Freight Shipping from Salt Lake City to Oakland
Ship freight from Salt Lake City, UT to Oakland, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,651-$2,035, LTL from $622-$1,053. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
768 mi
Drive Time
14 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,651-$2,035
LTL Rate Est.
$622-$1,053
Fresh Food Lane
Salt Lake City → Oakland Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
167–185
running this lane
Weekly Loads
227–248
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
70/100
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 Oakland 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.
Oakland is Northern California's freight nerve center. The Port of Oakland is the 8th busiest container port in North America and the primary export gateway for Central Valley agricultural products, particularly almonds bound for Asia and hay destined for Japan and the Middle East. The Oakland International Gateway intermodal facility provides direct rail connections to UP's transcontinental network, enabling shippers to avoid the congestion of Southern California ports.
The Salt Lake City-to-Oakland corridor spans 768 miles via I-80. This lane connects technology (silicon slopes) and mining & minerals freight from the Salt Lake City market to port operations & logistics and food & beverage distribution demand in Oakland. 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 Oakland Receives
Oakland's port operations & logistics, food & beverage distribution, technology sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Salt Lake City.
containerized imports
automobiles
building materials
electronics
furniture
apparel
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Salt Lake City and Oakland, 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.
$1,651-$2,035 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.
$2,189-$2,803 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.
$622-$1,053 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Salt Lake City to Oakland lane (768 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,651-$2,035 | 14 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $622-$1,053 | 16-18 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,496-$3,456 | 9 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,037-$1,421 | 17-19 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Salt Lake City and Oakland that drive volume on this lane.
Rio Tinto Kennecott (Bingham Canyon Mine)
L3Harris Technologies
Overstock.com
Dreyer's/Nestle
Clorox (HQ)
Peet's Coffee (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Salt Lake City to Oakland
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.
Oakland Seasonal Advisory
Export volumes peak September through December as post-harvest agricultural commodities move to overseas markets. Import volumes follow retail patterns with an August-November surge for holiday goods.
Overnight Transit
This 768-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 Oakland — 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
Oakland, CA
- Metro Population
- 2.8M metro (East Bay)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.50-$2.90/mi
- Key Highways
- I-80, I-880, I-580
- Rail / Intermodal
- UP Oakland Intermodal Gateway; Oakland International Gateway (OIG)
- Port Access
- Port of Oakland (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Oakland Army Base redevelopment, San Leandro/I-880 Corridor, West Oakland port district
“Unlike LA/Long Beach, Oakland is primarily an export port. Agricultural exporters from the Central Valley prefer Oakland because transit times to Asia are 1-2 days shorter than from Southern California, and port congestion is significantly lower.”
Return Loads from Oakland
Oakland 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 Oakland
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Salt Lake City to Oakland Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Salt Lake City to Oakland?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Salt Lake City, UT to Oakland, CA currently range $1,651-$2,035 (roughly $2.15-$2.66 per mile over 768 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $622-$1,053 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 Oakland?
Standard FTL transit from Salt Lake City to Oakland is approximately 14 hrs by truck over 768 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 UP Oakland Intermodal Gateway takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Salt Lake City to Oakland 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. Oakland commonly receives containerized imports, automobiles, building materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Oakland to Salt Lake City?
Strong backhaul (scored 70/100 based on Oakland's outbound commodity mix). Oakland generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Salt Lake City is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Oakland's top outbound commodities — agricultural exports (almonds, hay), recycled commodities, manufactured goods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Salt Lake City to Oakland?
The Salt Lake City-to-Oakland corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. Salt Lake City's top outbound commodities include copper & minerals, electronics, outdoor recreation equipment, aerospace components, food products, software media. Oakland's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, building materials, electronics, furniture, apparel. Industries driving this lane include technology (Silicon Slopes) and mining & minerals from Salt Lake City and port operations & logistics and food & beverage distribution in Oakland.
When are rates highest on the Salt Lake City to Oakland 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); 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.
Get Exact Rates for Salt Lake City to Oakland
We maintain working relationships with 167+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Salt Lake City–Oakland 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