Washington

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Washington Freight Quotes & Shipment Routes

Washington Freight Quotes

If you have something you need shipped to, from or within Washington State, then you’ve come to the right place. Get instant and accurate Washington Freight Quotes with Freight Rate Central. We can provide you with an instant online freight quote, so you can easily use our system to get an estimate of shipping costs with no obligation and no time wasted. You can go straight to the quotation questionnaire for full truckload, less than a truckload or international shipping. Once you see our rates, we think you’ll want to use Freight Rate Central to schedule all your shipments. If you’re wondering about some of the issues that affect freight and trucking in Washington State, then read on…

Washington State Roads

Interstates crossing Washington include I-5, I-82, I-90 and I-205. Washington State restricts trucking traffic to the right-hand lane on a number of highways and interstates. Any vehicle towing a trailer and/or in excess of 10,000 pounds may not be driven in the left-hand lane on limited-access routes that have three or more lanes in one direction, excluding High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV). Commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVW are prohibited from HOV lanes entirely. Routes primarily affected by left-lane restrictions include I-5, portions of I-90 and I-405 in King and Snohomish Counties, and portions of I-90 in Spokane. Information about events impacting specific Washington State routes is available from the Washington State DOT.

Washington Industry

Some of America’s best-known companies make their home in Washington State, including Boeing, Microsoft, Nintendo, Amazon, Starbucks, Costco and Nordstrom. The state is one of the nation’s leading agricultural producers, and not just of the apples that Washington is so famous for. Washington State produces 90 percent of the nation’s red raspberries, 80 percent of the wrinkled seed peas and 75 percent of the hops. Washington State is also a large producer of wood products and other natural resources, including electric power. Not surprisingly, trade, transportation and utility jobs account for the highest percentage of the state’s employment. Trade flourishes in Washington State in part due to the ports at Puget Sound, which bring in significant numbers of exports from Asia. Eight percent of all American exports and six percent of the nation’s imports travel through Washington State’s ports.

Washington State Trucking to California, Texas, Illinois, Florida, Michigan, New York and More

Washington is the fourth-largest exporting state in the US, behind New York, California and Texas. These three states, along with Illinois, Florida and Michigan, are among the states that Washington trucking companies and freight companies serve most often, moving goods both to and from Washington’s busy ports serving Asia, and moving Washington’s manufactured goods and agricultural products throughout the nation.

Washington State Trucking Rules and Regulations

Commercial trucks entering Washington State are required to have permits, even trucks that are not oversized or overweight. The permits for regular trucks are called “Trip Permits,” and trucks that arrive at a Port of Entry without a permit are not allowed entry. Truckers can obtain permits by phone from the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) during regular business hours or online. The Commercial Vehicle Permitting Office lists other approved permit vendors. Vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross weight and vehicles in combination — trucks with trailers — are limited to a maximum speed of 60 mph on Washington State highways. For more detailed information about Washington State trucking and freight, including weight and height restrictions, see the Washington State Commercial Vehicle Guide.