Freight Shipping from San Francisco to Fort Worth
Ship freight from San Francisco, CA to Fort Worth, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,059-$5,003, LTL from $1,238-$2,005. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,888 mi
Drive Time
34 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,059-$5,003
LTL Rate Est.
$1,238-$2,005
San Francisco to Fort Worth Freight Corridor
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.
Fort Worth is the aerospace and rail logistics capital of Texas. Lockheed Martin's mile-long factory produces every F-35 Lightning II fighter jet sold worldwide, generating classified, oversize, and high-security freight that requires specialized carriers. BNSF Railway's headquarters and Alliance Texas — the nation's largest inland port — create one of the most sophisticated intermodal logistics ecosystems in North America. Bell Textron builds V-22 Ospreys and commercial helicopters, adding to the aerospace freight base.
The San Francisco-to-Fort Worth corridor spans 1,888 miles via I-80, US-101, I-35W, I-30. This lane connects technology and biotechnology freight from the San Francisco market to aerospace & defense and rail logistics demand in Fort Worth. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from San Francisco
San Francisco's economy is driven by technology, biotechnology, financial services, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
tech hardware & servers
biotech pharmaceuticals
wine & spirits
specialty foods
medical devices
lab equipment
What Fort Worth Receives
Fort Worth's aerospace & defense, rail logistics, ranching & agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like San Francisco.
aerospace sub-assemblies
raw metals
containerized imports (via Alliance)
consumer goods
building materials
fuel
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between San Francisco and Fort Worth, 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.
$4,059-$5,003 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.
$5,003-$6,325 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.
$5,381-$6,891 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.
$1,238-$2,005 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the San Francisco to Fort Worth lane (1,888 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,059-$5,003 | 34 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,238-$2,005 | 36-38 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $6,136-$8,496 | 23 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,549-$3,493 | 37-39 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both San Francisco and Fort Worth that drive volume on this lane.
Salesforce
Genentech
McKesson
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (F-35)
Bell Textron (HQ)
BNSF Railway (HQ)
Shipping Tips for San Francisco to Fort Worth
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.
Fort Worth Seasonal Advisory
Defense freight follows federal fiscal year-end spending (September rush). BNSF intermodal volumes peak during Q4 import season. Livestock and agricultural freight from the Fort Worth Stockyards region is strongest March through October.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,888 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 34 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.
San Francisco to Fort Worth Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from San Francisco to Fort Worth?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from San Francisco, CA to Fort Worth, TX currently range from $4,059-$5,003 for a standard dry van load over the 1,888-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $1,238-$2,005 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Request a custom quote for exact pricing based on your specific shipment details.
How long does freight take from San Francisco to Fort Worth?
Standard FTL transit from San Francisco to Fort Worth is approximately 34 hrs by truck over 1,888 miles. 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 takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for San Francisco to Fort Worth freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. San Francisco commonly ships tech hardware & servers, biotech pharmaceuticals, wine & spirits, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Fort Worth commonly receives aerospace sub-assemblies, raw metals, containerized imports (via Alliance). Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Fort Worth to San Francisco?
Yes. Fort Worth is a strong outbound market shipping F-35 fighter jet components, Bell helicopters, grain & cattle. Carriers returning from Fort Worth to San Francisco can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the San Francisco-to-Fort Worth lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from San Francisco to Fort Worth?
The San Francisco-to-Fort Worth corridor handles a diverse freight mix. San Francisco's top outbound commodities include tech hardware & servers, biotech pharmaceuticals, wine & spirits, specialty foods, medical devices, lab equipment. Fort Worth's primary inbound freight includes aerospace sub-assemblies, raw metals, containerized imports (via Alliance), consumer goods, building materials, fuel. Industries driving this lane include technology and biotechnology from San Francisco and aerospace & defense and rail logistics in Fort Worth.
Get Exact Rates for San Francisco to Fort Worth
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