Freight Shipping from Los Angeles to Little Rock
Ship freight from Los Angeles, CA to Little Rock, AR with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,132-$5,093, LTL from $1,257-$2,034. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,922 mi
Drive Time
35 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,132-$5,093
LTL Rate Est.
$1,257-$2,034
Los Angeles to Little Rock 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.
Little Rock benefits from its central US location at the junction of I-40 and I-30, putting it within a day's drive of Dallas, Memphis, Kansas City, and St. Louis. The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System connects the metro to inland barge traffic, creating intermodal opportunities for bulk shippers. The North Little Rock rail yards are among the busiest in the mid-South, with UP and BNSF both running major classification operations.
The Los Angeles-to-Little Rock corridor spans 1,922 miles via I-5, I-10, I-40, I-30. This lane connects entertainment & media and international trade freight from the Los Angeles market to food processing and steel manufacturing demand in Little Rock. 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 Little Rock Receives
Little Rock's food processing, steel manufacturing, defense sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Los Angeles.
raw steel
consumer goods
agricultural chemicals
petroleum products
packaging materials
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Los Angeles and Little Rock, 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.
$4,132-$5,093 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.
$5,478-$7,015 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$6,054-$8,169 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.
$1,257-$2,034 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Los Angeles to Little Rock lane (1,922 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,132-$5,093 | 35 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,257-$2,034 | 37-39 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $6,247-$8,649 | 23 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,595-$3,556 | 38-40 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Los Angeles and Little Rock that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (15+ facilities)
Target (import DC)
Nike Distribution
Dillard's (HQ)
Welspun Tubular
L'Oreal Manufacturing
Shipping Tips for Los Angeles to Little Rock
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.
Little Rock Seasonal Advisory
Rice harvest (August-October) drives bulk and hopper trailer demand. Post-Thanksgiving through Christmas, Dillard's distribution network creates retail surge freight on lanes to the Southeast and Midwest.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,922 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 35 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.
Los Angeles to Little Rock Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Los Angeles to Little Rock?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Los Angeles, CA to Little Rock, AR currently range from $4,132-$5,093 for a standard dry van load over the 1,922-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $1,257-$2,034 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 Los Angeles to Little Rock?
Standard FTL transit from Los Angeles to Little Rock is approximately 35 hrs by truck over 1,922 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 Los Angeles to Little Rock 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. Little Rock commonly receives raw steel, consumer goods, agricultural chemicals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Little Rock to Los Angeles?
Yes. Little Rock is a strong outbound market shipping processed poultry, steel products, rice & grains. Carriers returning from Little Rock to Los Angeles can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Los Angeles-to-Little Rock lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Los Angeles to Little Rock?
The Los Angeles-to-Little Rock corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Los Angeles's top outbound commodities include containerized imports (re-distribution), entertainment equipment, apparel & fashion, aerospace components, processed foods, electronics. Little Rock's primary inbound freight includes raw steel, consumer goods, agricultural chemicals, petroleum products, packaging materials, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include entertainment & media and international trade from Los Angeles and food processing and steel manufacturing in Little Rock.
Get Exact Rates for Los Angeles to Little Rock
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