Freight Shipping from Austin to Long Beach
Ship freight from Austin, TX to Long Beach, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $3,410-$4,203, LTL from $1,072-$1,748. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,586 mi
Drive Time
29 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$3,410-$4,203
LTL Rate Est.
$1,072-$1,748
Port Drayage Corridor
Austin → Long Beach Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
107–129
running this lane
Weekly Loads
89–109
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
86/100
Excellent
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$19–$32 one-way passing through TX, CA, OK, NM. 4 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.
Austin to Long Beach Freight Corridor
Austin has transformed from a state capital and college town into a technology and manufacturing powerhouse. Tesla's Gigafactory Texas in southeast Travis County produces the Model Y and Cybertruck, creating a massive new automotive freight corridor. Samsung's $17 billion semiconductor fab in Taylor and NXP's chipmaking facilities make the Austin metro one of America's most important semiconductor freight origins. The city's explosive growth — the fastest-growing large metro in the U.S. — generates enormous inbound construction and consumer goods freight.
The Port of Long Beach, paired with the adjacent Port of Los Angeles, forms the San Pedro Bay complex that handles nearly half of all US maritime imports. Long Beach itself has invested billions in on-dock rail infrastructure, allowing containers to move directly from ship to train without a truck dray, though the majority still leave by truck on the notoriously congested I-710. The city's zero-emission truck mandates are reshaping drayage economics as carriers invest in electric and hydrogen-powered equipment.
The Austin-to-Long Beach corridor spans 1,586 miles via I-35, US-183, I-710, I-405. This lane connects technology and semiconductor manufacturing freight from the Austin market to port operations and oil & petrochemicals demand in Long Beach. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Austin
Austin's economy is driven by technology, semiconductor manufacturing, state government, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
semiconductors (Samsung/NXP)
Tesla vehicles
computers & electronics
processed foods
technology equipment
building materials
What Long Beach Receives
Long Beach's port operations, oil & petrochemicals, aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Austin.
containerized consumer goods
electronics
furniture
auto parts
textiles
toys & housewares
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Austin and Long Beach, 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.
$3,410-$4,203 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.
$4,520-$5,789 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.
$1,072-$1,748 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Austin to Long Beach lane (1,586 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $3,410-$4,203 | 29 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,072-$1,748 | 31-33 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $5,155-$7,137 | 19 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,141-$2,934 | 32-34 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Austin and Long Beach that drive volume on this lane.
Tesla Gigafactory Texas
Samsung Austin Semiconductor
NXP Semiconductors
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
Shipping Tips for Austin to Long Beach
Austin Seasonal Advisory
Tesla production runs year-round but new model launches create unpredictable freight spikes. Samsung fab output is consistent but construction of new fab capacity generates enormous heavy-haul and oversize equipment moves. SXSW (March) and ACL Festival (October) create temporary local delivery surges.
Long Beach Seasonal Advisory
Peak import season runs August through November for holiday retail. The "blank sailing" period during Chinese New Year (January-February) creates a 3-4 week dip before the spring restocking wave.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,586 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 29 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 Austin and Long Beach — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Austin, TX
- Metro Population
- 2.3M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-35, US-183, US-290
- Rail / Intermodal
- Union Pacific Austin Terminal
- Warehouse Districts
- Pflugerville/US-130 Toll, Del Valle/Tesla Gigafactory Area, Round Rock/I-35 North
“Austin's I-35 corridor is among the most congested in Texas, and carriers who schedule pickups and deliveries outside peak hours (avoiding 7-9 AM and 4-7 PM) can complete 20-30% more loads per week. Tesla's Gigafactory operates its own logistics network but overflow capacity needs create spot market opportunities.”
Destination
Long Beach, CA
- Metro Population
- 475K city
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.40-$2.80/mi
- Key Highways
- I-710, I-405, SR-47
- Rail / Intermodal
- Pier B On-Dock Rail (UP/BNSF); ITS Terminal; TTI Terminal
- Port Access
- Port of Long Beach (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- North Long Beach, Carson/Dominguez, Signal Hill
“Long Beach's Clean Truck Program now requires all drayage trucks entering the port to meet 2010 or newer emission standards. The upcoming zero-emission mandate is already driving smaller drayage operators out of the market, concentrating volume with larger, better-capitalized fleets.”
Return Loads from Long Beach
Long Beach is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Austin typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Long Beach
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
Austin to Long Beach Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Austin to Long Beach?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Austin, TX to Long Beach, CA currently range $3,410-$4,203 (roughly $2.15-$2.65 per mile over 1,586 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,072-$1,748 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 Austin to Long Beach?
Standard FTL transit from Austin to Long Beach is approximately 29 hrs by truck over 1,586 miles, with 4 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 Union Pacific Austin Terminal to Pier B On-Dock Rail (UP/BNSF) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Austin to Long Beach freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Austin commonly ships semiconductors (Samsung/NXP), Tesla vehicles, computers & electronics, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Long Beach commonly receives containerized consumer goods, electronics, furniture. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Long Beach to Austin?
Excellent backhaul (scored 86/100 based on Long Beach's outbound commodity mix). Long Beach is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Austin typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate. Long Beach's top outbound commodities — transloaded imports, petroleum products, recycled materials — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Austin to Long Beach?
The Austin-to-Long Beach corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Austin's top outbound commodities include semiconductors (Samsung/NXP), Tesla vehicles, computers & electronics, processed foods, technology equipment, building materials. Long Beach's primary inbound freight includes containerized consumer goods, electronics, furniture, auto parts, textiles, toys & housewares. Industries driving this lane include technology and semiconductor manufacturing from Austin and port operations and oil & petrochemicals in Long Beach.
When are rates highest on the Austin to Long Beach lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to technology and semiconductor manufacturing 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 Austin to Long Beach lane?
At 1,586 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 17-21 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 Austin to Long Beach
We maintain working relationships with 107+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Austin–Long Beach 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