Freight Shipping from Long Beach to Stockton
Ship freight from Long Beach, CA to Stockton, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $942-$1,161, LTL from $441-$772. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
438 mi
Drive Time
8 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$942-$1,161
LTL Rate Est.
$441-$772
Port Drayage Corridor
Long Beach → Stockton Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
158–183
running this lane
Weekly Loads
39–53
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
$7–$12 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 Stockton 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.
Stockton combines California's Central Valley agriculture with a deep-water port and a rapidly growing warehouse district that serves as overflow for the congested Bay Area. The Port of Stockton — California's only inland deep-water port — handles bulk commodities that feed the Valley's agricultural economy. The city's position at the junction of I-5 and SR-99 makes it the natural freight gateway between the Bay Area and the southern Central Valley. Amazon's fulfillment presence has accelerated the transformation of former agricultural land into modern distribution space.
The Long Beach-to-Stockton corridor spans 438 miles via I-710, I-405, I-5, SR-99. This lane connects port operations and oil & petrochemicals freight from the Long Beach market to agriculture and port logistics demand in Stockton. 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 Stockton Receives
Stockton's agriculture, port logistics, warehousing & distribution sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Long Beach.
consumer goods
building materials
fertilizers & agricultural chemicals
packaging materials
fuel products
imported goods (via port)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Long Beach and Stockton, 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.
$942-$1,161 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.
$1,248-$1,599 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,380-$1,862 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.
$441-$772 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Long Beach to Stockton lane (438 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $942-$1,161 | 8 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $441-$772 | 10-12 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,424-$1,971 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Long Beach and Stockton that drive volume on this lane.
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
Port of Stockton
Amazon SCK Fulfillment
Diamond Pet Foods
Shipping Tips for Long Beach to Stockton
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.
Stockton Seasonal Advisory
Cherry and asparagus harvest (April-June) kicks off the produce season, followed by almonds (August-October) and walnuts (September-November). Amazon fulfillment peaks in Q4. Port activity is year-round but increases during grain export season (late summer through fall).
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 438 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 Stockton — 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
Stockton, CA
- Metro Population
- 780K metro (San Joaquin County)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-5, SR-99, SR-4
- Rail / Intermodal
- Port of Stockton Intermodal (deepwater port); BNSF Stockton Yard
- Port Access
- Port of Stockton (San Joaquin River deep-water, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Arch Road/SR-99 South, Port of Stockton/Navy Drive, French Camp/I-5
“Stockton is the secret weapon for carriers who want Bay Area rates without Bay Area congestion. Many shippers have relocated distribution to Stockton for lower costs, and loads originating here often pay Bay Area rates since they serve the same end markets. The trick is avoiding SR-4 during commute hours.”
Return Loads from Stockton
Backhaul from Stockton to Long Beach requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Stockton
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 Stockton Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Long Beach to Stockton?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Long Beach, CA to Stockton, CA currently range $942-$1,161 (roughly $2.16-$2.67 per mile over 438 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $441-$772 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 Stockton?
Standard FTL transit from Long Beach to Stockton is approximately 8 hrs by truck over 438 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 Stockton 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. Stockton commonly receives consumer goods, building materials, fertilizers & agricultural chemicals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Stockton to Long Beach?
Moderate backhaul (scored 67/100 based on Stockton's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Stockton to Long Beach requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Stockton's top outbound commodities — almonds & walnuts, fresh produce (asparagus, cherries), canned goods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Long Beach to Stockton?
The Long Beach-to-Stockton corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Long Beach's top outbound commodities include transloaded imports, petroleum products, recycled materials, aerospace components, machinery, cotton exports. Stockton's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, building materials, fertilizers & agricultural chemicals, packaging materials, fuel products, imported goods (via port). Industries driving this lane include port operations and oil & petrochemicals from Long Beach and agriculture and port logistics in Stockton.
When are rates highest on the Long Beach to Stockton 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.
Get Exact Rates for Long Beach to Stockton
We maintain working relationships with 158+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Long Beach–Stockton 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