Freight Shipping from Raleigh to Long Beach
Ship freight from Raleigh, NC to Long Beach, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $6,244-$7,696, LTL from $1,797-$2,868. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,904 mi
Drive Time
53 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$6,244-$7,696
LTL Rate Est.
$1,797-$2,868
Port Drayage Corridor
Raleigh → Long Beach Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
74–95
running this lane
Weekly Loads
84–104
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
78/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$27–$45 one-way passing through NC, CA, TN, AR, OK, NM, GA, SC. 7 typical fuel stops 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.
Raleigh to Long Beach Freight Corridor
Raleigh-Durham's Research Triangle Park (RTP) is the largest research park in the United States, housing 300+ companies that generate a unique freight mix of pharmaceutical shipments, laboratory equipment, and high-tech components. The Triangle's rapid population growth (50%+ in 20 years) has made it one of the fastest-growing freight markets on the East Coast, with new distribution center development struggling to keep pace.
The Port of Long Beach, paired with the adjacent Port of Los Angeles, forms the San Pedro Bay complex that handles nearly half of all US maritime imports. Long Beach itself has invested billions in on-dock rail infrastructure, allowing containers to move directly from ship to train without a truck dray, though the majority still leave by truck on the notoriously congested I-710. The city's zero-emission truck mandates are reshaping drayage economics as carriers invest in electric and hydrogen-powered equipment.
The Raleigh-to-Long Beach corridor spans 2,904 miles via I-40, I-540, I-710, I-405. This lane connects technology & software and biotech & pharmaceuticals freight from the Raleigh market to port operations and oil & petrochemicals demand in Long Beach. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Raleigh
Raleigh's economy is driven by technology & software, biotech & pharmaceuticals, higher education, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
pharmaceuticals
medical devices
tech hardware
tobacco
sweet potatoes
biotech products
What Long Beach Receives
Long Beach's port operations, oil & petrochemicals, aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Raleigh.
containerized consumer goods
electronics
furniture
auto parts
textiles
toys & housewares
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Raleigh and Long Beach, 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.
$6,244-$7,696 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.
$7,696-$9,728 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.
$1,797-$2,868 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Raleigh to Long Beach lane (2,904 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $6,244-$7,696 | 53 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,797-$2,868 | 55-57 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $9,438-$13,068 | 35 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $3,920-$5,372 | 56-58 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Raleigh and Long Beach that drive volume on this lane.
Cisco Systems (RTP)
Biogen (RTP)
Fidelity Investments
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
Shipping Tips for Raleigh to Long Beach
Raleigh Seasonal Advisory
Sweet potato harvest (September-November) from the eastern NC farms creates reefer demand on I-95 and I-40. University move-in season at Duke, UNC, and NC State (August) generates household goods freight surges across the Triangle.
Long Beach Seasonal Advisory
Peak import season runs August through November for holiday retail. The "blank sailing" period during Chinese New Year (January-February) creates a 3-4 week dip before the spring restocking wave.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,904 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 53 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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Raleigh and Long Beach — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Raleigh, NC
- Metro Population
- 1.4M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-40, I-540, US-70
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Rocky Mount Intermodal (60 mi east)
- Warehouse Districts
- Selma/I-95 Corridor, Morrisville/RTP Area, Garner/I-40 South
“RTP's pharmaceutical and biotech shippers require validated temperature-controlled lanes with real-time monitoring and chain-of-custody documentation. Carriers with GDP (Good Distribution Practice) compliance certifications access the highest-paying freight in the region.”
Destination
Long Beach, CA
- Metro Population
- 475K city
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.40-$2.80/mi
- Key Highways
- I-710, I-405, SR-47
- Rail / Intermodal
- Pier B On-Dock Rail (UP/BNSF); ITS Terminal; TTI Terminal
- Port Access
- Port of Long Beach (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- North Long Beach, Carson/Dominguez, Signal Hill
“Long Beach's Clean Truck Program now requires all drayage trucks entering the port to meet 2010 or newer emission standards. The upcoming zero-emission mandate is already driving smaller drayage operators out of the market, concentrating volume with larger, better-capitalized fleets.”
Return Loads from Long Beach
Long Beach generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Raleigh is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Long Beach
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
Raleigh to Long Beach Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Raleigh to Long Beach?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Raleigh, NC to Long Beach, CA currently range $6,244-$7,696 (roughly $2.17-$2.68 per mile over 2,904 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,797-$2,868 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 Raleigh to Long Beach?
Standard FTL transit from Raleigh to Long Beach is approximately 53 hrs by truck over 2,904 miles, with 7 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 CSX Rocky Mount Intermodal (60 mi east) to Pier B On-Dock Rail (UP/BNSF) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Raleigh to Long Beach freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Raleigh commonly ships pharmaceuticals, medical devices, tech hardware, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Long Beach commonly receives containerized consumer goods, electronics, furniture. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Long Beach to Raleigh?
Strong backhaul (scored 78/100 based on Long Beach's outbound commodity mix). Long Beach generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Raleigh is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Long Beach's top outbound commodities — transloaded imports, petroleum products, recycled materials — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Raleigh to Long Beach?
The Raleigh-to-Long Beach corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Raleigh's top outbound commodities include pharmaceuticals, medical devices, tech hardware, tobacco, sweet potatoes, biotech products. Long Beach's primary inbound freight includes containerized consumer goods, electronics, furniture, auto parts, textiles, toys & housewares. Industries driving this lane include technology & software and biotech & pharmaceuticals from Raleigh and port operations and oil & petrochemicals in Long Beach.
What tolls should I expect on the Raleigh to Long Beach route?
Expect roughly $27-$45 in tolls round-trip passing through NC, CA, TN, AR, OK, NM, GA, SC. Most rate quotes either include tolls in the line-haul or bill them as a separate pass-through — ask your dispatcher to confirm which model applies to your lane.
When are rates highest on the Raleigh to Long Beach lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to technology & software and biotech & pharmaceuticals 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.
Should I use team drivers for the Raleigh to Long Beach lane?
At 2,904 miles, this route exceeds a solo driver's hours-of-service limits and requires at least one 10-hour break, adding roughly 14-18 hours to transit. Team drivers typically deliver in 31-38 hours — nearly half the solo transit — at a 20-35% rate premium. For time-critical freight over 1,200 miles, teams generally pay for themselves.
Get Exact Rates for Raleigh to Long Beach
We maintain working relationships with 74+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Raleigh–Long Beach 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