Freight Shipping from Modesto to Milwaukee
Ship freight from Modesto, CA to Milwaukee, WI with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,947-$6,098, LTL from $1,466-$2,356. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,301 mi
Drive Time
42 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,947-$6,098
LTL Rate Est.
$1,466-$2,356
Modesto to Milwaukee 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.
Milwaukee is a manufacturing powerhouse that punches well above its population weight in freight generation. Rockwell Automation, Harley-Davidson, GE Healthcare, and Briggs & Stratton all maintain major operations here, creating a diverse mix of industrial freight that includes everything from motorcycles to MRI machines. The city's position on I-94 between Chicago and Minneapolis places it on one of the Midwest's highest-volume freight corridors, while the Port of Milwaukee provides Great Lakes shipping access for bulk commodities.
The Modesto-to-Milwaukee corridor spans 2,301 miles via SR-99, SR-132, I-94, I-43. This lane connects agriculture & food processing and wine production freight from the Modesto market to manufacturing (engines, controls) and brewing & food processing demand in Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee Receives
Milwaukee's manufacturing (engines, controls), brewing & food processing, healthcare sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Modesto.
raw metals & steel
agricultural products
consumer goods
electronic components
packaging materials
petroleum products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Modesto and Milwaukee, 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.
$4,947-$6,098 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.
$6,098-$7,708 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.
$6,558-$8,399 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$7,248-$9,779 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Modesto to Milwaukee lane (2,301 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,947-$6,098 | 42 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,466-$2,356 | 44-46 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $7,478-$10,355 | 28 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $3,106-$4,257 | 45-47 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Modesto and Milwaukee that drive volume on this lane.
E. & J. Gallo Winery (HQ)
Foster Farms (HQ, Livingston)
Del Monte Foods
Rockwell Automation (HQ)
Harley-Davidson (HQ)
Kohl's (Menomonee Falls)
Shipping Tips for Modesto to Milwaukee
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.
Milwaukee Seasonal Advisory
Manufacturing runs year-round with summer maintenance shutdowns at some plants. Harley-Davidson production peaks in spring for summer riding season deliveries. Kohl's distribution surges during Q4 holiday season. Lake Michigan port operations shut down mid-December through mid-March due to ice.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,301 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.
Modesto to Milwaukee Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Modesto to Milwaukee?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Modesto, CA to Milwaukee, WI currently range from $4,947-$6,098 for a standard dry van load over the 2,301-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $1,466-$2,356 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Request a custom quote for exact pricing based on your specific shipment details.
How long does freight take from Modesto to Milwaukee?
Standard FTL transit from Modesto to Milwaukee is approximately 42 hrs by truck over 2,301 miles. 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 takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Modesto to Milwaukee freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Modesto commonly ships almonds & walnuts, wine & spirits, dairy products, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Milwaukee commonly receives raw metals & steel, agricultural products, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Milwaukee to Modesto?
Yes. Milwaukee is a strong outbound market shipping engines & power systems (Briggs & Stratton), electrical controls (Rockwell), processed foods & beverages. Carriers returning from Milwaukee to Modesto can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Modesto-to-Milwaukee lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Modesto to Milwaukee?
The Modesto-to-Milwaukee corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Modesto's top outbound commodities include almonds & walnuts, wine & spirits, dairy products, canned fruit & vegetables, poultry products, processed tomatoes. Milwaukee's primary inbound freight includes raw metals & steel, agricultural products, consumer goods, electronic components, packaging materials, petroleum products. Industries driving this lane include agriculture & food processing and wine production from Modesto and manufacturing (engines, controls) and brewing & food processing in Milwaukee.
Get Exact Rates for Modesto to Milwaukee
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Modesto to Milwaukee lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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