Freight Shipping from Long Beach to Raleigh
Ship freight from Long Beach, CA to Raleigh, NC with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $6,244-$7,696, LTL from $1,797-$2,868. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,904 mi
Drive Time
53 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$6,244-$7,696
LTL Rate Est.
$1,797-$2,868
Long Beach to Raleigh 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.
Raleigh-Durham's Research Triangle Park (RTP) is the largest research park in the United States, housing 300+ companies that generate a unique freight mix of pharmaceutical shipments, laboratory equipment, and high-tech components. The Triangle's rapid population growth (50%+ in 20 years) has made it one of the fastest-growing freight markets on the East Coast, with new distribution center development struggling to keep pace.
The Long Beach-to-Raleigh corridor spans 2,904 miles via I-710, I-405, I-40, I-540. This lane connects port operations and oil & petrochemicals freight from the Long Beach market to technology & software and biotech & pharmaceuticals demand in Raleigh. 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 Raleigh Receives
Raleigh's technology & software, biotech & pharmaceuticals, higher education sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Long Beach.
consumer goods
lab equipment
building materials
electronics
food & beverage
packaging materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Long Beach and Raleigh, 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.
$6,244-$7,696 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.
$8,276-$10,600 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$9,148-$12,342 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.
$1,797-$2,868 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Long Beach to Raleigh lane (2,904 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $6,244-$7,696 | 53 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,797-$2,868 | 55-57 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $9,438-$13,068 | 35 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $3,920-$5,372 | 56-58 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Long Beach and Raleigh that drive volume on this lane.
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
Cisco Systems (RTP)
Biogen (RTP)
Fidelity Investments
Shipping Tips for Long Beach to Raleigh
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.
Raleigh Seasonal Advisory
Sweet potato harvest (September-November) from the eastern NC farms creates reefer demand on I-95 and I-40. University move-in season at Duke, UNC, and NC State (August) generates household goods freight surges across the Triangle.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,904 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 53 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.
Long Beach to Raleigh Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Long Beach to Raleigh?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Long Beach, CA to Raleigh, NC currently range from $6,244-$7,696 for a standard dry van load over the 2,904-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $1,797-$2,868 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Request a custom quote for exact pricing based on your specific shipment details.
How long does freight take from Long Beach to Raleigh?
Standard FTL transit from Long Beach to Raleigh is approximately 53 hrs by truck over 2,904 miles. 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 takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Long Beach to Raleigh 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. Raleigh commonly receives consumer goods, lab equipment, building materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Raleigh to Long Beach?
Yes. Raleigh is a strong outbound market shipping pharmaceuticals, medical devices, tech hardware. Carriers returning from Raleigh to Long Beach can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Long Beach-to-Raleigh lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Long Beach to Raleigh?
The Long Beach-to-Raleigh corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Long Beach's top outbound commodities include transloaded imports, petroleum products, recycled materials, aerospace components, machinery, cotton exports. Raleigh's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, lab equipment, building materials, electronics, food & beverage, packaging materials. Industries driving this lane include port operations and oil & petrochemicals from Long Beach and technology & software and biotech & pharmaceuticals in Raleigh.
Get Exact Rates for Long Beach to Raleigh
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Long Beach to Raleigh lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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