Freight Shipping from Los Angeles to Modesto
Ship freight from Los Angeles, CA to Modesto, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $832-$1,026, LTL from $413-$729. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
387 mi
Drive Time
7 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$832-$1,026
LTL Rate Est.
$413-$729
Consumer Goods Corridor
Los Angeles → Modesto Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
161–178
running this lane
Weekly Loads
85–105
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
60/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$6–$11 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 Modesto 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.
Modesto is the food and wine capital of the northern San Joaquin Valley. E. & J. Gallo Winery, the largest wine company in the world, is headquartered here and operates massive bottling, warehousing, and distribution operations that generate a continuous stream of temperature-controlled freight. Foster Farms' poultry processing headquarters in nearby Livingston creates daily reefer loads heading to grocery distribution centers across the West Coast. The surrounding farmland produces almonds, walnuts, and stone fruit that flow through Modesto's cold storage and processing facilities.
The Los Angeles-to-Modesto corridor spans 387 miles via I-5, I-10, SR-99, SR-132. This lane connects entertainment & media and international trade freight from the Los Angeles market to agriculture & food processing and wine production demand in Modesto. 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 Modesto Receives
Modesto's agriculture & food processing, wine production, dairy sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Los Angeles.
packaging materials
agricultural chemicals
consumer goods
fuel products
glass bottles (for wine)
food ingredients
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Los Angeles and Modesto, 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.
$832-$1,026 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,219-$1,645 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.
$413-$729 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Los Angeles to Modesto lane (387 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $832-$1,026 | 7 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $413-$729 | 9-11 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,258-$1,742 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Los Angeles and Modesto that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (15+ facilities)
Target (import DC)
Nike Distribution
E. & J. Gallo Winery (HQ)
Foster Farms (HQ, Livingston)
Del Monte Foods
Shipping Tips for Los Angeles to Modesto
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.
Modesto Seasonal Advisory
Almond and walnut harvest (August-November) creates massive outbound freight demand. Wine bottling and shipments peak ahead of holiday seasons. Poultry processing runs year-round with modest Thanksgiving and Christmas surges. Stone fruit season (May-September) adds reefer demand.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 387 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 Modesto — 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
Modesto, CA
- Metro Population
- 550K metro (Stanislaus County)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- SR-99, SR-132, SR-108
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Modesto Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- South Modesto/SR-99, Turlock/SR-99 South, Salida/SR-99 North
“Gallo Winery's distribution network is one of the most efficient in the beverage industry — carriers who earn preferred status access dedicated lanes with premium rates and predictable volumes. The key is meeting Gallo's strict on-time delivery requirements and temperature control standards for wine shipments.”
Return Loads from Modesto
Backhaul from Modesto to Los Angeles requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Modesto
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Los Angeles to Modesto Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Los Angeles to Modesto?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Los Angeles, CA to Modesto, CA currently range $832-$1,026 (roughly $2.15-$2.67 per mile over 387 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $413-$729 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 Modesto?
Standard FTL transit from Los Angeles to Modesto is approximately 7 hrs by truck over 387 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 Modesto 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. Modesto commonly receives packaging materials, agricultural chemicals, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Modesto to Los Angeles?
Moderate backhaul (scored 60/100 based on Modesto's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Modesto to Los Angeles requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Modesto's top outbound commodities — almonds & walnuts, wine & spirits, dairy products — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Los Angeles to Modesto?
The Los Angeles-to-Modesto corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Los Angeles's top outbound commodities include containerized imports (re-distribution), entertainment equipment, apparel & fashion, aerospace components, processed foods, electronics. Modesto's primary inbound freight includes packaging materials, agricultural chemicals, consumer goods, fuel products, glass bottles (for wine), food ingredients. Industries driving this lane include entertainment & media and international trade from Los Angeles and agriculture & food processing and wine production in Modesto.
When are rates highest on the Los Angeles to Modesto 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 Modesto be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 387 miles (7 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Los Angeles-to-Modesto 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 6 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Los Angeles to Modesto
We maintain working relationships with 161+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Los Angeles–Modesto 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