Freight Shipping from Modesto to Cleveland
Ship freight from Modesto, CA to Cleveland, OH with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $5,848-$7,208, LTL from $1,696-$2,712. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,720 mi
Drive Time
49 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$5,848-$7,208
LTL Rate Est.
$1,696-$2,712
Industrial Freight Lane
Modesto → Cleveland Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
72–94
running this lane
Weekly Loads
87–107
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
84/100
Excellent
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$59–$98 one-way passing through CA, OH, KY, VA, IN, IL, MO. 7 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Mon, Tue, Wed. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Modesto to Cleveland Freight Corridor
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.
Cleveland remains the industrial heart of the Great Lakes manufacturing belt, anchored by Sherwin-Williams' new global headquarters and Cleveland-Cliffs' integrated steel operations. The Port of Cleveland connects to global markets via the St. Lawrence Seaway, handling iron ore, steel, and heavy-lift project cargo. The I-90/I-77 junction gives carriers efficient access to the entire Midwest and Northeast.
The Modesto-to-Cleveland corridor spans 2,720 miles via SR-99, SR-132, I-90, I-77. This lane connects agriculture & food processing and wine production freight from the Modesto market to steel & metals and automotive parts demand in Cleveland. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Modesto
Modesto's economy is driven by agriculture & food processing, wine production, dairy, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
almonds & walnuts
wine & spirits
dairy products
canned fruit & vegetables
poultry products
processed tomatoes
What Cleveland Receives
Cleveland's steel & metals, automotive parts, healthcare & biomedical sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Modesto.
iron ore (Great Lakes)
raw steel
automotive components
crude chemicals
consumer goods
energy products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Modesto and Cleveland, 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.
$5,848-$7,208 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.
$7,208-$9,112 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.
$7,752-$9,928 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$8,568-$11,560 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Modesto to Cleveland lane (2,720 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $5,848-$7,208 | 49 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,696-$2,712 | 51-53 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $8,840-$12,240 | 33 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $3,672-$5,032 | 52-54 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Modesto and Cleveland that drive volume on this lane.
E. & J. Gallo Winery (HQ)
Foster Farms (HQ, Livingston)
Del Monte Foods
Sherwin-Williams (HQ)
Cleveland-Cliffs (HQ)
Lincoln Electric
Shipping Tips for Modesto to Cleveland
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.
Cleveland Seasonal Advisory
Steel production runs year-round but construction season (April-October) drives the strongest demand for outbound coil and plate loads. Great Lakes shipping season (April-January) determines iron ore import volumes at the port.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,720 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 49 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 Modesto and Cleveland — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
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.”
Destination
Cleveland, OH
- Metro Population
- 2.1M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-90, I-77, I-480
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Cleveland Intermodal; CSX Collinwood Yard
- Port Access
- Port of Cleveland (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Seaway, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Solon/I-480 East, Brook Park/I-71 South, Twinsburg/I-480 Corridor
“Cleveland's steel and metals market creates natural synergies between flatbed and van freight. Carriers who deliver raw steel coils to stamping plants can often backhaul finished automotive parts to assembly plants in Detroit, Toledo, or Ontario — a loop that keeps utilization above 90%.”
Return Loads from Cleveland
Cleveland is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Modesto typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Cleveland
Seasonal Rate Patterns
May-Aug (produce season)
+12-18% on reefer capacity
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
Modesto to Cleveland Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Modesto to Cleveland?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Modesto, CA to Cleveland, OH currently range $5,848-$7,208 (roughly $2.17-$2.67 per mile over 2,720 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,696-$2,712 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 Modesto to Cleveland?
Standard FTL transit from Modesto to Cleveland is approximately 49 hrs by truck over 2,720 miles, with 7 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 Modesto Yard to Norfolk Southern Cleveland Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Modesto to Cleveland freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Modesto commonly ships almonds & walnuts, wine & spirits, dairy products, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Cleveland commonly receives iron ore (Great Lakes), raw steel, automotive components. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Cleveland to Modesto?
Excellent backhaul (scored 84/100 based on Cleveland's outbound commodity mix). Cleveland is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Modesto typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate. Cleveland's top outbound commodities — steel products, automotive stampings, industrial chemicals — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Modesto to Cleveland?
The Modesto-to-Cleveland corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. Modesto's top outbound commodities include almonds & walnuts, wine & spirits, dairy products, canned fruit & vegetables, poultry products, processed tomatoes. Cleveland's primary inbound freight includes iron ore (Great Lakes), raw steel, automotive components, crude chemicals, consumer goods, energy products. Industries driving this lane include agriculture & food processing and wine production from Modesto and steel & metals and automotive parts in Cleveland.
What tolls should I expect on the Modesto to Cleveland route?
Expect roughly $59-$98 in tolls round-trip passing through CA, OH, KY, VA, IN, IL, MO. Most rate quotes either include tolls in the line-haul or bill them as a separate pass-through — ask your dispatcher to confirm which model applies to your lane.
When are rates highest on the Modesto to Cleveland lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to agriculture & food processing and wine production cycles. Key periods: May-Aug (produce season) (+12-18% on reefer capacity); 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 (Mon, Tue, Wed) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Should I use team drivers for the Modesto to Cleveland lane?
At 2,720 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 29-35 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 Modesto to Cleveland
We maintain working relationships with 72+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Modesto–Cleveland corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
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