Freight Shipping from Los Angeles to Fresno
Ship freight from Los Angeles, CA to Fresno, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $591-$729, LTL from $351-$634. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
275 mi
Drive Time
5 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$591-$729
LTL Rate Est.
$351-$634
Fresh Food Lane
Los Angeles → Fresno Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
152–174
running this lane
Weekly Loads
190–207
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.65
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
$5–$8 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.
Los Angeles to Fresno 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.
Fresno County is the single most productive agricultural county in the United States, and the city sits at the epicenter of a reefer freight machine that feeds the nation. Every major agricultural commodity — from grapes and citrus to dairy and nuts — ships from cold storage facilities clustered along SR-99. The BNSF intermodal facility connects Valley produce to transcontinental rail networks, but the vast majority moves by truck on the two-lane highways that crisscross the Valley floor.
The Los Angeles-to-Fresno corridor spans 275 miles via I-5, I-10, SR-99, SR-41. This lane connects entertainment & media and international trade freight from the Los Angeles market to agriculture and food processing demand in Fresno. 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 Fresno Receives
Fresno's agriculture, food processing, wine production sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Los Angeles.
agricultural chemicals
packaging materials
farm equipment
fuel & diesel
fertilizers
irrigation equipment
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Los Angeles and Fresno, 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.
$591-$729 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$866-$1,169 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.
$351-$634 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Los Angeles to Fresno lane (275 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $591-$729 | 5 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $351-$634 | 7-9 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $894-$1,238 | 3 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Los Angeles and Fresno that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (15+ facilities)
Target (import DC)
Nike Distribution
Sun-Maid Growers
Producers Dairy
Zacky Farms
Shipping Tips for Los Angeles to Fresno
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.
Fresno Seasonal Advisory
Grape harvest (August-October) is the largest single event. Citrus runs November through April. There is no true "slow season" in Fresno if you haul reefer — something is always being harvested or processed.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 275 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 Los Angeles and Fresno — 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
Fresno, CA
- Metro Population
- 1.0M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- SR-99, SR-41, SR-180
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Fresno Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- South Fresno/SR-99 Corridor, Fresno Yosemite International Airport area
“Fresno's reefer market operates on agricultural cycles, not retail cycles. Carriers who understand the planting-to-harvest calendar for each commodity can position trucks weeks ahead of demand spikes and negotiate rates 15-20% above spot.”
Return Loads from Fresno
Backhaul from Fresno to Los Angeles requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Fresno
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Los Angeles to Fresno Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Los Angeles to Fresno?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Los Angeles, CA to Fresno, CA currently range $591-$729 (roughly $2.17-$2.65 per mile over 275 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $351-$634 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 Los Angeles to Fresno?
Standard FTL transit from Los Angeles to Fresno is approximately 5 hrs by truck over 275 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 Los Angeles to Fresno 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. Fresno commonly receives agricultural chemicals, packaging materials, farm equipment. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Fresno to Los Angeles?
Moderate backhaul (scored 56/100 based on Fresno's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Fresno to Los Angeles requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Fresno's top outbound commodities — grapes & raisins, citrus fruits, tomatoes — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Los Angeles to Fresno?
The Los Angeles-to-Fresno corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. Los Angeles's top outbound commodities include containerized imports (re-distribution), entertainment equipment, apparel & fashion, aerospace components, processed foods, electronics. Fresno's primary inbound freight includes agricultural chemicals, packaging materials, farm equipment, fuel & diesel, fertilizers, irrigation equipment. Industries driving this lane include entertainment & media and international trade from Los Angeles and agriculture and food processing in Fresno.
When are rates highest on the Los Angeles to Fresno 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). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Can freight from Los Angeles to Fresno be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 275 miles (5 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Los Angeles-to-Fresno 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 4 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Los Angeles to Fresno
We maintain working relationships with 152+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Los Angeles–Fresno 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