Freight Shipping from San Diego to Los Angeles
Ship freight from San Diego, CA to Los Angeles, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $295-$363, LTL from $275-$516. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
137 mi
Drive Time
2 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$295-$363
LTL Rate Est.
$275-$516
Consumer Goods Corridor
San Diego → Los Angeles Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
166–182
running this lane
Weekly Loads
188–200
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
73/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$2–$4 one-way passing through CA. 1 typical fuel stop 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 Los Angeles 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.
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 San Diego-to-Los Angeles corridor spans 137 miles via I-5. This lane connects defense & military and biotechnology freight from the San Diego 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 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 Los Angeles Receives
Los Angeles's entertainment & media, international trade, aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like San Diego.
consumer electronics
furniture & housewares
automotive parts
textiles & fabrics
industrial machinery
toys & games
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between San Diego 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.
$295-$363 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.
$363-$459 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.
$390-$500 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.
$275-$516 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the San Diego to Los Angeles lane (137 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $295-$363 | 2 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $275-$516 | 4-6 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $445-$617 | 2 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both San Diego and Los Angeles that drive volume on this lane.
General Atomics
Qualcomm
Northrop Grumman
Amazon (15+ facilities)
Target (import DC)
Nike Distribution
Shipping Tips for San Diego to Los Angeles
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.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 137 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
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 Los Angeles — 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
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
Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles
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
San Diego to Los Angeles Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from San Diego to Los Angeles?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from San Diego, CA to Los Angeles, CA currently range $295-$363 (roughly $2.16-$2.65 per mile over 137 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $275-$516 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 Los Angeles?
Standard FTL transit from San Diego to Los Angeles is approximately 2 hrs by truck over 137 miles, with 1 typical fuel stop 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%.
What equipment do I need for San Diego to Los Angeles 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. 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 San Diego?
Strong backhaul (scored 73/100 based on Los Angeles's outbound commodity mix). Los Angeles generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to San Diego is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. 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 San Diego to Los Angeles?
The San Diego-to-Los Angeles corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. San Diego's top outbound commodities include defense electronics, biotech products, telecommunications equipment, craft beer, avocados & produce, medical devices. Los Angeles's primary inbound freight includes consumer electronics, furniture & housewares, automotive parts, textiles & fabrics, industrial machinery, toys & games. Industries driving this lane include defense & military and biotechnology from San Diego and entertainment & media and international trade in Los Angeles.
When are rates highest on the San Diego to Los Angeles 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). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Mon, Tue, Wed) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Can freight from San Diego to Los Angeles be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 137 miles (2 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the San Diego-to-Los Angeles lane in one shift. Same-day delivery requires booking before 9 AM local time at origin and confirming dock availability at destination. Expedited service runs 2 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for San Diego to Los Angeles
We maintain working relationships with 166+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the San Diego–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