Freight Shipping from Sacramento to Dallas
Ship freight from Sacramento, CA to Dallas, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,018-$4,953, LTL from $1,228-$1,989. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,869 mi
Drive Time
34 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,018-$4,953
LTL Rate Est.
$1,228-$1,989
Consumer Goods Corridor
Sacramento → Dallas Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
78–92
running this lane
Weekly Loads
194–213
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.67
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
$22–$37 one-way passing through CA, TX, OK, NM. 4 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.
Sacramento to Dallas Freight Corridor
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.
Dallas is the economic engine of the DFW metroplex, housing more Fortune 500 corporate headquarters than any city except New York. Texas Instruments and the Telecom Corridor in Richardson generate a constant flow of high-value electronics freight, while the South Dallas warehouse district contains over 150 million square feet of distribution space. The city's central location means a truck leaving Dallas can reach 93% of the U.S. population within 48 hours.
The Sacramento-to-Dallas corridor spans 1,869 miles via I-5, I-80, I-35E, I-30. This lane connects government and agriculture & food processing freight from the Sacramento market to technology and telecommunications demand in Dallas. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Sacramento
Sacramento's economy is driven by government, agriculture & food processing, healthcare, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
almonds & tree nuts
rice
processed tomatoes
wine
canned fruits & vegetables
dairy products
What Dallas Receives
Dallas's technology, telecommunications, financial services sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Sacramento.
consumer goods
raw materials
electronic components
building materials
imported merchandise
petroleum products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Sacramento and Dallas, 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.
$4,018-$4,953 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.
$4,953-$6,261 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.
$5,327-$6,822 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$5,887-$7,943 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Sacramento to Dallas lane (1,869 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,018-$4,953 | 34 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,228-$1,989 | 36-38 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $6,074-$8,411 | 23 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,523-$3,458 | 37-39 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Sacramento and Dallas that drive volume on this lane.
Blue Diamond Growers
Campbell Soup (Sacramento plant)
Amazon (3 facilities)
Texas Instruments (HQ)
AT&T (HQ)
Amazon DFW Fulfillment Network
Shipping Tips for Sacramento to Dallas
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.
Dallas Seasonal Advisory
E-commerce fulfillment peaks massively during Q4 holidays. Construction freight is year-round due to DFW's unrelenting building boom. Texas Instruments production runs consistently but new product cycles create periodic shipping surges.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,869 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 34 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 Sacramento and Dallas — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
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.”
Destination
Dallas, TX
- Metro Population
- 7.6M metro (DFW)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.00-$2.35/mi
- Key Highways
- I-35E, I-30, I-635 (LBJ)
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Alliance Intermodal (Fort Worth); Union Pacific Mesquite Intermodal; BNSF Wilmer Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- South Dallas/I-20 Corridor, Mesquite/I-30 East, Garland/I-635 Northeast
“Dallas's massive inbound-to-outbound imbalance — driven by the region's explosive population growth — means carriers delivering to DFW can almost always find loads out. The challenge is finding loads that pay well enough to justify the outbound leg, especially southbound to Houston where competition is fierce.”
Return Loads from Dallas
Dallas generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Sacramento is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Dallas
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
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Sacramento to Dallas Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Sacramento to Dallas?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Sacramento, CA to Dallas, TX currently range $4,018-$4,953 (roughly $2.17-$2.67 per mile over 1,869 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,228-$1,989 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 Sacramento to Dallas?
Standard FTL transit from Sacramento to Dallas is approximately 34 hrs by truck over 1,869 miles, with 4 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 Roseville Yard (largest on West Coast) to BNSF Alliance Intermodal (Fort Worth) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Sacramento to Dallas freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Sacramento commonly ships almonds & tree nuts, rice, processed tomatoes, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Dallas commonly receives consumer goods, raw materials, electronic components. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Dallas to Sacramento?
Strong backhaul (scored 73/100 based on Dallas's outbound commodity mix). Dallas generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Sacramento is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Dallas's top outbound commodities — electronics (Texas Instruments), telecommunications equipment, consumer packaged goods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Sacramento to Dallas?
The Sacramento-to-Dallas corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Sacramento's top outbound commodities include almonds & tree nuts, rice, processed tomatoes, wine, canned fruits & vegetables, dairy products. Dallas's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, raw materials, electronic components, building materials, imported merchandise, petroleum products. Industries driving this lane include government and agriculture & food processing from Sacramento and technology and telecommunications in Dallas.
When are rates highest on the Sacramento to Dallas lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to government and agriculture & food processing 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); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). 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 Sacramento to Dallas lane?
At 1,869 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 20-24 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 Sacramento to Dallas
We maintain working relationships with 78+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Sacramento–Dallas 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