Find competitive freight shipping rates and reliable carriers in the Seattle, Washington area by connecting with Convoy. Convoy gives you instant access to freight quotes on loads being shipped into or out of Seattle, Washington.
Seattle Freight Shipping Quotes
Freight Shipping in Seattle
According to data provided by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, in 2017 Washington received $181,831 million worth of freight, shipped out $174,108 million worth of goods, and moved $243,324 million worth within state borders. It is estimated that trucks move an average of $47 million worth of freight in and out of Washington state every hour, every day.
The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEATAC) is serviced by 16 cargo carriers, which help process inbound and outbound freight every day. In Seattle’s Elliott Bay, one of the nation’s busiest deep-water ports, the Port of Seattle accommodates large ships over 1,400 feet in length and provides plenty of warehouse space for freight containers as well as aircraft.
The Port of Seattle is the fifth largest container port in the United States and the 20th largest globally. In addition to being the epicenter of trade with states in the Northwest, Seattle also participates in major trade with Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico, and Eastern Asia.
When planning your freight schedule, keep in mind that Seattle has slightly longer than average commute times compared to the national average of 27 minutes.
Major Industries and Commercial Activity in Seattle
Although health and social services is the dominant sector in Seattle, the city is also home to various other major industries, including aerospace, manufacturing, transportation, food processing, and advanced technology. 11 Fortune 500 companies have their headquarters in Seattle, most notably Amazon, Microsoft, Starbucks, and Nordstrom.
Tourism is also a major element of Seattle’s economy, and is Washington state’s fourth largest industry. In 2019, tourism contributed over $21 billion to the state’s economy, and helped support approximately 240,000 jobs across the state (80,000 in King County alone).
The Seattle area produces a large amount of freight in a variety of categories, including:
- Food products
- Textiles
- Aluminum
- Iron and steel products
- Lumber
- Flour
- Clothing
- Airplanes
- Canned fish
- Fruit
The agricultural industry in Washington state has an economic impact of $49 billion, with raspberries and apples being one of the most predominant crops.
Washington’s top interstate trading partners for its freight include Oregon, California, Hawaii, and Texas.
How Weather Impacts Freight Shipping in Seattle
Poor and extreme weather is something that needs to be taken into consideration when planning your freight schedule and transportation.
Washington state has a relatively uneventful history in comparison with some other states when it comes to extreme storms. In the last 10 years, Washington has experienced five droughts and five wildfires that have caused more than $1 billion in damage.
Although the Seattle-metro area itself doesn’t experience much severe weather or many critical storms, heavy rainfall, high winds, or winter snowfall could impact your freight transportation, so keep informed.
Freight Carriers in Seattle
Over the past several years, truck driving has been the most common job in Washington state, along with software developer — so finding the right carrier for your freight shipment typically isn’t a problem.
With nearly 50,000 trucks that serve approximately 3,000 facilities in the Seattle area, Convoy makes planning your shipment easy. We can connect you with drivers who have been vetted and verified for safety and experience.