Business Development
Susan St Germain
(206) 256-6114

 
Transportation
 
 

Washington state is optimally located for rapid access to the Asian ports and midwest markets. As the most trade-dependent state in the U.S., Washington continues to invest and strengthen our port, rail, air and roadway systems to meet rapidly increasing cargo volume from all over the world.

 
Washington Ports

Washington state has seven deep-draft ports on Puget Sound, one  located on the Pacific Coast and three on the Columbia River. These ports work together to move goods into, through, and out of the state for distribution all over the nation. Asia-Pacific markets can be reached one to two days faster from Washington than from California.

Together, the port of Seattle and the port of Tacoma are the third largest container load center in the U.S. The Port of Tacoma provides double-stack service for railroad shippers and operates its own intermodal rail facility and dockside-to-mainline switching rail.

Ports on Washington's Pacific Coast and lower Columbia River are also important trans-shipment points for overseas vessels and river barges. The state's water transport system extends 352 river miles inland with additional port facilities on the mid and upper Columbia River and Snake River.

Washington Airports

Multiple Direct Flights Europe/Seattle from Sea-Tac and Portland Airports.

Washington state is supported by an air infrastructure of 138 public-use airports, including 13 scheduled commercial-service airports. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Spokane International Airport represent two of the largest commercial service airports in the state.


Washington State Commercial Airports:
 
 
Air Freight

Air freight is moved though 26 primary locations in the state. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, King County/Boeing Field, and Spokane International Airport support the majority of air freight.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the country's 19th busiest cargo airport and offers almost 900,000 square feet or 85,000 sq. meters of cargo warehouse, airmail, and office space for a dynamic mix of domestic and international air cargo activity, totaling 290,653 metric tons in 2008.

The airport also has more than 1.5 million square feet of aircraft parking apron, including multiple wide-body and nose-loading 747-F positions.

  • 16 miles (27 kilometers) from downtown Seattle Operating 24/7 year-round
  • Category 3B air traffic control capability ensures operating reliability
  • Three runways are 11,500 feet (3,505 meters), 9,425 feet (2,875 meters), and 8500 feet (2591 meters)
  • Total air cargo area covers 3 million square feet (280 thousand square meters)
 
Major Washington Highways

Four major interstate highways, I-5, I-405, I-90, and I-82  serve Washington and provide direct access to markets within the state and throughout North America. Additionally, I-205 and I-182 allow inter-loop connections for Vancouver and Tri-Cities (Richland-Kennewick-Pasco) areas. 

 
Trucking and Shipping

Washington state shipping carriers provide scheduled daily departures to principal urban areas in western, mountain, and mid-western regions of the U.S. and western Canada. Washington ranks among the top ten states in general freight tonnage carried by truck interstate. This level of competition results in favorable negotiated rates.

Overland shipping distances from the state's metropolitan areas to the Midwest are shorter than routes from other major western coastal cities. Typical shipping time from neighboring states in the U.S., including San Francisco average a day, Los Angeles 2 days, the midwest from 2-3 days and for the east coast between 5-7 days for overland shipping.

 
Washington Railroads

Union Pacific (UPRR) and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) are the major transcontinental rail providers in Washington. Both offer intermodal double-stack container rail transport that allows goods to be transported to the midwest in less than three days, while eastern coastal cities can be reached within five days. Intermodal facilities are located in Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane. There are 17 additional local service railroads.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2009 Copyrighted Material International Trade and Economic Development, Department of Commerce
128 10th Avenue SW, Olympia WA 98504-2525 (360) 725-4100 more contact info