Freight Shipping from Oakland to Salt Lake City
Ship freight from Oakland, CA to Salt Lake City, UT with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,651-$2,035, LTL from $622-$1,053. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
768 mi
Drive Time
14 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,651-$2,035
LTL Rate Est.
$622-$1,053
Industrial Freight Lane
Oakland → Salt Lake City Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
165–190
running this lane
Weekly Loads
231–243
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
73/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$10–$17 one-way passing through CA, UT. 2 typical fuel stops 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 Salt Lake City 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.
Salt Lake City is the Intermountain West's primary logistics gateway, sitting at the junction of I-15 and I-80 — the only major east-west corridor between Denver and the West Coast. The Bingham Canyon copper mine, the world's largest open-pit mine, generates heavy-haul mining equipment and concentrate freight. Silicon Slopes tech companies along the I-15 corridor from Provo to Ogden create a growing base of e-commerce and electronics shipments requiring fast, reliable service.
The Oakland-to-Salt Lake City corridor spans 768 miles via I-80. This lane connects port operations & logistics and food & beverage distribution freight from the Oakland market to technology (silicon slopes) and mining & minerals demand in Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City Receives
Salt Lake City's technology (silicon slopes), mining & minerals, aerospace & defense sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Oakland.
consumer goods
building materials
raw minerals
vehicles
fuel products
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Oakland and Salt Lake City, 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.
$1,651-$2,035 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.
$2,189-$2,803 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.
$622-$1,053 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Oakland to Salt Lake City lane (768 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,651-$2,035 | 14 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $622-$1,053 | 16-18 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,496-$3,456 | 9 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,037-$1,421 | 17-19 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Oakland and Salt Lake City that drive volume on this lane.
Dreyer's/Nestle
Clorox (HQ)
Peet's Coffee (HQ)
Rio Tinto Kennecott (Bingham Canyon Mine)
L3Harris Technologies
Overstock.com
Shipping Tips for Oakland to Salt Lake City
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.
Salt Lake City Seasonal Advisory
Ski season (November-April) drives hospitality and recreation freight to resort towns. Mining operations run year-round but production peaks in dry summer months. Construction activity slows during harsh winter months but the region's growth means it never truly stops.
Overnight Transit
This 768-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 Oakland and Salt Lake City — 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
Salt Lake City, UT
- Metro Population
- 1.3M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.25-$2.65/mi
- Key Highways
- I-15, I-80, I-215
- Rail / Intermodal
- Union Pacific Salt Lake City Intermodal; BNSF Salt Lake Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- West Valley City/I-215 Belt, North Salt Lake/I-15 North, Salt Lake City International Airport Area
“SLC's geographic isolation is both challenge and opportunity — the city is 500+ miles from the nearest major market (Denver or Las Vegas). Carriers who commit to regular SLC lanes build strong relationships with shippers desperate for reliable capacity, often earning above-market rates due to the repositioning miles involved.”
Return Loads from Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Oakland is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Salt Lake City
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Oakland to Salt Lake City Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Oakland to Salt Lake City?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Oakland, CA to Salt Lake City, UT currently range $1,651-$2,035 (roughly $2.15-$2.66 per mile over 768 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $622-$1,053 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 Oakland to Salt Lake City?
Standard FTL transit from Oakland to Salt Lake City is approximately 14 hrs by truck over 768 miles, with 2 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 UP Oakland Intermodal Gateway to Union Pacific Salt Lake City Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Oakland to Salt Lake City 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. Salt Lake City commonly receives consumer goods, building materials, raw minerals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Salt Lake City to Oakland?
Strong backhaul (scored 73/100 based on Salt Lake City's outbound commodity mix). Salt Lake City generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Oakland is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Salt Lake City's top outbound commodities — copper & minerals, electronics, outdoor recreation equipment — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Oakland to Salt Lake City?
The Oakland-to-Salt Lake City corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. Oakland's top outbound commodities include agricultural exports (almonds, hay), recycled commodities, manufactured goods, wine & spirits, machinery, containerized exports. Salt Lake City's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, building materials, raw minerals, vehicles, fuel products, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include port operations & logistics and food & beverage distribution from Oakland and technology (Silicon Slopes) and mining & minerals in Salt Lake City.
When are rates highest on the Oakland to Salt Lake City 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); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); 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.
Get Exact Rates for Oakland to Salt Lake City
We maintain working relationships with 165+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Oakland–Salt Lake City 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