Freight Shipping from Flint to Long Beach
Ship freight from Flint, MI to Long Beach, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $5,474-$6,747, LTL from $1,600-$2,564. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,546 mi
Drive Time
46 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$5,474-$6,747
LTL Rate Est.
$1,600-$2,564
Flint to Long Beach Freight Corridor
Flint's freight market revolves around GM's Flint Assembly plant, which builds the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups. The JIT supply chain for this single facility generates hundreds of daily truck movements from tier-1 and tier-2 suppliers across Michigan and Ohio. The I-69/I-75 interchange provides efficient access to the broader Great Lakes freight network.
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 Flint-to-Long Beach corridor spans 2,546 miles via I-69, I-75, I-710, I-405. This lane connects automotive parts and metal stamping freight from the Flint 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 Flint
Flint's economy is driven by automotive parts, metal stamping, logistics & warehousing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
automotive stampings
engine components
processed metals
plastic auto parts
scrap metal
packaged foods
What Long Beach Receives
Long Beach's port operations, oil & petrochemicals, aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Flint.
containerized consumer goods
electronics
furniture
auto parts
textiles
toys & housewares
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Flint 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.
$5,474-$6,747 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.
$1,600-$2,564 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Flint to Long Beach lane (2,546 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $5,474-$6,747 | 46 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,600-$2,564 | 48-50 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $8,275-$11,457 | 31 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $3,437-$4,710 | 49-51 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Flint and Long Beach that drive volume on this lane.
General Motors (Flint Assembly)
Lear Corporation
Ryder Integrated Logistics
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
Shipping Tips for Flint to Long Beach
Flint Seasonal Advisory
Production follows GM's corporate shutdown calendar — two weeks in July and one week at Christmas. Model year changeover in late summer creates a brief lull followed by a surge in tooling and prototype parts shipments.
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 2,546 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 46 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.
Flint to Long Beach Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Flint to Long Beach?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Flint, MI to Long Beach, CA currently range from $5,474-$6,747 for a standard dry van load over the 2,546-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $1,600-$2,564 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 Flint to Long Beach?
Standard FTL transit from Flint to Long Beach is approximately 46 hrs by truck over 2,546 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 Flint to Long Beach freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Flint commonly ships automotive stampings, engine components, processed metals, 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 Flint?
Yes. Long Beach is a strong outbound market shipping transloaded imports, petroleum products, recycled materials. Carriers returning from Long Beach to Flint can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Flint-to-Long Beach lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Flint to Long Beach?
The Flint-to-Long Beach corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Flint's top outbound commodities include automotive stampings, engine components, processed metals, plastic auto parts, scrap metal, packaged foods. Long Beach's primary inbound freight includes containerized consumer goods, electronics, furniture, auto parts, textiles, toys & housewares. Industries driving this lane include automotive parts and metal stamping from Flint and port operations and oil & petrochemicals in Long Beach.
Get Exact Rates for Flint to Long Beach
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Flint to Long Beach lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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