Freight Shipping from Los Angeles to Nashville
Ship freight from Los Angeles, CA to Nashville, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,973-$6,129, LTL from $1,472-$2,366. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,313 mi
Drive Time
42 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,973-$6,129
LTL Rate Est.
$1,472-$2,366
Auto Manufacturing Corridor
Los Angeles → Nashville Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
93–114
running this lane
Weekly Loads
226–243
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
79/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$24–$40 one-way passing through CA, TN, MO, AR, OK, NM. 6 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 Nashville 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.
Nashville has emerged as one of America's fastest-growing freight markets, fueled by explosive population growth and a diversified economy anchored by healthcare and automotive. Nissan's Smyrna assembly plant — the most productive auto plant in North America — builds 640,000+ vehicles annually, while HCA Healthcare's headquarters drives medical supply distribution across 180+ hospitals. The I-40/I-65/I-24 triple junction gives Nashville reach to virtually every major market east of the Rockies.
The Los Angeles-to-Nashville corridor spans 2,313 miles via I-5, I-10, I-40, I-65. This lane connects entertainment & media and international trade freight from the Los Angeles market to healthcare and music & entertainment demand in Nashville. 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 Nashville Receives
Nashville's healthcare, music & entertainment, automotive manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Los Angeles.
automotive components
consumer electronics
construction materials
food products
retail merchandise
medical supplies
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Los Angeles and Nashville, 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.
$4,973-$6,129 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.
$6,592-$8,442 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.
$1,472-$2,366 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Los Angeles to Nashville lane (2,313 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,973-$6,129 | 42 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,472-$2,366 | 44-46 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $7,517-$10,409 | 28 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $3,123-$4,279 | 45-47 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Los Angeles and Nashville that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (15+ facilities)
Target (import DC)
Nike Distribution
Nissan North America (HQ & Smyrna Plant)
HCA Healthcare (HQ)
Bridgestone Americas (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Los Angeles to Nashville
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.
Nashville Seasonal Advisory
Nissan production runs year-round with brief shutdowns in July and December. Healthcare supply distribution peaks during flu season (October-March). The massive construction boom for Nashville's growth creates steady building material demand March through November.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,313 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 42 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 Nashville — 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
Nashville, TN
- Metro Population
- 2.0M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-40, I-65, I-24
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Nashville Intermodal; Radnor Yard (Nashville's primary rail facility)
- Warehouse Districts
- La Vergne/I-24 Southeast, Lebanon/I-40 East, Smyrna/I-24 Nissan Corridor
“Nashville's population boom (adding 80+ people per day) has created a permanent imbalance — inbound freight exceeds outbound, meaning carriers delivering to Nashville often face deadhead miles finding loads out. Savvy dispatchers book outbound loads in advance, particularly automotive parts heading to Midwest assembly plants.”
Return Loads from Nashville
Nashville 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 Nashville
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Los Angeles to Nashville Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Los Angeles to Nashville?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Los Angeles, CA to Nashville, TN currently range $4,973-$6,129 (roughly $2.18-$2.66 per mile over 2,313 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,472-$2,366 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 Nashville?
Standard FTL transit from Los Angeles to Nashville is approximately 42 hrs by truck over 2,313 miles, with 6 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 CSX Nashville Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Los Angeles to Nashville 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. Nashville commonly receives automotive components, consumer electronics, construction materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Nashville to Los Angeles?
Strong backhaul (scored 79/100 based on Nashville's outbound commodity mix). Nashville generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Los Angeles is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Nashville's top outbound commodities — healthcare products, automotive parts (Nissan), consumer goods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Los Angeles to Nashville?
The Los Angeles-to-Nashville corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Auto Manufacturing Corridor. Los Angeles's top outbound commodities include containerized imports (re-distribution), entertainment equipment, apparel & fashion, aerospace components, processed foods, electronics. Nashville's primary inbound freight includes automotive components, consumer electronics, construction materials, food products, retail merchandise, medical supplies. Industries driving this lane include entertainment & media and international trade from Los Angeles and healthcare and music & entertainment in Nashville.
When are rates highest on the Los Angeles to Nashville 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); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); 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 Nashville lane?
At 2,313 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 25-30 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 Nashville
We maintain working relationships with 93+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Los Angeles–Nashville 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