Freight Shipping from Modesto to Los Angeles
Ship freight from Modesto, CA to Los Angeles, 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
Fresh Food Lane
Modesto → Los Angeles Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
163–179
running this lane
Weekly Loads
82–101
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
64/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$6–$11 one-way passing through CA. 1 typical fuel stop 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 Los Angeles 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.
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.
The Modesto-to-Los Angeles corridor spans 387 miles via SR-99, SR-132, I-5, I-10. This lane connects agriculture & food processing and wine production freight from the Modesto market to entertainment & media and international trade demand in Los Angeles. 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 Los Angeles Receives
Los Angeles's entertainment & media, international trade, aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Modesto.
consumer electronics
furniture & housewares
automotive parts
textiles & fabrics
industrial machinery
toys & games
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Modesto and Los Angeles, 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
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Required for temperature-sensitive freight including fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Maintains precise temperature control throughout transit.
$1,026-$1,296 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.
$1,103-$1,413 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 Modesto to Los Angeles 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 Modesto and Los Angeles that drive volume on this lane.
E. & J. Gallo Winery (HQ)
Foster Farms (HQ, Livingston)
Del Monte Foods
Amazon (15+ facilities)
Target (import DC)
Nike Distribution
Shipping Tips for Modesto to Los Angeles
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.
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.
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 Modesto and Los Angeles — 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
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.”
Return Loads from Los Angeles
Backhaul from Los Angeles to Modesto requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Los Angeles
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
Modesto to Los Angeles Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Modesto to Los Angeles?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Modesto, CA to Los Angeles, 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 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 Los Angeles?
Standard FTL transit from Modesto to Los Angeles 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 Modesto to Los Angeles freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Modesto commonly ships almonds & walnuts, wine & spirits, dairy products, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Los Angeles commonly receives consumer electronics, furniture & housewares, automotive parts. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Los Angeles to Modesto?
Moderate backhaul (scored 64/100 based on Los Angeles's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Los Angeles to Modesto requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Los Angeles's top outbound commodities — containerized imports (re-distribution), entertainment equipment, apparel & fashion — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Modesto to Los Angeles?
The Modesto-to-Los Angeles corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. Modesto's top outbound commodities include almonds & walnuts, wine & spirits, dairy products, canned fruit & vegetables, poultry products, processed tomatoes. Los Angeles's primary inbound freight includes consumer electronics, furniture & housewares, automotive parts, textiles & fabrics, industrial machinery, toys & games. Industries driving this lane include agriculture & food processing and wine production from Modesto and entertainment & media and international trade in Los Angeles.
When are rates highest on the Modesto to Los Angeles 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). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Mon, Tue, Wed) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Can freight from Modesto to Los Angeles be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 387 miles (7 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Modesto-to-Los Angeles 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 Modesto to Los Angeles
We maintain working relationships with 163+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Modesto–Los Angeles 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