Freight Shipping from Los Angeles to Sacramento
Ship freight from Los Angeles, CA to Sacramento, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,028-$1,267, LTL from $463-$806. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
478 mi
Drive Time
9 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,028-$1,267
LTL Rate Est.
$463-$806
Port Drayage Corridor
Los Angeles → Sacramento Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
166–182
running this lane
Weekly Loads
194–206
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.66
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
$8–$13 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 Sacramento 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.
Sacramento is the gateway between California's Central Valley agricultural empire and the rest of the nation. The UP Roseville Yard, the largest railroad classification yard on the West Coast, processes thousands of railcars daily and makes Sacramento a critical intermodal node. The city's position at the junction of I-5 and I-80 means freight naturally flows through here whether it's heading to the Bay Area, Reno, or Portland.
The Los Angeles-to-Sacramento corridor spans 478 miles via I-5. This lane connects entertainment & media and international trade freight from the Los Angeles market to government and agriculture & food processing demand in Sacramento. 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 Sacramento Receives
Sacramento's government, agriculture & food processing, healthcare sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Los Angeles.
consumer goods
construction materials
retail merchandise
government supplies
agricultural chemicals
packaging materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Los Angeles and Sacramento, 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.
$1,028-$1,267 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.
$1,362-$1,745 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,506-$2,032 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.
$463-$806 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Los Angeles to Sacramento lane (478 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,028-$1,267 | 9 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $463-$806 | 11-13 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,554-$2,151 | 6 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Los Angeles and Sacramento that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (15+ facilities)
Target (import DC)
Nike Distribution
Blue Diamond Growers
Campbell Soup (Sacramento plant)
Amazon (3 facilities)
Shipping Tips for Los Angeles to Sacramento
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.
Sacramento Seasonal Advisory
Almond harvest (August-October) is the single biggest freight event, generating tens of thousands of loads. Tomato processing (July-September) and rice harvest (September-November) overlap to create the busiest reefer market in the state.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 478 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 Sacramento — 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
Sacramento, CA
- Metro Population
- 2.4M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.20-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-5, I-80, US-50
- Rail / Intermodal
- UP Roseville Yard (largest on West Coast); BNSF Stockton Intermodal
- Port Access
- Port of West Sacramento (deepwater port, 5 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- West Sacramento/Port area, Rancho Cordova/Sunrise Corridor, North Natomas
“California's Central Valley produces 25% of the nation's food, and Sacramento is where much of it gets consolidated for cross-country shipment. Reefer carriers who build relationships with Valley ag shippers can stay loaded year-round without ever leaving a 100-mile radius.”
Return Loads from Sacramento
Backhaul from Sacramento to Los Angeles requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Sacramento
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 Sacramento Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Los Angeles to Sacramento?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Los Angeles, CA to Sacramento, CA currently range $1,028-$1,267 (roughly $2.18-$2.66 per mile over 478 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $463-$806 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 Sacramento?
Standard FTL transit from Los Angeles to Sacramento is approximately 9 hrs by truck over 478 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 Sacramento 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. Sacramento commonly receives consumer goods, construction materials, retail merchandise. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Sacramento to Los Angeles?
Moderate backhaul (scored 56/100 based on Sacramento's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Sacramento to Los Angeles requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Sacramento's top outbound commodities — almonds & tree nuts, rice, processed tomatoes — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Los Angeles to Sacramento?
The Los Angeles-to-Sacramento corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Los Angeles's top outbound commodities include containerized imports (re-distribution), entertainment equipment, apparel & fashion, aerospace components, processed foods, electronics. Sacramento's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, construction materials, retail merchandise, government supplies, agricultural chemicals, packaging materials. Industries driving this lane include entertainment & media and international trade from Los Angeles and government and agriculture & food processing in Sacramento.
When are rates highest on the Los Angeles to Sacramento 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.
Get Exact Rates for Los Angeles to Sacramento
We maintain working relationships with 166+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Los Angeles–Sacramento 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