Freight Shipping from Los Angeles to Fort Worth
Ship freight from Los Angeles, CA to Fort Worth, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $3,378-$4,163, LTL from $1,064-$1,735. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,571 mi
Drive Time
29 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$3,378-$4,163
LTL Rate Est.
$1,064-$1,735
Industrial Freight Lane
Los Angeles → Fort Worth Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
118–133
running this lane
Weekly Loads
232–244
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
75/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$19–$31 one-way passing through CA, TX, OK, NM. 4 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.
Los Angeles to Fort Worth Freight Corridor
The Los Angeles basin is the undisputed freight capital of the Western Hemisphere. The San Pedro Bay port complex (LA + Long Beach) handles 40% of all US containerized imports, generating a tidal wave of drayage and long-haul freight that radiates outward on I-10, I-15, and I-5. The Inland Empire east of LA has become the largest warehouse market in the world, with over 600 million square feet of distribution space absorbing and redistributing Asian imports to every corner of the country.
Fort Worth is the aerospace and rail logistics capital of Texas. Lockheed Martin's mile-long factory produces every F-35 Lightning II fighter jet sold worldwide, generating classified, oversize, and high-security freight that requires specialized carriers. BNSF Railway's headquarters and Alliance Texas — the nation's largest inland port — create one of the most sophisticated intermodal logistics ecosystems in North America. Bell Textron builds V-22 Ospreys and commercial helicopters, adding to the aerospace freight base.
The Los Angeles-to-Fort Worth corridor spans 1,571 miles via I-5, I-10, I-35W, I-30. This lane connects entertainment & media and international trade freight from the Los Angeles market to aerospace & defense and rail logistics demand in Fort Worth. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Los Angeles
Los Angeles's economy is driven by entertainment & media, international trade, aerospace, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
containerized imports (re-distribution)
entertainment equipment
apparel & fashion
aerospace components
processed foods
electronics
What Fort Worth Receives
Fort Worth's aerospace & defense, rail logistics, ranching & agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Los Angeles.
aerospace sub-assemblies
raw metals
containerized imports (via Alliance)
consumer goods
building materials
fuel
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Los Angeles and Fort Worth, 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.
$3,378-$4,163 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.
$4,477-$5,734 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.
$1,064-$1,735 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Los Angeles to Fort Worth lane (1,571 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $3,378-$4,163 | 29 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,064-$1,735 | 31-33 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $5,106-$7,070 | 19 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,121-$2,906 | 32-34 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Los Angeles and Fort Worth that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (15+ facilities)
Target (import DC)
Nike Distribution
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (F-35)
Bell Textron (HQ)
BNSF Railway (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Los Angeles to Fort Worth
Los Angeles Seasonal Advisory
Import surge begins in August for holiday retail season, peaking in October-November. Chinese New Year (January-February) creates a brief lull followed by a restocking wave in March.
Fort Worth Seasonal Advisory
Defense freight follows federal fiscal year-end spending (September rush). BNSF intermodal volumes peak during Q4 import season. Livestock and agricultural freight from the Fort Worth Stockyards region is strongest March through October.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,571 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 29 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 Los Angeles and Fort Worth — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Los Angeles, CA
- Metro Population
- 13.2M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.45-$2.85/mi
- Key Highways
- I-5, I-10, I-710
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Hobart Yard (Commerce); UP ICTF (Wilmington); UP East LA Intermodal
- Port Access
- Port of Los Angeles (20 mi) / Port of Long Beach (22 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Inland Empire (Ontario/Riverside), Commerce/Vernon, Carson/Compton
“The I-710 corridor from the ports to the intermodal yards in Commerce is the most heavily trucked stretch of highway in America. Container drayage rates fluctuate wildly based on port congestion — chassis availability can add $100-200 per container in detention charges during peak seasons.”
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
- Metro Population
- 7.6M metro (DFW)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-35W, I-30, I-20
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Alliance Intermodal Facility; Alliance Texas Logistics Hub
- Warehouse Districts
- AllianceTexas/I-35W North, South Fort Worth/I-20 Corridor, Haslet/Alliance Gateway
“AllianceTexas is not just an intermodal facility — it's a 27,000-acre master-planned logistics campus with its own airport, rail yard, and 50+ million square feet of warehouse space. Carriers who operate within the Alliance ecosystem can string together multiple loads without leaving the campus.”
Return Loads from Fort Worth
Fort Worth generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Los Angeles is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Fort Worth
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Los Angeles to Fort Worth Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Los Angeles to Fort Worth?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Los Angeles, CA to Fort Worth, TX currently range $3,378-$4,163 (roughly $2.16-$2.65 per mile over 1,571 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,064-$1,735 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 Los Angeles to Fort Worth?
Standard FTL transit from Los Angeles to Fort Worth is approximately 29 hrs by truck over 1,571 miles, with 4 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 BNSF Hobart Yard (Commerce) to BNSF Alliance Intermodal Facility takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Los Angeles to Fort Worth freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Los Angeles commonly ships containerized imports (re-distribution), entertainment equipment, apparel & fashion, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Fort Worth commonly receives aerospace sub-assemblies, raw metals, containerized imports (via Alliance). Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Fort Worth to Los Angeles?
Strong backhaul (scored 75/100 based on Fort Worth's outbound commodity mix). Fort Worth generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Los Angeles is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Fort Worth's top outbound commodities — F-35 fighter jet components, Bell helicopters, grain & cattle — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Los Angeles to Fort Worth?
The Los Angeles-to-Fort Worth corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. Los Angeles's top outbound commodities include containerized imports (re-distribution), entertainment equipment, apparel & fashion, aerospace components, processed foods, electronics. Fort Worth's primary inbound freight includes aerospace sub-assemblies, raw metals, containerized imports (via Alliance), consumer goods, building materials, fuel. Industries driving this lane include entertainment & media and international trade from Los Angeles and aerospace & defense and rail logistics in Fort Worth.
When are rates highest on the Los Angeles to Fort Worth lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to entertainment & media and international trade 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 Los Angeles to Fort Worth lane?
At 1,571 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 17-20 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 Los Angeles to Fort Worth
We maintain working relationships with 118+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Los Angeles–Fort Worth 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