Freight Shipping from Fresno to Long Beach
Ship freight from Fresno, CA to Long Beach, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $626-$771, LTL from $360-$647. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
291 mi
Drive Time
5 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$626-$771
LTL Rate Est.
$360-$647
Energy & Chemicals Route
Fresno → Long Beach Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
163–181
running this lane
Weekly Loads
86–105
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
69/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$5–$8 one-way passing through CA. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Mon, Tue, Wed. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Fresno to Long Beach Freight Corridor
Fresno County is the single most productive agricultural county in the United States, and the city sits at the epicenter of a reefer freight machine that feeds the nation. Every major agricultural commodity — from grapes and citrus to dairy and nuts — ships from cold storage facilities clustered along SR-99. The BNSF intermodal facility connects Valley produce to transcontinental rail networks, but the vast majority moves by truck on the two-lane highways that crisscross the Valley floor.
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 Fresno-to-Long Beach corridor spans 291 miles via SR-99, SR-41, I-710, I-405. This lane connects agriculture and food processing freight from the Fresno 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 Fresno
Fresno's economy is driven by agriculture, food processing, wine production, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
grapes & raisins
citrus fruits
tomatoes
dairy products
almonds & pistachios
cotton
What Long Beach Receives
Long Beach's port operations, oil & petrochemicals, aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Fresno.
containerized consumer goods
electronics
furniture
auto parts
textiles
toys & housewares
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Fresno 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.
$626-$771 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.
$771-$975 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.
$360-$647 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Fresno to Long Beach lane (291 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $626-$771 | 5 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $360-$647 | 7-9 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $946-$1,310 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Fresno and Long Beach that drive volume on this lane.
Sun-Maid Growers
Producers Dairy
Zacky Farms
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
Shipping Tips for Fresno to Long Beach
Fresno Seasonal Advisory
Grape harvest (August-October) is the largest single event. Citrus runs November through April. There is no true "slow season" in Fresno if you haul reefer — something is always being harvested or processed.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 291 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
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 Fresno and Long Beach — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Fresno, CA
- Metro Population
- 1.0M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- SR-99, SR-41, SR-180
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Fresno Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- South Fresno/SR-99 Corridor, Fresno Yosemite International Airport area
“Fresno's reefer market operates on agricultural cycles, not retail cycles. Carriers who understand the planting-to-harvest calendar for each commodity can position trucks weeks ahead of demand spikes and negotiate rates 15-20% above spot.”
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 generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Fresno is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Long Beach
Seasonal Rate Patterns
May-Aug (produce season)
+12-18% on reefer capacity
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Fresno to Long Beach Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Fresno to Long Beach?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Fresno, CA to Long Beach, CA currently range $626-$771 (roughly $2.18-$2.66 per mile over 291 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $360-$647 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 Fresno to Long Beach?
Standard FTL transit from Fresno to Long Beach is approximately 5 hrs by truck over 291 miles, with 1 typical fuel stop 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%.
What equipment do I need for Fresno to Long Beach freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Fresno commonly ships grapes & raisins, citrus fruits, tomatoes, 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 Fresno?
Strong backhaul (scored 69/100 based on Long Beach's outbound commodity mix). Long Beach generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Fresno is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of 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 Fresno to Long Beach?
The Fresno-to-Long Beach corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Energy & Chemicals Route. Fresno's top outbound commodities include grapes & raisins, citrus fruits, tomatoes, dairy products, almonds & pistachios, cotton. Long Beach's primary inbound freight includes containerized consumer goods, electronics, furniture, auto parts, textiles, toys & housewares. Industries driving this lane include agriculture and food processing from Fresno and port operations and oil & petrochemicals in Long Beach.
When are rates highest on the Fresno to Long Beach lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to agriculture and food processing cycles. Key periods: May-Aug (produce season) (+12-18% on reefer capacity); Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Mon, Tue, Wed) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Can freight from Fresno to Long Beach be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 291 miles (5 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Fresno-to-Long Beach lane in one shift. Same-day delivery requires booking before 9 AM local time at origin and confirming dock availability at destination. Expedited service runs 4 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Fresno to Long Beach
We maintain working relationships with 163+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Fresno–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