Freight Shipping from Modesto to Portland
Ship freight from Modesto, CA to Portland, OR with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,539-$1,897, LTL from $594-$1,009. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
716 mi
Drive Time
13 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,539-$1,897
LTL Rate Est.
$594-$1,009
Port Drayage Corridor
Modesto → Portland Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
134–158
running this lane
Weekly Loads
84–104
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
70/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$10–$16 one-way passing through CA, OR. 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 Portland 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.
Portland is the Pacific Northwest's primary freight gateway, where the Columbia River meets I-5 to create a powerful multimodal corridor. Intel's massive Hillsboro campus — the company's largest manufacturing site globally — generates a constant flow of high-value semiconductor shipments requiring climate-controlled and white-glove handling. Nike and Columbia Sportswear headquarters drive import-heavy container volumes through the Port of Portland's marine terminals.
The Modesto-to-Portland corridor spans 716 miles via SR-99, SR-132, I-5, I-84. This lane connects agriculture & food processing and wine production freight from the Modesto market to semiconductors & electronics and sportswear & apparel demand in Portland. 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 Portland Receives
Portland's semiconductors & electronics, sportswear & apparel, forestry & wood products sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Modesto.
containerized imports (Asia)
raw materials
silicon wafers
consumer goods
automotive vehicles
petroleum products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Modesto and Portland, 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.
$1,539-$1,897 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.
$1,897-$2,399 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,255-$3,043 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.
$594-$1,009 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Modesto to Portland lane (716 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,539-$1,897 | 13 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $594-$1,009 | 15-17 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,327-$3,222 | 9 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $967-$1,325 | 16-18 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Modesto and Portland that drive volume on this lane.
E. & J. Gallo Winery (HQ)
Foster Farms (HQ, Livingston)
Del Monte Foods
Intel (Hillsboro Campus)
Nike (HQ, Beaverton)
Columbia Sportswear (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Modesto to Portland
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.
Portland Seasonal Advisory
Lumber shipments peak April through October during construction season. Holiday retail imports surge August through November. Intel production runs year-round, though new product launches can spike shipment volumes unpredictably.
Overnight Transit
This 716-mile route typically requires one overnight stop for a solo driver. Schedule pickup before noon for next-day delivery in most cases.
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 Portland — 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
Portland, OR
- Metro Population
- 2.5M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.30-$2.70/mi
- Key Highways
- I-5, I-84, I-205
- Rail / Intermodal
- Union Pacific Brooklyn Yard; BNSF Lake Yard
- Port Access
- Port of Portland (Columbia River, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Rivergate Industrial District, Tualatin/I-5 South, Clackamas/I-205 Corridor
“The I-5 corridor between Portland and Seattle is one of the most heavily trafficked freight lanes on the West Coast. Carriers who specialize in this 175-mile lane can run two round trips per day, making it one of the most productive short-haul routes in the country.”
Return Loads from Portland
Portland generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Modesto is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Portland
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 Portland Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Modesto to Portland?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Modesto, CA to Portland, OR currently range $1,539-$1,897 (roughly $2.16-$2.67 per mile over 716 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $594-$1,009 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 Portland?
Standard FTL transit from Modesto to Portland is approximately 13 hrs by truck over 716 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service via BNSF Modesto Yard to Union Pacific Brooklyn Yard takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Modesto to Portland freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Modesto commonly ships almonds & walnuts, wine & spirits, dairy products, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Portland commonly receives containerized imports (Asia), raw materials, silicon wafers. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Portland to Modesto?
Strong backhaul (scored 70/100 based on Portland's outbound commodity mix). Portland generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Modesto is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Portland's top outbound commodities — semiconductors (Intel), athletic footwear & apparel, lumber & timber — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Modesto to Portland?
The Modesto-to-Portland corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Modesto's top outbound commodities include almonds & walnuts, wine & spirits, dairy products, canned fruit & vegetables, poultry products, processed tomatoes. Portland's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (Asia), raw materials, silicon wafers, consumer goods, automotive vehicles, petroleum products. Industries driving this lane include agriculture & food processing and wine production from Modesto and semiconductors & electronics and sportswear & apparel in Portland.
When are rates highest on the Modesto to Portland 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.
Get Exact Rates for Modesto to Portland
We maintain working relationships with 134+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Modesto–Portland 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