Freight Shipping from Long Beach to Atlanta
Ship freight from Long Beach, CA to Atlanta, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $5,403-$6,659, LTL from $1,582-$2,536. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,513 mi
Drive Time
46 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$5,403-$6,659
LTL Rate Est.
$1,582-$2,536
Energy & Chemicals Route
Long Beach → Atlanta Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
98–123
running this lane
Weekly Loads
108–121
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
64/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$26–$43 one-way passing through CA, GA, AR, OK, NM. 6 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.
Long Beach to Atlanta Freight Corridor
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.
Atlanta is the freight crossroads of the Southeast and arguably the most balanced truck market in the country. The convergence of I-75, I-85, and I-20 creates a natural hub where carriers can find loads heading in virtually any direction within hours. UPS and The Home Depot both headquarter their logistics operations here, contributing to a freight ecosystem so dense that the metro has more warehouse space than most states. Norfolk Southern and CSX both maintain major intermodal operations, making Atlanta the rail freight capital of the Southeast.
The Long Beach-to-Atlanta corridor spans 2,513 miles via I-710, I-405, I-75, I-85. This lane connects port operations and oil & petrochemicals freight from the Long Beach market to logistics & distribution and film & entertainment demand in Atlanta. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Long Beach
Long Beach's economy is driven by port operations, oil & petrochemicals, aerospace, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
transloaded imports
petroleum products
recycled materials
aerospace components
machinery
cotton exports
What Atlanta Receives
Atlanta's logistics & distribution, film & entertainment, financial technology sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Long Beach.
consumer goods
construction materials
automotive parts
electronics
food ingredients
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Long Beach and Atlanta, 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.
$5,403-$6,659 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.
$7,162-$9,172 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$7,916-$10,680 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.
$1,582-$2,536 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Long Beach to Atlanta lane (2,513 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $5,403-$6,659 | 46 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,582-$2,536 | 48-50 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $8,167-$11,309 | 30 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $3,393-$4,649 | 49-51 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Long Beach and Atlanta that drive volume on this lane.
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
The Home Depot (HQ)
UPS (HQ)
Coca-Cola (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Long Beach to Atlanta
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.
Atlanta Seasonal Advisory
Home improvement freight (Home Depot's supply chain) peaks March through June. Carpet shipments from the Dalton mills 90 miles north run heaviest in spring and fall. Coca-Cola distribution spikes ahead of summer and holiday seasons.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,513 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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Long Beach and Atlanta — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
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.”
Destination
Atlanta, GA
- Metro Population
- 6.1M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.20-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-75, I-85, I-20
- Rail / Intermodal
- NS Inman Yard; CSX Fairburn Intermodal; NS Austell Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- South Atlanta/I-75 (McDonough/Locust Grove), West Atlanta/I-20 (Douglasville/Lithia Springs), Northeast/I-85 (Braselton/Jefferson)
“Atlanta's I-285 perimeter loop is the single most important freight route in the Southeast. Carriers who understand the clockwise vs. counterclockwise traffic patterns and time their crosstown runs to avoid the I-285/I-85 Spaghetti Junction can save 45-90 minutes per delivery.”
Return Loads from Atlanta
Backhaul from Atlanta to Long Beach requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Atlanta
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Long Beach to Atlanta Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Long Beach to Atlanta?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Long Beach, CA to Atlanta, GA currently range $5,403-$6,659 (roughly $2.16-$2.68 per mile over 2,513 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,582-$2,536 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 Long Beach to Atlanta?
Standard FTL transit from Long Beach to Atlanta is approximately 46 hrs by truck over 2,513 miles, with 6 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 Pier B On-Dock Rail (UP/BNSF) to NS Inman Yard takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Long Beach to Atlanta freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Long Beach commonly ships transloaded imports, petroleum products, recycled materials, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Atlanta commonly receives consumer goods, construction materials, automotive parts. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Atlanta to Long Beach?
Moderate backhaul (scored 64/100 based on Atlanta's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Atlanta to Long Beach requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Atlanta's top outbound commodities — automobiles (Kia), poultry products, soft drinks & beverages — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Long Beach to Atlanta?
The Long Beach-to-Atlanta corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Energy & Chemicals Route. Long Beach's top outbound commodities include transloaded imports, petroleum products, recycled materials, aerospace components, machinery, cotton exports. Atlanta's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, construction materials, automotive parts, electronics, food ingredients, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include port operations and oil & petrochemicals from Long Beach and logistics & distribution and film & entertainment in Atlanta.
What tolls should I expect on the Long Beach to Atlanta route?
Expect roughly $26-$43 in tolls round-trip passing through CA, GA, AR, OK, NM. Most rate quotes either include tolls in the line-haul or bill them as a separate pass-through — ask your dispatcher to confirm which model applies to your lane.
When are rates highest on the Long Beach to Atlanta lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to port operations and oil & petrochemicals cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); 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 Long Beach to Atlanta lane?
At 2,513 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 27-33 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 Long Beach to Atlanta
We maintain working relationships with 98+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Long Beach–Atlanta 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