Freight Shipping from Little Rock to Los Angeles
Ship freight from Little Rock, AR to Los Angeles, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,132-$5,093, LTL from $1,257-$2,034. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,922 mi
Drive Time
35 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,132-$5,093
LTL Rate Est.
$1,257-$2,034
Little Rock to Los Angeles Freight Corridor
Little Rock benefits from its central US location at the junction of I-40 and I-30, putting it within a day's drive of Dallas, Memphis, Kansas City, and St. Louis. The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System connects the metro to inland barge traffic, creating intermodal opportunities for bulk shippers. The North Little Rock rail yards are among the busiest in the mid-South, with UP and BNSF both running major classification operations.
The Los Angeles basin is the undisputed freight capital of the Western Hemisphere. The San Pedro Bay port complex (LA + Long Beach) handles 40% of all US containerized imports, generating a tidal wave of drayage and long-haul freight that radiates outward on I-10, I-15, and I-5. The Inland Empire east of LA has become the largest warehouse market in the world, with over 600 million square feet of distribution space absorbing and redistributing Asian imports to every corner of the country.
The Little Rock-to-Los Angeles corridor spans 1,922 miles via I-40, I-30, I-5, I-10. This lane connects food processing and steel manufacturing freight from the Little Rock market to entertainment & media and international trade demand in Los Angeles. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Little Rock
Little Rock's economy is driven by food processing, steel manufacturing, defense, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
processed poultry
steel products
rice & grains
paper & tissue products
military equipment
packaged foods
What Los Angeles Receives
Los Angeles's entertainment & media, international trade, aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Little Rock.
consumer electronics
furniture & housewares
automotive parts
textiles & fabrics
industrial machinery
toys & games
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Little Rock and Los Angeles, 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.
$4,132-$5,093 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.
$5,093-$6,439 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.
$5,478-$7,015 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.
$1,257-$2,034 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Little Rock to Los Angeles lane (1,922 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,132-$5,093 | 35 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,257-$2,034 | 37-39 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $6,247-$8,649 | 23 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,595-$3,556 | 38-40 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Little Rock and Los Angeles that drive volume on this lane.
Dillard's (HQ)
Welspun Tubular
L'Oreal Manufacturing
Amazon (15+ facilities)
Target (import DC)
Nike Distribution
Shipping Tips for Little Rock to Los Angeles
Little Rock Seasonal Advisory
Rice harvest (August-October) drives bulk and hopper trailer demand. Post-Thanksgiving through Christmas, Dillard's distribution network creates retail surge freight on lanes to the Southeast and Midwest.
Los Angeles Seasonal Advisory
Import surge begins in August for holiday retail season, peaking in October-November. Chinese New Year (January-February) creates a brief lull followed by a restocking wave in March.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,922 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.
Little Rock to Los Angeles Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Little Rock to Los Angeles?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Little Rock, AR to Los Angeles, CA currently range from $4,132-$5,093 for a standard dry van load over the 1,922-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $1,257-$2,034 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 Little Rock to Los Angeles?
Standard FTL transit from Little Rock to Los Angeles is approximately 35 hrs by truck over 1,922 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 Little Rock to Los Angeles freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Little Rock commonly ships processed poultry, steel products, rice & grains, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Los Angeles commonly receives consumer electronics, furniture & housewares, automotive parts. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Los Angeles to Little Rock?
Yes. Los Angeles is a strong outbound market shipping containerized imports (re-distribution), entertainment equipment, apparel & fashion. Carriers returning from Los Angeles to Little Rock can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Little Rock-to-Los Angeles lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Little Rock to Los Angeles?
The Little Rock-to-Los Angeles corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Little Rock's top outbound commodities include processed poultry, steel products, rice & grains, paper & tissue products, military equipment, packaged foods. Los Angeles's primary inbound freight includes consumer electronics, furniture & housewares, automotive parts, textiles & fabrics, industrial machinery, toys & games. Industries driving this lane include food processing and steel manufacturing from Little Rock and entertainment & media and international trade in Los Angeles.
Get Exact Rates for Little Rock to Los Angeles
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