If Washington intrigues you as a place to pursue your trucking career, prepare to be confused. After all, how could a state on the opposite side of the country from where George Washington spent his entire life take his name as its own? Just think, if West Virginia had chosen to be Washington, it would have its own identity and make geographic sense! Anyway, if you want to pursue wealth, Washington is the place for you. Some of the country’s richest individuals call the state home, and if you play your cards right from behind the wheel of your truck, you might figure out a way to join them. Consider the products Washington leads the nation in production — apples, hops, pears, red raspberries, spearmint oil, and sweet cherries, and ranks high in the production of apricots, asparagus, dry edible peas, grapes, lentils, peppermint oil, and potatoes. That’s a lot of fruits and vegetables. The state is a major player in the timber industry, the forests having rich stands of seven of the most popular lumber products in the country. And being in the Pacific Northwest, the state has a rich fishing industry and ports where it operates. Then again, if you are better suited for the military-industrial complex the state manufactures aircraft and missiles, ships, metals and metal products, chemicals, and machinery. Now, look back on what you just read. Cherries and timber (i.e. trees)? Hah, now you know why the state took Washington’s name.
Geographic Advantages
Aside from Alaska, Washington is the most northwestern state and borders Canada. It is the entry point for most trucked freight from Alaska, has access to ports along the west coast, and is across the border from Vancouver, British Columbia, one of Canada’s fastest growing areas.
Bordering State/Countries
Washington is bordered to the north by Canada, to the east by Idaho, to the south by Oregon, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean.
Washington’s Deep-Water Ports
Washington has over 30 total ports including inland ports along rivers and near the Pacific Ocean. It’s largest port cities include Seattle and Tacoma, with Bremerton slightly smaller. Other significant ports include Bellingham, Olympia, and Everett.
Products Moved by Trucks
Whether they are exported out of state, out of the country, or simply remain in the state for use in-state, according to the latest data from World’s Top Exports, the following are the primary products moved by truck drivers and offering truck driving jobs to those calling Washington home:
- Aircraft including engines, parts
- Soya beans
- Wheat (excluding durum)
- Miscellaneous petroleum oils
- Corn
- Frozen potatoes
- Ultrasonic scanning equipment
- Fresh apples
- Soya bean flours, meals
- Rutabagas, similar forage products
Washington’s Highways
Washington has over 167,000 lane miles of roadway offering truck drivers many routes across and throughout the state. About 700 miles of these roadways are included in Washington’s interstate system as follows:
I-5 from Oregon state line to Canadian border
I-82 from Ellensburg to Oregon state line
I-90 between Seattle and Idaho state line
Auxiliary interstate highways
For more information on Washington and its truck driver jobs, visit: www.wtaontheroad.com