Freight Shipping from Shreveport to Long Beach
Ship freight from Shreveport, LA to Long Beach, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $3,950-$4,868, LTL from $1,210-$1,961. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,837 mi
Drive Time
33 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$3,950-$4,868
LTL Rate Est.
$1,210-$1,961
Shreveport to Long Beach Freight Corridor
Shreveport sits at the crossroads of I-20 and I-49, serving as the commercial hub for the Ark-La-Tex region where Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas converge. The Haynesville Shale natural gas play transformed the local economy and freight market, with pipe yards and drilling supply companies generating heavy flatbed and specialized oilfield equipment loads. Barksdale Air Force Base, home to the B-52 bomber fleet and Global Strike Command, creates steady military freight demand.
The Port of Long Beach, paired with the adjacent Port of Los Angeles, forms the San Pedro Bay complex that handles nearly half of all US maritime imports. Long Beach itself has invested billions in on-dock rail infrastructure, allowing containers to move directly from ship to train without a truck dray, though the majority still leave by truck on the notoriously congested I-710. The city's zero-emission truck mandates are reshaping drayage economics as carriers invest in electric and hydrogen-powered equipment.
The Shreveport-to-Long Beach corridor spans 1,837 miles via I-20, I-49, I-710, I-405. This lane connects oil & gas services and gaming & entertainment freight from the Shreveport market to port operations and oil & petrochemicals demand in Long Beach. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Shreveport
Shreveport's economy is driven by oil & gas services, gaming & entertainment, military (barksdale afb), generating consistent outbound freight demand.
natural gas
pipe & oil field equipment
lumber & timber
paper products
military supplies
cotton
What Long Beach Receives
Long Beach's port operations, oil & petrochemicals, aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Shreveport.
containerized consumer goods
electronics
furniture
auto parts
textiles
toys & housewares
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Shreveport and Long Beach, 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.
$3,950-$4,868 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.
$5,235-$6,705 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.
$1,210-$1,961 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Shreveport to Long Beach lane (1,837 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $3,950-$4,868 | 33 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,210-$1,961 | 35-37 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $5,970-$8,267 | 22 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,480-$3,398 | 36-38 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Shreveport and Long Beach that drive volume on this lane.
Barksdale Air Force Base
Benteler Steel & Tube
Fibrebond Corporation
Virgin Orbit
Boeing C-17 (closed 2015, still parts)
Epson America
Shipping Tips for Shreveport to Long Beach
Shreveport Seasonal Advisory
Oil and gas activity fluctuates with commodity prices rather than seasons. Timber harvesting runs year-round but slows during extended wet periods. Military freight from Barksdale maintains steady cadence with fiscal year-end (September) spikes.
Long Beach Seasonal Advisory
Peak import season runs August through November for holiday retail. The "blank sailing" period during Chinese New Year (January-February) creates a 3-4 week dip before the spring restocking wave.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,837 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 33 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.
Shreveport to Long Beach Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Shreveport to Long Beach?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Shreveport, LA to Long Beach, CA currently range from $3,950-$4,868 for a standard dry van load over the 1,837-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $1,210-$1,961 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 Shreveport to Long Beach?
Standard FTL transit from Shreveport to Long Beach is approximately 33 hrs by truck over 1,837 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 Shreveport to Long Beach freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Shreveport commonly ships natural gas, pipe & oil field equipment, lumber & timber, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Long Beach commonly receives containerized consumer goods, electronics, furniture. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Long Beach to Shreveport?
Yes. Long Beach is a strong outbound market shipping transloaded imports, petroleum products, recycled materials. Carriers returning from Long Beach to Shreveport can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Shreveport-to-Long Beach lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Shreveport to Long Beach?
The Shreveport-to-Long Beach corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Shreveport's top outbound commodities include natural gas, pipe & oil field equipment, lumber & timber, paper products, military supplies, cotton. Long Beach's primary inbound freight includes containerized consumer goods, electronics, furniture, auto parts, textiles, toys & housewares. Industries driving this lane include oil & gas services and gaming & entertainment from Shreveport and port operations and oil & petrochemicals in Long Beach.
Get Exact Rates for Shreveport to Long Beach
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