Freight Shipping from Mobile to Long Beach
Ship freight from Mobile, AL to Long Beach, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,945-$6,095, LTL from $1,465-$2,355. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,300 mi
Drive Time
42 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,945-$6,095
LTL Rate Est.
$1,465-$2,355
Energy & Chemicals Route
Mobile → Long Beach Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
83–98
running this lane
Weekly Loads
40–61
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
85/100
Excellent
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$24–$40 one-way passing through AL, CA, 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.
Mobile to Long Beach Freight Corridor
Mobile is the Gulf Coast's overlooked freight powerhouse. The Port of Mobile handles 60+ million tons annually and the Airbus A320 final assembly line creates a unique mix of containerized imports, oversize aerospace cargo, and bulk commodities. The AM/NS Calvert steel mill (a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel) is one of the most advanced in North America, generating heavy flatbed volume on I-65 northbound.
The Port of Long Beach, paired with the adjacent Port of Los Angeles, forms the San Pedro Bay complex that handles nearly half of all US maritime imports. Long Beach itself has invested billions in on-dock rail infrastructure, allowing containers to move directly from ship to train without a truck dray, though the majority still leave by truck on the notoriously congested I-710. The city's zero-emission truck mandates are reshaping drayage economics as carriers invest in electric and hydrogen-powered equipment.
The Mobile-to-Long Beach corridor spans 2,300 miles via I-10, I-65, I-710, I-405. This lane connects shipbuilding and petrochemicals freight from the Mobile market to port operations and oil & petrochemicals demand in Long Beach. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Mobile
Mobile's economy is driven by shipbuilding, petrochemicals, aerospace assembly, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
lumber & timber
petrochemicals
aircraft assemblies
coal exports
paper products
seafood
What Long Beach Receives
Long Beach's port operations, oil & petrochemicals, aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Mobile.
containerized consumer goods
electronics
furniture
auto parts
textiles
toys & housewares
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Mobile and Long Beach, 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.
$4,945-$6,095 estimated for this lane
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Required for temperature-sensitive freight including fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Maintains precise temperature control throughout transit.
$6,095-$7,705 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.
$6,555-$8,395 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$7,245-$9,775 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Mobile to Long Beach lane (2,300 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,945-$6,095 | 42 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,465-$2,355 | 44-46 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $7,475-$10,350 | 28 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $3,105-$4,255 | 45-47 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Mobile and Long Beach that drive volume on this lane.
Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility
Austal USA
AM/NS Calvert Steel
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
Shipping Tips for Mobile to Long Beach
Mobile Seasonal Advisory
Hurricane season (June-November) can shut down port operations for days, creating massive post-storm freight surges. Shrimp season drives reefer demand from May through October.
Long Beach Seasonal Advisory
Peak import season runs August through November for holiday retail. The "blank sailing" period during Chinese New Year (January-February) creates a 3-4 week dip before the spring restocking wave.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,300 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 Mobile and Long Beach — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Mobile, AL
- Metro Population
- 430K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-10, I-65, US-98
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Mobile Terminal; APM Terminals Mobile
- Port Access
- Port of Mobile (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Theodore Industrial Canal, Brookley Aeroplex
“The I-10/I-65 interchange south of Mobile is one of the most capacity-constrained freight corridors on the Gulf Coast. Carriers staging at the port often wait 4-6 hours for container pickup, so smart brokers build dwell time into their rate calculations.”
Destination
Long Beach, CA
- Metro Population
- 475K city
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.40-$2.80/mi
- Key Highways
- I-710, I-405, SR-47
- Rail / Intermodal
- Pier B On-Dock Rail (UP/BNSF); ITS Terminal; TTI Terminal
- Port Access
- Port of Long Beach (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- North Long Beach, Carson/Dominguez, Signal Hill
“Long Beach's Clean Truck Program now requires all drayage trucks entering the port to meet 2010 or newer emission standards. The upcoming zero-emission mandate is already driving smaller drayage operators out of the market, concentrating volume with larger, better-capitalized fleets.”
Return Loads from Long Beach
Long Beach is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Mobile typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Long Beach
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
Mobile to Long Beach Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Mobile to Long Beach?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Mobile, AL to Long Beach, CA currently range $4,945-$6,095 (roughly $2.17-$2.66 per mile over 2,300 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,465-$2,355 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 Mobile to Long Beach?
Standard FTL transit from Mobile to Long Beach is approximately 42 hrs by truck over 2,300 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 CSX Mobile Terminal to Pier B On-Dock Rail (UP/BNSF) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Mobile to Long Beach freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Mobile commonly ships lumber & timber, petrochemicals, aircraft assemblies, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Long Beach commonly receives containerized consumer goods, electronics, furniture. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Long Beach to Mobile?
Excellent backhaul (scored 85/100 based on Long Beach's outbound commodity mix). Long Beach is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Mobile typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate. Long Beach's top outbound commodities — transloaded imports, petroleum products, recycled materials — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Mobile to Long Beach?
The Mobile-to-Long Beach corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Energy & Chemicals Route. Mobile's top outbound commodities include lumber & timber, petrochemicals, aircraft assemblies, coal exports, paper products, seafood. Long Beach's primary inbound freight includes containerized consumer goods, electronics, furniture, auto parts, textiles, toys & housewares. Industries driving this lane include shipbuilding and petrochemicals from Mobile and port operations and oil & petrochemicals in Long Beach.
When are rates highest on the Mobile to Long Beach lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to shipbuilding and petrochemicals 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 Mobile to Long Beach lane?
At 2,300 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 Mobile to Long Beach
We maintain working relationships with 83+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Mobile–Long Beach 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