Seattle, WA to Portland, OR

174-mile freight corridor via I-5 S directly into Portland metro. Same day (2.5-3.5 hours) transit. Easy difficulty.

Distance

174 mi

Transit Time

Same day (2.5-3.5 hours)

Difficulty

Easy

Toll Cost

Average Rates Per Mile

Equipment	Rate/Mile	Est. Total
Dry Van	$2.80	$487.2
Reefer	$3.25	$565.5
Flatbed	$3.50	$609

Rates are approximate averages and vary by season, demand, and broker. Always verify current spot rates on DAT or Truckstop.

Route Details

Recommended Route

I-5 S directly into Portland metro

Fuel Stops

1 recommended

Tolls

Common Freight Types

Technology ProductsApparelConsumer GoodsTimber

Backhaul Information

Good Backhaul Availability

Average backhaul rate: $2.60/mi

Common return cargo: Nike/Columbia apparel, timber products, craft food and beverage

Key Stops Along the Route

Seattle, WA

Origin

Tacoma, WA

Olympia, WA

Centralia, WA

Kelso, WA

Portland, OR

Destination

Seasonal Trends

Steady year-round between two major Pacific NW metros. Amazon and Microsoft freight from Seattle area is consistent. Portland rose festival (June) and holiday season spike demand. Winter ice on I-5 near Centralia can cause multi-day closures.

Trucker Tips for This Lane

I-5 through Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) between Tacoma and Olympia is a notorious bottleneck. Expect 45-60 min delays during commute hours.

Fuel in Oregon -- no state sales tax and diesel is typically $0.20-0.40 cheaper than Washington.

This is the highest-paying short-haul lane on the West Coast per mile. Protect this rate -- do not underbid.

The I-5 bridge over the Columbia River at Vancouver, WA has a 14 foot 6 inch clearance on the older span. Know your load height.

Portland receiver areas (Swan Island, NW Industrial) have limited truck parking and narrow streets. Use GPS apps designed for trucks.

Seattle to Portland FAQ

Current average rates on the Seattle, WA to Portland, OR lane are approximately $2.80/mi for dry van, $3.25/mi for reefer, and $3.50/mi for flatbed. Rates fluctuate based on season, fuel costs, and market demand. The most common equipment types on this lane are Dry Van, Reefer, Flatbed.

The 174-mile route from Seattle, WA to Portland, OR typically takes Same day (2.5-3.5 hours). The recommended route is I-5 S directly into Portland metro. Actual transit time depends on weather, traffic, HOS compliance, and whether you run solo or team. Plan for 1 fuel stop along the way.

Yes, backhaul availability on the return trip is good. Average backhaul rates run around $2.60/mi. Common backhaul cargo includes Nike/Columbia apparel, timber products, craft food and beverage. Check DAT, Truckstop, and local brokers for the best return loads.

Estimated toll costs on the Seattle, WA to Portland, OR corridor are $0. This is a toll-free corridor, which helps protect your margins.

Related Freight Lanes

Los Angeles → Seattle

1135 mi · 2-3 days

moderateDV $2.30

Portland → Boise

430 mi · 1 day (6-7 hours)

challengingDV $2.35

Sacramento → Portland

580 mi · 1-2 days

moderateDV $2.35

Equipment

Rate/Mile

Est. Total

Dry Van

$2.80

$487.2

Reefer

$3.25

$565.5

Flatbed

$3.50

$609

Trucker Tips for This Lane

I-5 through Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) between Tacoma and Olympia is a notorious bottleneck. Expect 45-60 min delays during commute hours.

Fuel in Oregon -- no state sales tax and diesel is typically $0.20-0.40 cheaper than Washington.

This is the highest-paying short-haul lane on the West Coast per mile. Protect this rate -- do not underbid.

The I-5 bridge over the Columbia River at Vancouver, WA has a 14 foot 6 inch clearance on the older span. Know your load height.

Portland receiver areas (Swan Island, NW Industrial) have limited truck parking and narrow streets. Use GPS apps designed for trucks.

Seattle to Portland FAQ

Estimated toll costs on the Seattle, WA to Portland, OR corridor are $0. This is a toll-free corridor, which helps protect your margins.