Freight Shipping from Salt Lake City to San Francisco
Ship freight from Salt Lake City, UT to San Francisco, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,675-$2,064, LTL from $628-$1,062. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
779 mi
Drive Time
14 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,675-$2,064
LTL Rate Est.
$628-$1,062
Port Drayage Corridor
Salt Lake City → San Francisco Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
131–147
running this lane
Weekly Loads
188–207
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
60/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
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 San Francisco 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.
San Francisco's freight economy is driven by the highest-value-per-pound commodities in the country. Biotech shipments from the South San Francisco corridor require validated cold chain logistics, while tech companies demand white-glove, high-security transport for prototype hardware and server equipment. The constrained geography of the peninsula limits warehouse space, pushing most distribution operations across the bay to Oakland or south to San Jose.
The Salt Lake City-to-San Francisco corridor spans 779 miles via I-80. This lane connects technology (silicon slopes) and mining & minerals freight from the Salt Lake City market to technology and biotechnology demand in San Francisco. 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 San Francisco Receives
San Francisco's technology, biotechnology, financial services sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Salt Lake City.
server equipment
office furniture
construction materials
consumer goods
lab supplies
imported foods
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Salt Lake City and San Francisco, 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.
$1,675-$2,064 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.
$2,220-$2,843 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.
$628-$1,062 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Salt Lake City to San Francisco lane (779 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,675-$2,064 | 14 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $628-$1,062 | 16-18 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,532-$3,506 | 9 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,052-$1,441 | 17-19 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Salt Lake City and San Francisco that drive volume on this lane.
Rio Tinto Kennecott (Bingham Canyon Mine)
L3Harris Technologies
Overstock.com
Salesforce
Genentech
McKesson
Shipping Tips for Salt Lake City to San Francisco
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.
San Francisco Seasonal Advisory
Wine harvest (August-October) from Napa and Sonoma valleys creates seasonal reefer and temperature-controlled demand. Tech company product launches (often September-October) drive spikes in white-glove shipments.
Overnight Transit
This 779-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 San Francisco — 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
San Francisco, CA
- Metro Population
- 4.7M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.55-$2.95/mi
- Key Highways
- I-80, US-101, I-280
- Rail / Intermodal
- UP Oakland Intermodal
- Port Access
- Port of Oakland (10 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- South San Francisco biotech corridor, Brisbane/Bayshore
“San Francisco proper has some of the most restrictive truck access regulations in the US. Many downtown deliveries require box trucks or smaller, and certain streets ban commercial vehicles entirely during peak hours. Last-mile costs here can be triple the national average.”
Return Loads from San Francisco
Backhaul from San Francisco to Salt Lake City requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from San Francisco
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 San Francisco Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Salt Lake City to San Francisco?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Salt Lake City, UT to San Francisco, CA currently range $1,675-$2,064 (roughly $2.15-$2.67 per mile over 779 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $628-$1,062 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 Salt Lake City to San Francisco?
Standard FTL transit from Salt Lake City to San Francisco is approximately 14 hrs by truck over 779 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 takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Salt Lake City to San Francisco 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. San Francisco commonly receives server equipment, office furniture, construction materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from San Francisco to Salt Lake City?
Moderate backhaul (scored 60/100 based on San Francisco's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from San Francisco to Salt Lake City requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. San Francisco's top outbound commodities — tech hardware & servers, biotech pharmaceuticals, wine & spirits — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Salt Lake City to San Francisco?
The Salt Lake City-to-San Francisco corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Salt Lake City's top outbound commodities include copper & minerals, electronics, outdoor recreation equipment, aerospace components, food products, software media. San Francisco's primary inbound freight includes server equipment, office furniture, construction materials, consumer goods, lab supplies, imported foods. Industries driving this lane include technology (Silicon Slopes) and mining & minerals from Salt Lake City and technology and biotechnology in San Francisco.
When are rates highest on the Salt Lake City to San Francisco 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 San Francisco
We maintain working relationships with 131+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Salt Lake City–San Francisco 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