Freight Shipping from Long Beach to Modesto
Ship freight from Long Beach, CA to Modesto, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $866-$1,068, LTL from $422-$743. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
403 mi
Drive Time
7 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$866-$1,068
LTL Rate Est.
$422-$743
Fresh Food Lane
Long Beach → Modesto Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
153–167
running this lane
Weekly Loads
41–55
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
56/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$7–$11 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 Modesto 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.
Modesto is the food and wine capital of the northern San Joaquin Valley. E. & J. Gallo Winery, the largest wine company in the world, is headquartered here and operates massive bottling, warehousing, and distribution operations that generate a continuous stream of temperature-controlled freight. Foster Farms' poultry processing headquarters in nearby Livingston creates daily reefer loads heading to grocery distribution centers across the West Coast. The surrounding farmland produces almonds, walnuts, and stone fruit that flow through Modesto's cold storage and processing facilities.
The Long Beach-to-Modesto corridor spans 403 miles via I-710, I-405, SR-99, SR-132. This lane connects port operations and oil & petrochemicals freight from the Long Beach market to agriculture & food processing and wine production demand in Modesto. 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 Modesto Receives
Modesto's agriculture & food processing, wine production, dairy sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Long Beach.
packaging materials
agricultural chemicals
consumer goods
fuel products
glass bottles (for wine)
food ingredients
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Long Beach and Modesto, 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.
$866-$1,068 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.
$1,149-$1,471 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,269-$1,713 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.
$422-$743 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Long Beach to Modesto lane (403 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $866-$1,068 | 7 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $422-$743 | 9-11 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,310-$1,814 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Long Beach and Modesto that drive volume on this lane.
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
E. & J. Gallo Winery (HQ)
Foster Farms (HQ, Livingston)
Del Monte Foods
Shipping Tips for Long Beach to Modesto
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.
Modesto Seasonal Advisory
Almond and walnut harvest (August-November) creates massive outbound freight demand. Wine bottling and shipments peak ahead of holiday seasons. Poultry processing runs year-round with modest Thanksgiving and Christmas surges. Stone fruit season (May-September) adds reefer demand.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 403 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 Modesto — 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
Modesto, CA
- Metro Population
- 550K metro (Stanislaus County)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- SR-99, SR-132, SR-108
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Modesto Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- South Modesto/SR-99, Turlock/SR-99 South, Salida/SR-99 North
“Gallo Winery's distribution network is one of the most efficient in the beverage industry — carriers who earn preferred status access dedicated lanes with premium rates and predictable volumes. The key is meeting Gallo's strict on-time delivery requirements and temperature control standards for wine shipments.”
Return Loads from Modesto
Backhaul from Modesto to Long Beach requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Modesto
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Long Beach to Modesto Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Long Beach to Modesto?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Long Beach, CA to Modesto, CA currently range $866-$1,068 (roughly $2.15-$2.67 per mile over 403 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $422-$743 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 Modesto?
Standard FTL transit from Long Beach to Modesto is approximately 7 hrs by truck over 403 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 Modesto 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. Modesto commonly receives packaging materials, agricultural chemicals, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Modesto to Long Beach?
Moderate backhaul (scored 56/100 based on Modesto's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Modesto to Long Beach requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Modesto's top outbound commodities — almonds & walnuts, wine & spirits, dairy products — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Long Beach to Modesto?
The Long Beach-to-Modesto 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. Modesto's primary inbound freight includes packaging materials, agricultural chemicals, consumer goods, fuel products, glass bottles (for wine), food ingredients. Industries driving this lane include port operations and oil & petrochemicals from Long Beach and agriculture & food processing and wine production in Modesto.
When are rates highest on the Long Beach to Modesto 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). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Long Beach to Modesto
We maintain working relationships with 153+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Long Beach–Modesto 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