Freight Shipping from Long Beach to Minneapolis
Ship freight from Long Beach, CA to Minneapolis, MN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,279-$5,274, LTL from $1,295-$2,092. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,990 mi
Drive Time
36 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,279-$5,274
LTL Rate Est.
$1,295-$2,092
Fresh Food Lane
Long Beach → Minneapolis Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
82–101
running this lane
Weekly Loads
101–118
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
65/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$22–$37 one-way passing through CA, MN, MO, AR, OK, NM. 5 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 Minneapolis 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.
Minneapolis-St. Paul is the Upper Midwest's dominant freight hub, anchored by Fortune 500 shippers like Target, General Mills, 3M, and Medtronic. Target's distribution network alone generates thousands of truckloads weekly from its Midwest DCs. The Twin Cities' position at the intersection of I-94 and I-35 makes it the natural routing point for freight moving between Chicago, the Dakotas, and the Canadian border.
The Long Beach-to-Minneapolis corridor spans 1,990 miles via I-710, I-405, I-94, I-35. This lane connects port operations and oil & petrochemicals freight from the Long Beach market to food processing & cpg and medical devices demand in Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis Receives
Minneapolis's food processing & cpg, medical devices, retail headquarters sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Long Beach.
consumer goods
raw grain & commodities
packaging materials
electronics
building materials
imported merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Long Beach and Minneapolis, 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.
$4,279-$5,274 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.
$5,672-$7,264 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$6,269-$8,458 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.
$1,295-$2,092 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Long Beach to Minneapolis lane (1,990 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,279-$5,274 | 36 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,295-$2,092 | 38-40 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $6,468-$8,955 | 24 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,687-$3,682 | 39-41 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Long Beach and Minneapolis that drive volume on this lane.
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
General Mills
Target Corporation
Medtronic
Shipping Tips for Long Beach to Minneapolis
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.
Minneapolis Seasonal Advisory
Harvest season (September-November) floods the market with grain trucks competing for capacity on I-94 and I-35. Winter weather from November through March regularly shuts down I-94 westbound, creating rate spikes and transit delays.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,990 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 36 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 Minneapolis — 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
Minneapolis, MN
- Metro Population
- 3.7M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-94, I-35, I-494
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Midway Intermodal; UP Minneapolis Yard; CP Shoreham Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- Shakopee/Savage I-35 South, Rogers/I-94 West, Eagan/I-35E Corridor
“Minneapolis is a net-negative freight market — more goods flow in than out — which means carriers can often negotiate premium rates for outbound loads. Brokers who can offer consistent outbound volume from General Mills or 3M facilities have significant carrier recruitment advantages.”
Return Loads from Minneapolis
Backhaul from Minneapolis to Long Beach requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Minneapolis
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 Minneapolis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Long Beach to Minneapolis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Long Beach, CA to Minneapolis, MN currently range $4,279-$5,274 (roughly $2.15-$2.67 per mile over 1,990 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,295-$2,092 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 Minneapolis?
Standard FTL transit from Long Beach to Minneapolis is approximately 36 hrs by truck over 1,990 miles, with 5 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 Midway Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Long Beach to Minneapolis 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. Minneapolis commonly receives consumer goods, raw grain & commodities, packaging materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Minneapolis to Long Beach?
Moderate backhaul (scored 65/100 based on Minneapolis's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Minneapolis to Long Beach requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Minneapolis's top outbound commodities — processed foods & cereal, medical devices, retail distribution — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Long Beach to Minneapolis?
The Long Beach-to-Minneapolis 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. Minneapolis's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, raw grain & commodities, packaging materials, electronics, building materials, imported merchandise. Industries driving this lane include port operations and oil & petrochemicals from Long Beach and food processing & CPG and medical devices in Minneapolis.
When are rates highest on the Long Beach to Minneapolis 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.
Should I use team drivers for the Long Beach to Minneapolis lane?
At 1,990 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 21-26 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 Minneapolis
We maintain working relationships with 82+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Long Beach–Minneapolis 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