Freight Shipping from Oakland to Billings
Ship freight from Oakland, CA to Billings, MT with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,505-$3,087, LTL from $841-$1,390. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,165 mi
Drive Time
21 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,505-$3,087
LTL Rate Est.
$841-$1,390
Oakland to Billings Freight Corridor
Oakland is Northern California's freight nerve center. The Port of Oakland is the 8th busiest container port in North America and the primary export gateway for Central Valley agricultural products, particularly almonds bound for Asia and hay destined for Japan and the Middle East. The Oakland International Gateway intermodal facility provides direct rail connections to UP's transcontinental network, enabling shippers to avoid the congestion of Southern California ports.
Billings is Montana's largest city and the commercial hub of the northern Great Plains, serving as a distribution point for a vast rural territory stretching from the Dakotas to Idaho. Two petroleum refineries process Bakken crude oil, generating steady tanker freight. The surrounding agricultural economy produces wheat, sugar beets, and cattle that move by truck to processing plants and rail terminals.
The Oakland-to-Billings corridor spans 1,165 miles via I-80, I-880, I-90, I-94. This lane connects port operations & logistics and food & beverage distribution freight from the Oakland market to petroleum refining and agriculture & ranching demand in Billings. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Oakland
Oakland's economy is driven by port operations & logistics, food & beverage distribution, technology, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
agricultural exports (almonds, hay)
recycled commodities
manufactured goods
wine & spirits
machinery
containerized exports
What Billings Receives
Billings's petroleum refining, agriculture & ranching, energy (oil & gas) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Oakland.
crude oil
consumer goods
building materials
farm equipment
industrial supplies
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Oakland and Billings, 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.
$2,505-$3,087 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.
$3,320-$4,252 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,670-$4,951 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.
$841-$1,390 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Oakland to Billings lane (1,165 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,505-$3,087 | 21 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $841-$1,390 | 23-25 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,786-$5,243 | 14 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,573-$2,155 | 24-26 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Oakland and Billings that drive volume on this lane.
Dreyer's/Nestle
Clorox (HQ)
Peet's Coffee (HQ)
CHS Refinery (Laurel)
ExxonMobil Billings Refinery
Western Sugar Cooperative
Shipping Tips for Oakland to Billings
Oakland Seasonal Advisory
Export volumes peak September through December as post-harvest agricultural commodities move to overseas markets. Import volumes follow retail patterns with an August-November surge for holiday goods.
Billings Seasonal Advisory
Grain harvest (August-October) creates intense demand for hopper trailers and flatbeds. Winter conditions on I-90 over the mountain passes can close roads for days, creating delivery reliability challenges from November through March.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,165 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 21 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.
Oakland to Billings Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Oakland to Billings?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Oakland, CA to Billings, MT currently range from $2,505-$3,087 for a standard dry van load over the 1,165-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $841-$1,390 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 Oakland to Billings?
Standard FTL transit from Oakland to Billings is approximately 21 hrs by truck over 1,165 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 Oakland to Billings freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Oakland commonly ships agricultural exports (almonds, hay), recycled commodities, manufactured goods, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Billings commonly receives crude oil, consumer goods, building materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Billings to Oakland?
Yes. Billings is a strong outbound market shipping refined petroleum, sugar beets, grain & wheat. Carriers returning from Billings to Oakland can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Oakland-to-Billings lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Oakland to Billings?
The Oakland-to-Billings corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Oakland's top outbound commodities include agricultural exports (almonds, hay), recycled commodities, manufactured goods, wine & spirits, machinery, containerized exports. Billings's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, consumer goods, building materials, farm equipment, industrial supplies, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include port operations & logistics and food & beverage distribution from Oakland and petroleum refining and agriculture & ranching in Billings.
Get Exact Rates for Oakland to Billings
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Oakland to Billings lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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