Freight Shipping from Long Beach to Fresno
Ship freight from Long Beach, CA to Fresno, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $626-$771, LTL from $360-$647. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
291 mi
Drive Time
5 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$626-$771
LTL Rate Est.
$360-$647
Fresh Food Lane
Long Beach → Fresno Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
164–183
running this lane
Weekly Loads
86–104
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.66
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
$5–$8 one-way passing through CA. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Long Beach to Fresno 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.
Fresno County is the single most productive agricultural county in the United States, and the city sits at the epicenter of a reefer freight machine that feeds the nation. Every major agricultural commodity — from grapes and citrus to dairy and nuts — ships from cold storage facilities clustered along SR-99. The BNSF intermodal facility connects Valley produce to transcontinental rail networks, but the vast majority moves by truck on the two-lane highways that crisscross the Valley floor.
The Long Beach-to-Fresno corridor spans 291 miles via I-710, I-405, SR-99, SR-41. This lane connects port operations and oil & petrochemicals freight from the Long Beach market to agriculture and food processing demand in Fresno. 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 Fresno Receives
Fresno's agriculture, food processing, wine production sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Long Beach.
agricultural chemicals
packaging materials
farm equipment
fuel & diesel
fertilizers
irrigation equipment
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Long Beach and Fresno, 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.
$626-$771 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.
$829-$1,062 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$917-$1,237 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.
$360-$647 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Long Beach to Fresno lane (291 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $626-$771 | 5 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $360-$647 | 7-9 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $946-$1,310 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Long Beach and Fresno that drive volume on this lane.
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
Sun-Maid Growers
Producers Dairy
Zacky Farms
Shipping Tips for Long Beach to Fresno
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.
Fresno Seasonal Advisory
Grape harvest (August-October) is the largest single event. Citrus runs November through April. There is no true "slow season" in Fresno if you haul reefer — something is always being harvested or processed.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 291 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 Fresno — 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
Fresno, CA
- Metro Population
- 1.0M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- SR-99, SR-41, SR-180
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Fresno Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- South Fresno/SR-99 Corridor, Fresno Yosemite International Airport area
“Fresno's reefer market operates on agricultural cycles, not retail cycles. Carriers who understand the planting-to-harvest calendar for each commodity can position trucks weeks ahead of demand spikes and negotiate rates 15-20% above spot.”
Return Loads from Fresno
Backhaul from Fresno to Long Beach requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Fresno
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Q4 general freight peak
+10-15% on all equipment
Feb post-holiday lull
-6-10% spot rates
Long Beach to Fresno Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Long Beach to Fresno?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Long Beach, CA to Fresno, CA currently range $626-$771 (roughly $2.18-$2.66 per mile over 291 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $360-$647 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 Fresno?
Standard FTL transit from Long Beach to Fresno is approximately 5 hrs by truck over 291 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 Fresno 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. Fresno commonly receives agricultural chemicals, packaging materials, farm equipment. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Fresno to Long Beach?
Moderate backhaul (scored 59/100 based on Fresno's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Fresno to Long Beach requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Fresno's top outbound commodities — grapes & raisins, citrus fruits, tomatoes — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Long Beach to Fresno?
The Long Beach-to-Fresno corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. Long Beach's top outbound commodities include transloaded imports, petroleum products, recycled materials, aerospace components, machinery, cotton exports. Fresno's primary inbound freight includes agricultural chemicals, packaging materials, farm equipment, fuel & diesel, fertilizers, irrigation equipment. Industries driving this lane include port operations and oil & petrochemicals from Long Beach and agriculture and food processing in Fresno.
When are rates highest on the Long Beach to Fresno lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to port operations and oil & petrochemicals cycles. Key periods: Q4 general freight peak (+10-15% on all equipment); Feb post-holiday lull (-6-10% spot rates). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM pickups when possible.
Can freight from Long Beach to Fresno be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 291 miles (5 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Long Beach-to-Fresno 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 4 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Long Beach to Fresno
We maintain working relationships with 164+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Long Beach–Fresno 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