Freight Shipping from Akron to Salt Lake City
Ship freight from Akron, OH to Salt Lake City, UT with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,410-$5,435, LTL from $1,328-$2,143. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,051 mi
Drive Time
37 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,410-$5,435
LTL Rate Est.
$1,328-$2,143
Industrial Freight Lane
Akron → Salt Lake City Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
75–89
running this lane
Weekly Loads
87–106
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
64/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$58–$97 one-way passing through OH, UT, IN, IL. 5 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Akron to Salt Lake City Freight Corridor
Akron earned the title "Rubber Capital of the World" — Goodyear's global headquarters still anchors the city's economy, along with a deep cluster of polymer science companies, tire retreaders, and rubber product manufacturers that grew up around the original tire industry. The I-76/I-77 junction makes Akron a natural crossroads between Pittsburgh and Cleveland. The University of Akron's polymer science program ensures a constant pipeline of materials innovation that keeps the city's chemical and advanced materials freight volumes growing.
Salt Lake City is the Intermountain West's primary logistics gateway, sitting at the junction of I-15 and I-80 — the only major east-west corridor between Denver and the West Coast. The Bingham Canyon copper mine, the world's largest open-pit mine, generates heavy-haul mining equipment and concentrate freight. Silicon Slopes tech companies along the I-15 corridor from Provo to Ogden create a growing base of e-commerce and electronics shipments requiring fast, reliable service.
The Akron-to-Salt Lake City corridor spans 2,051 miles via I-76, I-77, I-15, I-80. This lane connects polymer & rubber manufacturing and advanced materials freight from the Akron market to technology (silicon slopes) and mining & minerals demand in Salt Lake City. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Akron
Akron's economy is driven by polymer & rubber manufacturing, advanced materials, healthcare, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
tires & rubber products
polymer compounds
oats & cereals (Quaker)
industrial adhesives
specialty chemicals
fabricated metals
What Salt Lake City Receives
Salt Lake City's technology (silicon slopes), mining & minerals, aerospace & defense sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Akron.
consumer goods
building materials
raw minerals
vehicles
fuel products
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Akron and Salt Lake City, these equipment types best serve this corridor.
Dry Van (FTL)
Ideal for palletized consumer goods, electronics, packaged foods, and general merchandise. Enclosed protection from weather and theft.
$4,410-$5,435 estimated for this lane
Flatbed
Best for steel, lumber, machinery, building materials, and oversized loads that cannot be palletized or loaded through standard dock doors.
$5,845-$7,486 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$6,461-$8,717 estimated for this lane
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
Cost-effective for shipments under 10,000 lbs or fewer than 10 pallets. Shared trailer space with other shippers reduces cost for smaller loads.
$1,328-$2,143 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Akron to Salt Lake City lane (2,051 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,410-$5,435 | 37 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,328-$2,143 | 39-41 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $6,666-$9,230 | 25 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,769-$3,794 | 40-42 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Akron and Salt Lake City that drive volume on this lane.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber (HQ)
FirstEnergy (HQ)
Smucker's (Akron bakery)
Rio Tinto Kennecott (Bingham Canyon Mine)
L3Harris Technologies
Overstock.com
Shipping Tips for Akron to Salt Lake City
Akron Seasonal Advisory
Tire production runs year-round but seasonal tire changeover periods (October-November for winter, March-April for summer) create demand surges. FirstEnergy's utility equipment shipments peak before summer cooling season. Quaker Oats production ramps for back-to-school cereal demand.
Salt Lake City Seasonal Advisory
Ski season (November-April) drives hospitality and recreation freight to resort towns. Mining operations run year-round but production peaks in dry summer months. Construction activity slows during harsh winter months but the region's growth means it never truly stops.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,051 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 37 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
Book Early for Best Rates
Spot market rates fluctuate daily. Booking 3-5 days in advance typically saves 10-15% compared to same-day or next-day freight requests. For recurring shipments, ask about contract rates.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Akron and Salt Lake City — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Akron, OH
- Metro Population
- 700K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-76, I-77, I-80 (Ohio Turnpike)
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Akron Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- Chapel Hill/I-77, Green/I-77 South, Akron-Canton Airport Industrial
“Tire freight is deceptively challenging — rubber products are lightweight but bulky, meaning carriers cube out before hitting weight limits. Experienced tire haulers use specialized trailer configurations and stacking techniques to maximize load density and revenue per mile.”
Destination
Salt Lake City, UT
- Metro Population
- 1.3M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.25-$2.65/mi
- Key Highways
- I-15, I-80, I-215
- Rail / Intermodal
- Union Pacific Salt Lake City Intermodal; BNSF Salt Lake Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- West Valley City/I-215 Belt, North Salt Lake/I-15 North, Salt Lake City International Airport Area
“SLC's geographic isolation is both challenge and opportunity — the city is 500+ miles from the nearest major market (Denver or Las Vegas). Carriers who commit to regular SLC lanes build strong relationships with shippers desperate for reliable capacity, often earning above-market rates due to the repositioning miles involved.”
Return Loads from Salt Lake City
Backhaul from Salt Lake City to Akron requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Salt Lake City
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Akron to Salt Lake City Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Akron to Salt Lake City?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Akron, OH to Salt Lake City, UT currently range $4,410-$5,435 (roughly $2.16-$2.68 per mile over 2,051 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,328-$2,143 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced on this corridor, so booking 3-5 days out locks in the best pricing. Request a custom quote for exact rates.
How long does freight take from Akron to Salt Lake City?
Standard FTL transit from Akron to Salt Lake City is approximately 37 hrs by truck over 2,051 miles, with 5 typical fuel stops along the corridor. LTL shipments add 2-4 business days due to terminal transfers. Expedited service with team drivers can reduce FTL transit by up to 40%. Intermodal rail-truck service via Norfolk Southern Akron Intermodal to Union Pacific Salt Lake City Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Akron to Salt Lake City freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Akron commonly ships tires & rubber products, polymer compounds, oats & cereals (Quaker), which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Salt Lake City commonly receives consumer goods, building materials, raw minerals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Salt Lake City to Akron?
Moderate backhaul (scored 64/100 based on Salt Lake City's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Salt Lake City to Akron requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Salt Lake City's top outbound commodities — copper & minerals, electronics, outdoor recreation equipment — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Akron to Salt Lake City?
The Akron-to-Salt Lake City corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. Akron's top outbound commodities include tires & rubber products, polymer compounds, oats & cereals (Quaker), industrial adhesives, specialty chemicals, fabricated metals. Salt Lake City's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, building materials, raw minerals, vehicles, fuel products, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include polymer & rubber manufacturing and advanced materials from Akron and technology (Silicon Slopes) and mining & minerals in Salt Lake City.
What tolls should I expect on the Akron to Salt Lake City route?
Expect roughly $58-$97 in tolls round-trip passing through OH, UT, IN, IL. Most rate quotes either include tolls in the line-haul or bill them as a separate pass-through — ask your dispatcher to confirm which model applies to your lane.
When are rates highest on the Akron to Salt Lake City lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to polymer & rubber manufacturing and advanced materials cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Should I use team drivers for the Akron to Salt Lake City lane?
At 2,051 miles, this route exceeds a solo driver's hours-of-service limits and requires at least one 10-hour break, adding roughly 14-18 hours to transit. Team drivers typically deliver in 22-27 hours — nearly half the solo transit — at a 20-35% rate premium. For time-critical freight over 1,200 miles, teams generally pay for themselves.
Get Exact Rates for Akron to Salt Lake City
We maintain working relationships with 75+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Akron–Salt Lake City corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts