Freight Shipping from Fort Worth to Oakland
Ship freight from Fort Worth, TX to Oakland, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,038-$4,977, LTL from $1,233-$1,996. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,878 mi
Drive Time
34 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,038-$4,977
LTL Rate Est.
$1,233-$1,996
Port Drayage Corridor
Fort Worth → Oakland Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
88–105
running this lane
Weekly Loads
232–251
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
78/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$23–$38 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.
Fort Worth to Oakland Freight Corridor
Fort Worth is the aerospace and rail logistics capital of Texas. Lockheed Martin's mile-long factory produces every F-35 Lightning II fighter jet sold worldwide, generating classified, oversize, and high-security freight that requires specialized carriers. BNSF Railway's headquarters and Alliance Texas — the nation's largest inland port — create one of the most sophisticated intermodal logistics ecosystems in North America. Bell Textron builds V-22 Ospreys and commercial helicopters, adding to the aerospace freight base.
Oakland is Northern California's freight nerve center. The Port of Oakland is the 8th busiest container port in North America and the primary export gateway for Central Valley agricultural products, particularly almonds bound for Asia and hay destined for Japan and the Middle East. The Oakland International Gateway intermodal facility provides direct rail connections to UP's transcontinental network, enabling shippers to avoid the congestion of Southern California ports.
The Fort Worth-to-Oakland corridor spans 1,878 miles via I-35W, I-30, I-80, I-880. This lane connects aerospace & defense and rail logistics freight from the Fort Worth market to port operations & logistics and food & beverage distribution demand in Oakland. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Fort Worth
Fort Worth's economy is driven by aerospace & defense, rail logistics, ranching & agriculture, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
F-35 fighter jet components
Bell helicopters
grain & cattle
consumer goods
dairy products
industrial equipment
What Oakland Receives
Oakland's port operations & logistics, food & beverage distribution, technology sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Fort Worth.
containerized imports
automobiles
building materials
electronics
furniture
apparel
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Fort Worth and Oakland, 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.
$4,038-$4,977 estimated for this lane
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Required for temperature-sensitive freight including fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Maintains precise temperature control throughout transit.
$4,977-$6,291 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.
$5,352-$6,855 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.
$1,233-$1,996 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Fort Worth to Oakland lane (1,878 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,038-$4,977 | 34 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,233-$1,996 | 36-38 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $6,104-$8,451 | 23 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,535-$3,474 | 37-39 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Fort Worth and Oakland that drive volume on this lane.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (F-35)
Bell Textron (HQ)
BNSF Railway (HQ)
Dreyer's/Nestle
Clorox (HQ)
Peet's Coffee (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Fort Worth to Oakland
Fort Worth Seasonal Advisory
Defense freight follows federal fiscal year-end spending (September rush). BNSF intermodal volumes peak during Q4 import season. Livestock and agricultural freight from the Fort Worth Stockyards region is strongest March through October.
Oakland Seasonal Advisory
Export volumes peak September through December as post-harvest agricultural commodities move to overseas markets. Import volumes follow retail patterns with an August-November surge for holiday goods.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,878 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 34 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 Fort Worth and Oakland — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Fort Worth, TX
- Metro Population
- 7.6M metro (DFW)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-35W, I-30, I-20
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Alliance Intermodal Facility; Alliance Texas Logistics Hub
- Warehouse Districts
- AllianceTexas/I-35W North, South Fort Worth/I-20 Corridor, Haslet/Alliance Gateway
“AllianceTexas is not just an intermodal facility — it's a 27,000-acre master-planned logistics campus with its own airport, rail yard, and 50+ million square feet of warehouse space. Carriers who operate within the Alliance ecosystem can string together multiple loads without leaving the campus.”
Destination
Oakland, CA
- Metro Population
- 2.8M metro (East Bay)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.50-$2.90/mi
- Key Highways
- I-80, I-880, I-580
- Rail / Intermodal
- UP Oakland Intermodal Gateway; Oakland International Gateway (OIG)
- Port Access
- Port of Oakland (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Oakland Army Base redevelopment, San Leandro/I-880 Corridor, West Oakland port district
“Unlike LA/Long Beach, Oakland is primarily an export port. Agricultural exporters from the Central Valley prefer Oakland because transit times to Asia are 1-2 days shorter than from Southern California, and port congestion is significantly lower.”
Return Loads from Oakland
Oakland generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Fort Worth is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Oakland
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Fort Worth to Oakland Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Fort Worth to Oakland?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Fort Worth, TX to Oakland, CA currently range $4,038-$4,977 (roughly $2.16-$2.65 per mile over 1,878 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,233-$1,996 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently tight 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 Fort Worth to Oakland?
Standard FTL transit from Fort Worth to Oakland is approximately 34 hrs by truck over 1,878 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 BNSF Alliance Intermodal Facility to UP Oakland Intermodal Gateway takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Fort Worth to Oakland freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Fort Worth commonly ships F-35 fighter jet components, Bell helicopters, grain & cattle, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Oakland commonly receives containerized imports, automobiles, building materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Oakland to Fort Worth?
Strong backhaul (scored 78/100 based on Oakland's outbound commodity mix). Oakland generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Fort Worth is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Oakland's top outbound commodities — agricultural exports (almonds, hay), recycled commodities, manufactured goods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Fort Worth to Oakland?
The Fort Worth-to-Oakland corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Fort Worth's top outbound commodities include F-35 fighter jet components, Bell helicopters, grain & cattle, consumer goods, dairy products, industrial equipment. Oakland's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, building materials, electronics, furniture, apparel. Industries driving this lane include aerospace & defense and rail logistics from Fort Worth and port operations & logistics and food & beverage distribution in Oakland.
When are rates highest on the Fort Worth to Oakland lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to aerospace & defense and rail logistics cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); 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 Fort Worth to Oakland lane?
At 1,878 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 20-24 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 Fort Worth to Oakland
We maintain working relationships with 88+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Fort Worth–Oakland 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