Freight Shipping from Laredo to Long Beach
Ship freight from Laredo, TX to Long Beach, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $3,326-$4,100, LTL from $1,051-$1,715. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,547 mi
Drive Time
28 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$3,326-$4,100
LTL Rate Est.
$1,051-$1,715
Energy & Chemicals Route
Laredo → Long Beach Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
105–130
running this lane
Weekly Loads
38–55
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
86/100
Excellent
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$19–$31 one-way passing through TX, CA, OK, NM. 4 typical fuel stops 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.
Laredo to Long Beach Freight Corridor
Laredo is the busiest inland port in the Western Hemisphere, handling over $300 billion in annual trade across four international bridges connecting to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. More than 14,000 commercial trucks cross daily, carrying everything from Mexican-assembled vehicles and auto parts to fresh produce and electronics. The World Trade Bridge processes more northbound commercial traffic than any other U.S. border crossing, and the city's entire economy revolves around the cross-border logistics industry.
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 Laredo-to-Long Beach corridor spans 1,547 miles via I-35, US-83, I-710, I-405. This lane connects international trade & customs brokerage and cross-border logistics freight from the Laredo 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 Laredo
Laredo's economy is driven by international trade & customs brokerage, cross-border logistics, warehousing & distribution, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
Mexican auto parts
electronics assemblies
fresh produce
beer & beverages
manufactured goods (northbound from Mexico)
avocados
What Long Beach Receives
Long Beach's port operations, oil & petrochemicals, aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Laredo.
containerized consumer goods
electronics
furniture
auto parts
textiles
toys & housewares
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Laredo 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.
$3,326-$4,100 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.
$4,100-$5,182 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.
$1,051-$1,715 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Laredo to Long Beach lane (1,547 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $3,326-$4,100 | 28 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,051-$1,715 | 30-32 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $5,028-$6,962 | 19 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,088-$2,862 | 31-33 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Laredo and Long Beach that drive volume on this lane.
Walmart Cross-Border Operations
Ryder (cross-border hub)
XPO Logistics (Laredo hub)
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
Shipping Tips for Laredo to Long Beach
Laredo Seasonal Advisory
Produce imports (avocados, tomatoes, berries) peak November through April during Mexican growing season. Automotive cross-border freight runs year-round but dips during Mexican plant shutdowns in December. Trade policy changes and border processing delays can cause sudden rate volatility.
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 1,547 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 28 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 Laredo and Long Beach — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Laredo, TX
- Metro Population
- 275K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-35, US-83, US-59
- Rail / Intermodal
- Union Pacific Laredo Yard; KCS Laredo International Rail Gateway
- Warehouse Districts
- World Trade Bridge Industrial Park, Laredo Trade Center/I-35 North, Mines Road Corridor
“Laredo's northbound freight is overwhelmingly stronger than southbound — loaded trucks head north to San Antonio, Dallas, and beyond, while many return empty or lightly loaded. Carriers who can secure southbound loads of raw materials or grain heading to Mexican factories turn a dead leg into revenue.”
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 Laredo typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the 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
Laredo to Long Beach Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Laredo to Long Beach?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Laredo, TX to Long Beach, CA currently range $3,326-$4,100 (roughly $2.16-$2.67 per mile over 1,547 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,051-$1,715 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 Laredo to Long Beach?
Standard FTL transit from Laredo to Long Beach is approximately 28 hrs by truck over 1,547 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 Laredo Yard to Pier B On-Dock Rail (UP/BNSF) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Laredo to Long Beach freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Laredo commonly ships Mexican auto parts, electronics assemblies, fresh produce, 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 Laredo?
Excellent backhaul (scored 86/100 based on Long Beach's outbound commodity mix). Long Beach is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Laredo 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 Laredo to Long Beach?
The Laredo-to-Long Beach corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Energy & Chemicals Route. Laredo's top outbound commodities include Mexican auto parts, electronics assemblies, fresh produce, beer & beverages, manufactured goods (northbound from Mexico), avocados. Long Beach's primary inbound freight includes containerized consumer goods, electronics, furniture, auto parts, textiles, toys & housewares. Industries driving this lane include international trade & customs brokerage and cross-border logistics from Laredo and port operations and oil & petrochemicals in Long Beach.
When are rates highest on the Laredo to Long Beach lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to international trade & customs brokerage and cross-border logistics 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.
Should I use team drivers for the Laredo to Long Beach lane?
At 1,547 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 17-20 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 Laredo to Long Beach
We maintain working relationships with 105+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Laredo–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