Freight Shipping from Salt Lake City to Long Beach
Ship freight from Salt Lake City, UT to Long Beach, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,660-$2,046, LTL from $625-$1,056. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
772 mi
Drive Time
14 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,660-$2,046
LTL Rate Est.
$625-$1,056
Consumer Goods Corridor
Salt Lake City → Long Beach Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
164–186
running this lane
Weekly Loads
101–114
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
75/100
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 UT, CA. 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.
Salt Lake City to Long Beach Freight Corridor
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 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 Salt Lake City-to-Long Beach corridor spans 772 miles via I-15, I-80, I-710, I-405. This lane connects technology (silicon slopes) and mining & minerals freight from the Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City's economy is driven by technology (silicon slopes), mining & minerals, aerospace & defense, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
copper & minerals
electronics
outdoor recreation equipment
aerospace components
food products
software media
What Long Beach Receives
Long Beach's port operations, oil & petrochemicals, aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Salt Lake City.
containerized consumer goods
electronics
furniture
auto parts
textiles
toys & housewares
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Salt Lake City 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.
$1,660-$2,046 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.
$2,200-$2,818 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.
$625-$1,056 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Salt Lake City to Long Beach lane (772 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,660-$2,046 | 14 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $625-$1,056 | 16-18 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,509-$3,474 | 9 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,042-$1,428 | 17-19 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Salt Lake City and Long Beach that drive volume on this lane.
Rio Tinto Kennecott (Bingham Canyon Mine)
L3Harris Technologies
Overstock.com
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
Shipping Tips for Salt Lake City to Long Beach
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.
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.
Overnight Transit
This 772-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 Salt Lake City and Long Beach — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
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.”
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 Salt Lake City 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
Salt Lake City to Long Beach Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Salt Lake City to Long Beach?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Salt Lake City, UT to Long Beach, CA currently range $1,660-$2,046 (roughly $2.17-$2.66 per mile over 772 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $625-$1,056 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 Salt Lake City to Long Beach?
Standard FTL transit from Salt Lake City to Long Beach is approximately 14 hrs by truck over 772 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 Union Pacific Salt Lake City Intermodal to Pier B On-Dock Rail (UP/BNSF) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Salt Lake City to Long Beach freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Salt Lake City commonly ships copper & minerals, electronics, outdoor recreation equipment, 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 Salt Lake City?
Strong backhaul (scored 75/100 based on Long Beach's outbound commodity mix). Long Beach generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City to Long Beach?
The Salt Lake City-to-Long Beach corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Salt Lake City's top outbound commodities include copper & minerals, electronics, outdoor recreation equipment, aerospace components, food products, software media. Long Beach's primary inbound freight includes containerized consumer goods, electronics, furniture, auto parts, textiles, toys & housewares. Industries driving this lane include technology (Silicon Slopes) and mining & minerals from Salt Lake City and port operations and oil & petrochemicals in Long Beach.
When are rates highest on the Salt Lake City to Long Beach lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to technology (Silicon Slopes) and mining & minerals cycles. Key periods: 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 (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Salt Lake City to Long Beach
We maintain working relationships with 164+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Salt Lake City–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