Freight Shipping from Long Beach to San Diego
Ship freight from Long Beach, CA to San Diego, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $262-$323, LTL from $267-$504. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
122 mi
Drive Time
2 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$262-$323
LTL Rate Est.
$267-$504
Energy & Chemicals Route
Long Beach → San Diego Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
161–180
running this lane
Weekly Loads
84–100
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
67/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$2–$3 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 San Diego 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.
San Diego's freight profile is defined by two forces: the massive military presence (Naval Base San Diego is the largest on the West Coast) and the Otay Mesa border crossing into Tijuana. The Otay Mesa industrial zone processes billions in cross-border maquiladora freight daily, with electronics and medical devices flowing north while raw materials and components move south. Biotech companies along the Torrey Pines corridor generate premium temperature-controlled shipments.
The Long Beach-to-San Diego corridor spans 122 miles via I-710, I-405, I-5, I-8. This lane connects port operations and oil & petrochemicals freight from the Long Beach market to defense & military and biotechnology demand in San Diego. 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 San Diego Receives
San Diego's defense & military, biotechnology, telecommunications sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Long Beach.
military supplies
electronic components
consumer goods
construction materials
cross-border maquiladora goods
raw materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Long Beach and San Diego, 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.
$262-$323 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.
$348-$445 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$384-$519 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.
$267-$504 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Long Beach to San Diego lane (122 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $262-$323 | 2 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $267-$504 | 4-6 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $397-$549 | 1 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Long Beach and San Diego that drive volume on this lane.
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
General Atomics
Qualcomm
Northrop Grumman
Shipping Tips for Long Beach to San Diego
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.
San Diego Seasonal Advisory
Avocado season (spring through summer) drives reefer demand from Fallbrook and surrounding groves. Military fiscal year-end (September) triggers a rush of defense shipments. Cross-border freight dips during Mexican holidays.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 122 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 San Diego — 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
San Diego, CA
- Metro Population
- 3.3M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.35-$2.70/mi
- Key Highways
- I-5, I-8, I-15
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF San Diego Intermodal
- Port Access
- Port of San Diego (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Otay Mesa (border zone), Kearny Mesa, Miramar
“Otay Mesa border crossing wait times directly impact freight rates. During peak crossing delays (often 2-4 hours), carriers add $200-400 per load in detention surcharges. Trusted Trader (C-TPAT) carriers with FAST lane access command premium contracts.”
Return Loads from San Diego
Backhaul from San Diego to Long Beach requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from San Diego
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 San Diego Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Long Beach to San Diego?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Long Beach, CA to San Diego, CA currently range $262-$323 (roughly $2.16-$2.67 per mile over 122 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $267-$504 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 San Diego?
Standard FTL transit from Long Beach to San Diego is approximately 2 hrs by truck over 122 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 San Diego 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. San Diego commonly receives military supplies, electronic components, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from San Diego to Long Beach?
Moderate backhaul (scored 67/100 based on San Diego's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from San Diego to Long Beach requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. San Diego's top outbound commodities — defense electronics, biotech products, telecommunications equipment — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Long Beach to San Diego?
The Long Beach-to-San Diego 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. San Diego's primary inbound freight includes military supplies, electronic components, consumer goods, construction materials, cross-border maquiladora goods, raw materials. Industries driving this lane include port operations and oil & petrochemicals from Long Beach and defense & military and biotechnology in San Diego.
When are rates highest on the Long Beach to San Diego 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.
Can freight from Long Beach to San Diego be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 122 miles (2 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Long Beach-to-San Diego 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 2 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Long Beach to San Diego
We maintain working relationships with 161+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Long Beach–San Diego 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