Freight Shipping from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles
Ship freight from Salt Lake City, UT to Los Angeles, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,638-$2,019, LTL from $619-$1,048. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
762 mi
Drive Time
14 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,638-$2,019
LTL Rate Est.
$619-$1,048
Auto Manufacturing Corridor
Salt Lake City → Los Angeles Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
170–184
running this lane
Weekly Loads
232–248
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
66/100
Moderate
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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles basin is the undisputed freight capital of the Western Hemisphere. The San Pedro Bay port complex (LA + Long Beach) handles 40% of all US containerized imports, generating a tidal wave of drayage and long-haul freight that radiates outward on I-10, I-15, and I-5. The Inland Empire east of LA has become the largest warehouse market in the world, with over 600 million square feet of distribution space absorbing and redistributing Asian imports to every corner of the country.
The Salt Lake City-to-Los Angeles corridor spans 762 miles via I-15, I-80, I-5, I-10. This lane connects technology (silicon slopes) and mining & minerals freight from the Salt Lake City market to entertainment & media and international trade demand in Los Angeles. 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 Los Angeles Receives
Los Angeles's entertainment & media, international trade, aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Salt Lake City.
consumer electronics
furniture & housewares
automotive parts
textiles & fabrics
industrial machinery
toys & games
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, 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.
$1,638-$2,019 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.
$2,172-$2,781 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.
$619-$1,048 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Salt Lake City to Los Angeles lane (762 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,638-$2,019 | 14 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $619-$1,048 | 16-18 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,477-$3,429 | 9 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,029-$1,410 | 17-19 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Salt Lake City and Los Angeles that drive volume on this lane.
Rio Tinto Kennecott (Bingham Canyon Mine)
L3Harris Technologies
Overstock.com
Amazon (15+ facilities)
Target (import DC)
Nike Distribution
Shipping Tips for Salt Lake City to Los Angeles
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.
Los Angeles Seasonal Advisory
Import surge begins in August for holiday retail season, peaking in October-November. Chinese New Year (January-February) creates a brief lull followed by a restocking wave in March.
Overnight Transit
This 762-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 Los Angeles — 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
Los Angeles, CA
- Metro Population
- 13.2M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.45-$2.85/mi
- Key Highways
- I-5, I-10, I-710
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Hobart Yard (Commerce); UP ICTF (Wilmington); UP East LA Intermodal
- Port Access
- Port of Los Angeles (20 mi) / Port of Long Beach (22 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Inland Empire (Ontario/Riverside), Commerce/Vernon, Carson/Compton
“The I-710 corridor from the ports to the intermodal yards in Commerce is the most heavily trucked stretch of highway in America. Container drayage rates fluctuate wildly based on port congestion — chassis availability can add $100-200 per container in detention charges during peak seasons.”
Return Loads from Los Angeles
Backhaul from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Los Angeles
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 Los Angeles Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Salt Lake City, UT to Los Angeles, CA currently range $1,638-$2,019 (roughly $2.17-$2.67 per mile over 762 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $619-$1,048 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 Los Angeles?
Standard FTL transit from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles is approximately 14 hrs by truck over 762 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 BNSF Hobart Yard (Commerce) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Salt Lake City to Los Angeles 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. Los Angeles commonly receives consumer electronics, furniture & housewares, automotive parts. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City?
Moderate backhaul (scored 66/100 based on Los Angeles's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Los Angeles's top outbound commodities — containerized imports (re-distribution), entertainment equipment, apparel & fashion — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles?
The Salt Lake City-to-Los Angeles corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Auto Manufacturing Corridor. Salt Lake City's top outbound commodities include copper & minerals, electronics, outdoor recreation equipment, aerospace components, food products, software media. Los Angeles's primary inbound freight includes consumer electronics, furniture & housewares, automotive parts, textiles & fabrics, industrial machinery, toys & games. Industries driving this lane include technology (Silicon Slopes) and mining & minerals from Salt Lake City and entertainment & media and international trade in Los Angeles.
When are rates highest on the Salt Lake City to Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles
We maintain working relationships with 170+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Salt Lake City–Los Angeles 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