Freight Shipping from Riverside to Long Beach
Ship freight from Riverside, CA to Long Beach, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $133-$164, LTL from $234-$453. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
62 mi
Drive Time
1 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$133-$164
LTL Rate Est.
$234-$453
Energy & Chemicals Route
Riverside → Long Beach Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
154–168
running this lane
Weekly Loads
82–103
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
75/100
Strong
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.
Riverside to Long Beach Freight Corridor
The Inland Empire, centered on Riverside and San Bernardino, has quietly become the largest warehouse market in the world. Over 700 million square feet of distribution space absorbs the container avalanche from the LA/Long Beach ports and repackages it for cross-country shipment. Amazon alone operates more than 20 fulfillment and sort centers here. The World Logistics Center in Moreno Valley, at 40 million square feet, is one of the largest distribution developments ever built.
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 Riverside-to-Long Beach corridor spans 62 miles via I-10, I-15, I-710, I-405. This lane connects warehousing & distribution and e-commerce fulfillment freight from the Riverside 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 Riverside
Riverside's economy is driven by warehousing & distribution, e-commerce fulfillment, food processing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
redistributed consumer goods
e-commerce parcels
processed foods
building materials
pet food
beverages
What Long Beach Receives
Long Beach's port operations, oil & petrochemicals, aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Riverside.
containerized consumer goods
electronics
furniture
auto parts
textiles
toys & housewares
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Riverside 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.
$133-$164 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.
$164-$208 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.
$177-$226 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.
$234-$453 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Riverside to Long Beach lane (62 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $133-$164 | 1 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $234-$453 | 3-5 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $202-$279 | 1 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Riverside and Long Beach that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (20+ facilities in IE)
Ross Stores DC
Skechers Distribution
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
Shipping Tips for Riverside to Long Beach
Riverside Seasonal Advisory
E-commerce fulfillment drives a dramatic October-December peak, with Amazon facilities running 24/7. January-February is the slowest period as retailers clear holiday inventory rather than shipping new product.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 62 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 Riverside and Long Beach — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Riverside, CA
- Metro Population
- 4.6M metro (Inland Empire)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.30-$2.65/mi
- Key Highways
- I-10, I-15, SR-60
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF San Bernardino Intermodal; UP Colton Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- Ontario/Rancho Cucamonga, Moreno Valley (World Logistics Center), Perris/Menifee
“Inland Empire outbound rates are consistently 10-15% lower than LA proper because there is such a massive supply of freight. Carriers who reposition from LA to the IE can often find loads faster and with less downtime, even at slightly lower per-mile rates.”
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 Riverside is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Long Beach
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
Riverside to Long Beach Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Riverside to Long Beach?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Riverside, CA to Long Beach, CA currently range $133-$164 (roughly $2.18-$2.68 per mile over 62 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $234-$453 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 Riverside to Long Beach?
Standard FTL transit from Riverside to Long Beach is approximately 1 hrs by truck over 62 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 Riverside to Long Beach freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Riverside commonly ships redistributed consumer goods, e-commerce parcels, processed foods, 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 Riverside?
Strong backhaul (scored 75/100 based on Long Beach's outbound commodity mix). Long Beach generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Riverside 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 Riverside to Long Beach?
The Riverside-to-Long Beach corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Energy & Chemicals Route. Riverside's top outbound commodities include redistributed consumer goods, e-commerce parcels, processed foods, building materials, pet food, beverages. Long Beach's primary inbound freight includes containerized consumer goods, electronics, furniture, auto parts, textiles, toys & housewares. Industries driving this lane include warehousing & distribution and e-commerce fulfillment from Riverside and port operations and oil & petrochemicals in Long Beach.
When are rates highest on the Riverside to Long Beach lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to warehousing & distribution and e-commerce fulfillment 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.
Can freight from Riverside to Long Beach be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 62 miles (1 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Riverside-to-Long Beach 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 Riverside to Long Beach
We maintain working relationships with 154+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Riverside–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