Freight Shipping from Oakland to Modesto
Ship freight from Oakland, CA to Modesto, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $198-$244, LTL from $251-$478. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
92 mi
Drive Time
2 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$198-$244
LTL Rate Est.
$251-$478
Consumer Goods Corridor
Oakland → Modesto Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
151–174
running this lane
Weekly Loads
90–103
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
60/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$2–$3 one-way passing through CA. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Oakland to Modesto 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.
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 Oakland-to-Modesto corridor spans 92 miles via I-80, I-880, SR-99, SR-132. This lane connects port operations & logistics and food & beverage distribution freight from the Oakland market to agriculture & food processing and wine production demand in Modesto. 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 Modesto Receives
Modesto's agriculture & food processing, wine production, dairy sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Oakland.
packaging materials
agricultural chemicals
consumer goods
fuel products
glass bottles (for wine)
food ingredients
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Oakland and Modesto, 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.
$198-$244 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.
$262-$336 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$290-$391 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.
$251-$478 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Oakland to Modesto lane (92 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $198-$244 | 2 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $251-$478 | 4-6 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $299-$414 | 1 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Oakland and Modesto that drive volume on this lane.
Dreyer's/Nestle
Clorox (HQ)
Peet's Coffee (HQ)
E. & J. Gallo Winery (HQ)
Foster Farms (HQ, Livingston)
Del Monte Foods
Shipping Tips for Oakland to Modesto
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.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 92 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 Oakland and Modesto — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Oakland, CA
- Metro Population
- 2.8M metro (East Bay)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.50-$2.90/mi
- Key Highways
- I-80, I-880, I-580
- Rail / Intermodal
- UP Oakland Intermodal Gateway; Oakland International Gateway (OIG)
- Port Access
- Port of Oakland (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Oakland Army Base redevelopment, San Leandro/I-880 Corridor, West Oakland port district
“Unlike LA/Long Beach, Oakland is primarily an export port. Agricultural exporters from the Central Valley prefer Oakland because transit times to Asia are 1-2 days shorter than from Southern California, and port congestion is significantly lower.”
Destination
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.”
Return Loads from Modesto
Backhaul from Modesto to Oakland requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Modesto
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Oakland to Modesto Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Oakland to Modesto?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Oakland, CA to Modesto, CA currently range $198-$244 (roughly $2.18-$2.67 per mile over 92 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $251-$478 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced 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 Oakland to Modesto?
Standard FTL transit from Oakland to Modesto is approximately 2 hrs by truck over 92 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 Oakland to Modesto 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. Modesto commonly receives packaging materials, agricultural chemicals, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Modesto to Oakland?
Moderate backhaul (scored 60/100 based on Modesto's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Modesto to Oakland requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Modesto's top outbound commodities — almonds & walnuts, wine & spirits, dairy products — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Oakland to Modesto?
The Oakland-to-Modesto corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Oakland's top outbound commodities include agricultural exports (almonds, hay), recycled commodities, manufactured goods, wine & spirits, machinery, containerized exports. Modesto's primary inbound freight includes packaging materials, agricultural chemicals, consumer goods, fuel products, glass bottles (for wine), food ingredients. Industries driving this lane include port operations & logistics and food & beverage distribution from Oakland and agriculture & food processing and wine production in Modesto.
When are rates highest on the Oakland to Modesto lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to port operations & logistics and food & beverage distribution cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Can freight from Oakland to Modesto be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 92 miles (2 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Oakland-to-Modesto 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 1 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Oakland to Modesto
We maintain working relationships with 151+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Oakland–Modesto 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