Freight Shipping from San Diego to Jacksonville
Ship freight from San Diego, CA to Jacksonville, FL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $5,835-$7,192, LTL from $1,693-$2,707. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,714 mi
Drive Time
49 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$5,835-$7,192
LTL Rate Est.
$1,693-$2,707
Fresh Food Lane
San Diego → Jacksonville Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
77–102
running this lane
Weekly Loads
195–208
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
78/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$38–$64 one-way passing through CA, FL, NM, SC. 7 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.
San Diego to Jacksonville Freight Corridor
San Diego's freight profile is defined by two forces: the massive military presence (Naval Base San Diego is the largest on the West Coast) and the Otay Mesa border crossing into Tijuana. The Otay Mesa industrial zone processes billions in cross-border maquiladora freight daily, with electronics and medical devices flowing north while raw materials and components move south. Biotech companies along the Torrey Pines corridor generate premium temperature-controlled shipments.
Jacksonville is where the Southeast's freight arteries converge. As CSX's headquarters city and the junction of I-95 and I-10, Jax controls rail and truck freight flows between the entire Eastern Seaboard and the Gulf Coast. JAXPORT is the #1 vehicle-import port in the US, processing over 700,000 vehicles annually that Southeast Toyota and other distributors truck to dealerships across the Southeast. The city's geographic position makes it the ideal repositioning hub for carriers running Florida's north-south lanes.
The San Diego-to-Jacksonville corridor spans 2,714 miles via I-5, I-8, I-95, I-10. This lane connects defense & military and biotechnology freight from the San Diego market to logistics & distribution and automotive import processing demand in Jacksonville. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from San Diego
San Diego's economy is driven by defense & military, biotechnology, telecommunications, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
defense electronics
biotech products
telecommunications equipment
craft beer
avocados & produce
medical devices
What Jacksonville Receives
Jacksonville's logistics & distribution, automotive import processing, financial services sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like San Diego.
automobiles (import)
consumer goods
construction materials
containerized cargo
military supplies
food products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between San Diego and Jacksonville, 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.
$5,835-$7,192 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.
$7,192-$9,092 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.
$7,735-$9,906 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.
$1,693-$2,707 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the San Diego to Jacksonville lane (2,714 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $5,835-$7,192 | 49 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,693-$2,707 | 51-53 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $8,821-$12,213 | 33 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $3,664-$5,021 | 52-54 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both San Diego and Jacksonville that drive volume on this lane.
General Atomics
Qualcomm
Northrop Grumman
CSX Transportation (HQ)
Southeast Toyota Distributors
Johnson & Johnson Vision
Shipping Tips for San Diego to Jacksonville
San Diego Seasonal Advisory
Avocado season (spring through summer) drives reefer demand from Fallbrook and surrounding groves. Military fiscal year-end (September) triggers a rush of defense shipments. Cross-border freight dips during Mexican holidays.
Jacksonville Seasonal Advisory
Vehicle import volume peaks in spring (new model year distribution) and fall. Hurricane season can temporarily disrupt port operations. Snowbird migration (October-November) drives a surge in household goods shipments headed to Central and South Florida.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,714 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 49 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 San Diego and Jacksonville — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
San Diego, CA
- Metro Population
- 3.3M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.35-$2.70/mi
- Key Highways
- I-5, I-8, I-15
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF San Diego Intermodal
- Port Access
- Port of San Diego (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Otay Mesa (border zone), Kearny Mesa, Miramar
“Otay Mesa border crossing wait times directly impact freight rates. During peak crossing delays (often 2-4 hours), carriers add $200-400 per load in detention surcharges. Trusted Trader (C-TPAT) carriers with FAST lane access command premium contracts.”
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
- Metro Population
- 1.6M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95, I-10, I-295
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Jacksonville Intermodal (JAXPORT area); NS Jacksonville Terminal
- Port Access
- JAXPORT (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Westside/I-10 Corridor, Northside/JAXPORT area, Imeson Industrial Park
“Jacksonville is the re-positioning capital of Florida freight. Carriers dropping loads in Miami or Tampa routinely deadhead to Jax to grab northbound I-95 loads rather than searching for scarce outbound freight in South Florida.”
Return Loads from Jacksonville
Jacksonville generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to San Diego is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Jacksonville
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
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
San Diego to Jacksonville Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from San Diego to Jacksonville?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from San Diego, CA to Jacksonville, FL currently range $5,835-$7,192 (roughly $2.16-$2.67 per mile over 2,714 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,693-$2,707 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 San Diego to Jacksonville?
Standard FTL transit from San Diego to Jacksonville is approximately 49 hrs by truck over 2,714 miles, with 7 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 BNSF San Diego Intermodal to CSX Jacksonville Intermodal (JAXPORT area) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for San Diego to Jacksonville freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. San Diego commonly ships defense electronics, biotech products, telecommunications equipment, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Jacksonville commonly receives automobiles (import), consumer goods, construction materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Jacksonville to San Diego?
Strong backhaul (scored 78/100 based on Jacksonville's outbound commodity mix). Jacksonville generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to San Diego is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Jacksonville's top outbound commodities — imported vehicles, paper & pulp products, containerized goods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from San Diego to Jacksonville?
The San Diego-to-Jacksonville corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. San Diego's top outbound commodities include defense electronics, biotech products, telecommunications equipment, craft beer, avocados & produce, medical devices. Jacksonville's primary inbound freight includes automobiles (import), consumer goods, construction materials, containerized cargo, military supplies, food products. Industries driving this lane include defense & military and biotechnology from San Diego and logistics & distribution and automotive import processing in Jacksonville.
What tolls should I expect on the San Diego to Jacksonville route?
Expect roughly $38-$64 in tolls round-trip passing through CA, FL, NM, SC. Most rate quotes either include tolls in the line-haul or bill them as a separate pass-through — ask your dispatcher to confirm which model applies to your lane.
When are rates highest on the San Diego to Jacksonville lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to defense & military and biotechnology 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); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); 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 San Diego to Jacksonville lane?
At 2,714 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 29-35 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 San Diego to Jacksonville
We maintain working relationships with 77+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the San Diego–Jacksonville 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