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
Fresh Food Lane
Modesto → Milwaukee Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
79–102
running this lane
Weekly Loads
88–103
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
71/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$42–$70 one-way passing through CA, WI, KY, IN, IL, MO. 6 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 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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Modesto and Milwaukee — 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
Milwaukee, WI
- Metro Population
- 1.6M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-94, I-43, I-894
- Rail / Intermodal
- Union Pacific Global III (Rochelle — 70 mi); Canadian Pacific Milwaukee Yard
- Port Access
- Port of Milwaukee (Lake Michigan, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Menomonee Falls/I-41 North, Oak Creek/I-94 South, New Berlin/I-43 West
“Milwaukee's proximity to Chicago (90 miles south on I-94) creates a freight dynamic where many carriers treat the two cities as a single market. Smart operators use Milwaukee as a staging area to avoid Chicago's notorious congestion and detention, picking up loads here that pay nearly as well without the headaches.”
Return Loads from Milwaukee
Milwaukee generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Modesto is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Milwaukee
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
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
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 $4,947-$6,098 (roughly $2.17-$2.68 per mile over 2,301 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,466-$2,356 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 Milwaukee?
Standard FTL transit from Modesto to Milwaukee is approximately 42 hrs by truck over 2,301 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 BNSF Modesto Yard to Union Pacific Global III (Rochelle — 70 mi) 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?
Strong backhaul (scored 71/100 based on Milwaukee's outbound commodity mix). Milwaukee generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Modesto is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Milwaukee's top outbound commodities — engines & power systems (Briggs & Stratton), electrical controls (Rockwell), processed foods & beverages — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Modesto to Milwaukee?
The Modesto-to-Milwaukee 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. 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.
What tolls should I expect on the Modesto to Milwaukee route?
Expect roughly $42-$70 in tolls round-trip passing through CA, WI, KY, 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 Milwaukee 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); 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 Milwaukee lane?
At 2,301 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 Modesto to Milwaukee
We maintain working relationships with 79+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Modesto–Milwaukee 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