We maintain working relationships with 81+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Tulsa–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.
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