Freight Shipping from Long Beach to Bakersfield
Ship freight from Long Beach, CA to Bakersfield, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $335-$413, LTL from $286-$533. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
156 mi
Drive Time
3 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$335-$413
LTL Rate Est.
$286-$533
Consumer Goods Corridor
Long Beach → Bakersfield Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
153–173
running this lane
Weekly Loads
38–53
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
59/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$3–$4 one-way passing through CA. 1 typical fuel stop 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 Bakersfield 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.
Bakersfield is where California's two biggest freight industries — oil and agriculture — collide. Kern County is the state's top oil-producing county and its most productive agricultural county, creating a unique dual freight market. Grimmway Farms and Bolthouse Farms ship more carrots from here than anywhere else on Earth, while Chevron's Kern River oilfield operations generate tanker and flatbed freight year-round. The Tejon Commerce Center near the Grapevine (I-5/SR-99 junction) has emerged as a major distribution hub serving both LA and the Central Valley.
The Long Beach-to-Bakersfield corridor spans 156 miles via I-710, I-405, SR-99, SR-58. This lane connects port operations and oil & petrochemicals freight from the Long Beach market to oil & gas and agriculture demand in Bakersfield. 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 Bakersfield Receives
Bakersfield's oil & gas, agriculture, logistics & distribution sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Long Beach.
drilling equipment
consumer goods
fertilizers
fuel products
building materials
packaging supplies
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Long Beach and Bakersfield, 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.
$335-$413 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.
$445-$569 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$491-$663 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.
$286-$533 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Long Beach to Bakersfield lane (156 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $335-$413 | 3 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $286-$533 | 5-7 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $507-$702 | 2 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Long Beach and Bakersfield that drive volume on this lane.
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
Chevron (Kern River oilfields)
Grimmway Farms (world's largest carrot grower)
Bolthouse Farms
Shipping Tips for Long Beach to Bakersfield
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.
Bakersfield Seasonal Advisory
Grape harvest (August-October) is the biggest produce freight event. Carrot and vegetable shipments run nearly year-round. Oil production is steady but drilling activity varies with crude prices. Solar farm construction in the Mojave (spring-fall) creates heavy haul opportunities.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 156 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 Long Beach and Bakersfield — 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
Bakersfield, CA
- Metro Population
- 910K metro (Kern County)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- SR-99, SR-58, I-5 (nearby via SR-99)
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Bakersfield Yard; Union Pacific Bakersfield Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- Tejon Commerce Center/SR-58 East, South Bakersfield/SR-99, Shafter/Lerdo Highway
“The Grapevine on I-5 south of Bakersfield is one of the most dreaded mountain passes for truckers, but it also creates opportunity — loads that need to cross the Grapevine to/from LA command premium rates due to fuel costs and time. Carriers based in Bakersfield who know the pass conditions have a natural advantage.”
Return Loads from Bakersfield
Backhaul from Bakersfield to Long Beach requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Bakersfield
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Long Beach to Bakersfield Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Long Beach to Bakersfield?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Long Beach, CA to Bakersfield, CA currently range $335-$413 (roughly $2.15-$2.67 per mile over 156 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $286-$533 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced 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 Bakersfield?
Standard FTL transit from Long Beach to Bakersfield is approximately 3 hrs by truck over 156 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 Long Beach to Bakersfield 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. Bakersfield commonly receives drilling equipment, consumer goods, fertilizers. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Bakersfield to Long Beach?
Moderate backhaul (scored 59/100 based on Bakersfield's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Bakersfield to Long Beach requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Bakersfield's top outbound commodities — crude oil, grapes & table fruit, carrots & vegetables — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Long Beach to Bakersfield?
The Long Beach-to-Bakersfield corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Long Beach's top outbound commodities include transloaded imports, petroleum products, recycled materials, aerospace components, machinery, cotton exports. Bakersfield's primary inbound freight includes drilling equipment, consumer goods, fertilizers, fuel products, building materials, packaging supplies. Industries driving this lane include port operations and oil & petrochemicals from Long Beach and oil & gas and agriculture in Bakersfield.
When are rates highest on the Long Beach to Bakersfield 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); 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.
Can freight from Long Beach to Bakersfield be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 156 miles (3 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Long Beach-to-Bakersfield 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 2 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Long Beach to Bakersfield
We maintain working relationships with 153+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Long Beach–Bakersfield 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