Freight Shipping from Dallas to San Francisco
Ship freight from Dallas, TX to San Francisco, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,139-$5,101, LTL from $1,259-$2,036. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,925 mi
Drive Time
35 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,139-$5,101
LTL Rate Est.
$1,259-$2,036
Dallas to San Francisco Freight Corridor
Dallas is the economic engine of the DFW metroplex, housing more Fortune 500 corporate headquarters than any city except New York. Texas Instruments and the Telecom Corridor in Richardson generate a constant flow of high-value electronics freight, while the South Dallas warehouse district contains over 150 million square feet of distribution space. The city's central location means a truck leaving Dallas can reach 93% of the U.S. population within 48 hours.
San Francisco's freight economy is driven by the highest-value-per-pound commodities in the country. Biotech shipments from the South San Francisco corridor require validated cold chain logistics, while tech companies demand white-glove, high-security transport for prototype hardware and server equipment. The constrained geography of the peninsula limits warehouse space, pushing most distribution operations across the bay to Oakland or south to San Jose.
The Dallas-to-San Francisco corridor spans 1,925 miles via I-35E, I-30, I-80, US-101. This lane connects technology and telecommunications freight from the Dallas market to technology and biotechnology demand in San Francisco. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Dallas
Dallas's economy is driven by technology, telecommunications, financial services, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
electronics (Texas Instruments)
telecommunications equipment
consumer packaged goods
processed foods
defense systems
e-commerce shipments
What San Francisco Receives
San Francisco's technology, biotechnology, financial services sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Dallas.
server equipment
office furniture
construction materials
consumer goods
lab supplies
imported foods
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Dallas and San Francisco, 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.
$4,139-$5,101 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.
$5,486-$7,026 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.
$1,259-$2,036 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Dallas to San Francisco lane (1,925 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,139-$5,101 | 35 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,259-$2,036 | 37-39 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $6,256-$8,663 | 23 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,599-$3,561 | 38-40 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Dallas and San Francisco that drive volume on this lane.
Texas Instruments (HQ)
AT&T (HQ)
Amazon DFW Fulfillment Network
Salesforce
Genentech
McKesson
Shipping Tips for Dallas to San Francisco
Dallas Seasonal Advisory
E-commerce fulfillment peaks massively during Q4 holidays. Construction freight is year-round due to DFW's unrelenting building boom. Texas Instruments production runs consistently but new product cycles create periodic shipping surges.
San Francisco Seasonal Advisory
Wine harvest (August-October) from Napa and Sonoma valleys creates seasonal reefer and temperature-controlled demand. Tech company product launches (often September-October) drive spikes in white-glove shipments.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,925 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 35 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.
Dallas to San Francisco Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Dallas to San Francisco?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Dallas, TX to San Francisco, CA currently range from $4,139-$5,101 for a standard dry van load over the 1,925-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $1,259-$2,036 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Request a custom quote for exact pricing based on your specific shipment details.
How long does freight take from Dallas to San Francisco?
Standard FTL transit from Dallas to San Francisco is approximately 35 hrs by truck over 1,925 miles. 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 takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Dallas to San Francisco freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Dallas commonly ships electronics (Texas Instruments), telecommunications equipment, consumer packaged goods, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. San Francisco commonly receives server equipment, office furniture, construction materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from San Francisco to Dallas?
Yes. San Francisco is a strong outbound market shipping tech hardware & servers, biotech pharmaceuticals, wine & spirits. Carriers returning from San Francisco to Dallas can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Dallas-to-San Francisco lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Dallas to San Francisco?
The Dallas-to-San Francisco corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Dallas's top outbound commodities include electronics (Texas Instruments), telecommunications equipment, consumer packaged goods, processed foods, defense systems, e-commerce shipments. San Francisco's primary inbound freight includes server equipment, office furniture, construction materials, consumer goods, lab supplies, imported foods. Industries driving this lane include technology and telecommunications from Dallas and technology and biotechnology in San Francisco.
Get Exact Rates for Dallas to San Francisco
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Dallas to San Francisco lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts