Freight Shipping from Long Beach to Denver
Ship freight from Long Beach, CA to Denver, CO with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,341-$2,886, LTL from $799-$1,326. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,089 mi
Drive Time
20 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,341-$2,886
LTL Rate Est.
$799-$1,326
Energy & Chemicals Route
Long Beach → Denver Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
158–183
running this lane
Weekly Loads
105–125
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
63/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$13–$21 one-way passing through CA, CO, NM. 2 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.
Long Beach to Denver 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.
Denver is the Rocky Mountain region's undisputed freight hub and the last major distribution point before the I-70 mountain corridor forces carriers through some of the most challenging terrain in the lower 48. The city's booming population growth has spawned massive warehouse development along the I-76 and E-470 corridors near DIA. Denver's natural foods industry, anchored by WhiteWave, Natural Grocers, and dozens of craft producers, generates high-value reefer freight heading to both coasts.
The Long Beach-to-Denver corridor spans 1,089 miles via I-710, I-405, I-25, I-70. This lane connects port operations and oil & petrochemicals freight from the Long Beach market to aerospace & defense and technology demand in Denver. 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 Denver Receives
Denver's aerospace & defense, technology, natural foods & beverage sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Long Beach.
consumer goods
building materials
automotive vehicles
industrial machinery
fresh produce
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Long Beach and Denver, 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.
$2,341-$2,886 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.
$2,886-$3,648 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.
$3,104-$3,975 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,430-$4,628 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Long Beach to Denver lane (1,089 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,341-$2,886 | 20 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $799-$1,326 | 22-24 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,539-$4,901 | 13 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,470-$2,015 | 23-25 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Long Beach and Denver that drive volume on this lane.
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
Amazon (4 facilities)
Lockheed Martin (Waterton)
Ball Corporation (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Long Beach to Denver
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.
Denver Seasonal Advisory
Construction season (April-October) drives flatbed demand for building materials headed to mountain resort communities. Ski season freight (equipment, supplies) peaks September-November as resorts stock up.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,089 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 20 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 Denver — 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
Denver, CO
- Metro Population
- 2.9M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.25-$2.60/mi
- Key Highways
- I-25, I-70, I-76
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Irondale Intermodal; UP Denver Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- DIA/Aurora Corridor, Henderson/I-76, Centennial/I-25 South
“Winter chain laws on I-70 west of Denver (Eisenhower Tunnel) regularly shut down truck traffic, sometimes for days. Experienced carriers build 24-48 hours of buffer into westbound Mountain Corridor loads between November and April.”
Return Loads from Denver
Backhaul from Denver to Long Beach requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Denver
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
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Long Beach to Denver Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Long Beach to Denver?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Long Beach, CA to Denver, CO currently range $2,341-$2,886 (roughly $2.16-$2.67 per mile over 1,089 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $799-$1,326 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 Denver?
Standard FTL transit from Long Beach to Denver is approximately 20 hrs by truck over 1,089 miles, with 2 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 BNSF Irondale Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Long Beach to Denver 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. Denver commonly receives consumer goods, building materials, automotive vehicles. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Denver to Long Beach?
Moderate backhaul (scored 63/100 based on Denver's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Denver to Long Beach requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Denver's top outbound commodities — natural & organic foods, craft beer & spirits, aerospace components — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Long Beach to Denver?
The Long Beach-to-Denver 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. Denver's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, building materials, automotive vehicles, industrial machinery, fresh produce, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include port operations and oil & petrochemicals from Long Beach and aerospace & defense and technology in Denver.
When are rates highest on the Long Beach to Denver lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to port operations and oil & petrochemicals 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); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Mon, Tue, Wed) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Long Beach to Denver
We maintain working relationships with 158+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Long Beach–Denver 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