Freight Shipping from Oakland to Sacramento
Ship freight from Oakland, CA to Sacramento, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $191-$236, LTL from $249-$476. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
89 mi
Drive Time
2 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$191-$236
LTL Rate Est.
$249-$476
Consumer Goods Corridor
Oakland → Sacramento Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
165–184
running this lane
Weekly Loads
192–205
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$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
$1–$2 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 Sacramento 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.
Sacramento is the gateway between California's Central Valley agricultural empire and the rest of the nation. The UP Roseville Yard, the largest railroad classification yard on the West Coast, processes thousands of railcars daily and makes Sacramento a critical intermodal node. The city's position at the junction of I-5 and I-80 means freight naturally flows through here whether it's heading to the Bay Area, Reno, or Portland.
The Oakland-to-Sacramento corridor spans 89 miles via I-80. This lane connects port operations & logistics and food & beverage distribution freight from the Oakland market to government and agriculture & food processing demand in Sacramento. 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 Sacramento Receives
Sacramento's government, agriculture & food processing, healthcare sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Oakland.
consumer goods
construction materials
retail merchandise
government supplies
agricultural chemicals
packaging materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Oakland and Sacramento, 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.
$191-$236 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.
$254-$325 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$280-$378 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.
$249-$476 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Oakland to Sacramento lane (89 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $191-$236 | 2 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $249-$476 | 4-6 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $289-$401 | 1 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Oakland and Sacramento that drive volume on this lane.
Dreyer's/Nestle
Clorox (HQ)
Peet's Coffee (HQ)
Blue Diamond Growers
Campbell Soup (Sacramento plant)
Amazon (3 facilities)
Shipping Tips for Oakland to Sacramento
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.
Sacramento Seasonal Advisory
Almond harvest (August-October) is the single biggest freight event, generating tens of thousands of loads. Tomato processing (July-September) and rice harvest (September-November) overlap to create the busiest reefer market in the state.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 89 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 Sacramento — 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
Sacramento, CA
- Metro Population
- 2.4M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.20-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-5, I-80, US-50
- Rail / Intermodal
- UP Roseville Yard (largest on West Coast); BNSF Stockton Intermodal
- Port Access
- Port of West Sacramento (deepwater port, 5 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- West Sacramento/Port area, Rancho Cordova/Sunrise Corridor, North Natomas
“California's Central Valley produces 25% of the nation's food, and Sacramento is where much of it gets consolidated for cross-country shipment. Reefer carriers who build relationships with Valley ag shippers can stay loaded year-round without ever leaving a 100-mile radius.”
Return Loads from Sacramento
Backhaul from Sacramento to Oakland requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Sacramento
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Oakland to Sacramento Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Oakland to Sacramento?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Oakland, CA to Sacramento, CA currently range $191-$236 (roughly $2.16-$2.67 per mile over 89 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $249-$476 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 Sacramento?
Standard FTL transit from Oakland to Sacramento is approximately 2 hrs by truck over 89 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 Sacramento 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. Sacramento commonly receives consumer goods, construction materials, retail merchandise. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Sacramento to Oakland?
Moderate backhaul (scored 60/100 based on Sacramento's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Sacramento to Oakland requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Sacramento's top outbound commodities — almonds & tree nuts, rice, processed tomatoes — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Oakland to Sacramento?
The Oakland-to-Sacramento 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. Sacramento's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, construction materials, retail merchandise, government supplies, agricultural chemicals, packaging materials. Industries driving this lane include port operations & logistics and food & beverage distribution from Oakland and government and agriculture & food processing in Sacramento.
When are rates highest on the Oakland to Sacramento 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); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). 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 Sacramento be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 89 miles (2 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Oakland-to-Sacramento 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 Sacramento
We maintain working relationships with 165+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Oakland–Sacramento 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