For great deals on freight shipping rates and to connect instantly with trusted carriers in the state of California, Convoy is your answer. Our digital freight network can help you find quality carriers at competitive rates for loads being shipped throughout California.
California Freight Shipping Quotes
Freight Shipping in California
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that in 2017 California shipped the second highest value of freight commodities out of any U.S. state. $601,187 million worth was shipped into California, $1,336,301 million worth of freight was shipped within the state, and $758,337 million worth was moved outbound.
In 2020, California was ranked second in a list of the top 10 states for outbound reefer loads at 820,793 loads, as well as second place for outbound van loads at 1,186,350.
Los Angeles is one of the world’s leading agricultural, business, and manufacturing trade centers, and the nation’s largest port when it comes to value and tonnage of goods. Its proximity to Japan, Korea, and Taiwan and the many large commercial facilities at Los Angeles International Airport give L.A. a leg up on international trade.
North of Los Angeles, San Francisco’s man-made harbor has been an epicenter of trade and business since its early days. The Bay Area handles approximately 30% of West Coast trade, partially because of its central location as the mid-point between Seattle and Los Angeles, and Tokyo and London.
Besides its coastal border, California’s southern border makes trade with Mexico easy, and the rich raw materials found in Oregon (to the north) and Arizona and Nevada (to the east) help nurture California’s economy.
California’s major highways and interstates make shipping freight via truck efficient and straightforward, no matter if you’re moving your freight within the state or beyond California’s borders.
One thing to keep in mind when shipping freight into or out of California is that commute times throughout the state are longer than average.
Major Industries and Commercial Activity in California
Dominant industries in the state of California include agriculture, transportation equipment, electronics, machinery, biotechnology, aerospace, and tourism.
Entertainment is likely the best known industry in the Los Angeles area of California (Hollywood in particular), making southern California a major tourist destination. Tourism in L.A. is responsible for employing over 460,000 people.
California is also the homebase for a whopping 53 Fortune 500 companies, with 15 operating in the Los Angeles area. Apple, eBay, Live Nation Entertainment, and Chevron are just a few major businesses that make their headquarters in California.
The state of California produces a large amount of freight in a variety of categories, including the following:
- Agricultural and seafood products
- Aircraft and aircraft parts
- Furniture fixtures
- Ordinance missiles
- Electronic equipment
- Stone
- Textiles
- Toys
- Fabricated metals
- Rubber
- Plastic
- Petroleum
- Coal
- Paper boxes
- Confectionary
- Paints
- Lumber
- Furniture
- Matches
For freight in particular, common freight moved by trucks includes aircraft parts, vehicles, electric vehicles, diamonds, transmission devices, petroleum oils, appliances, and surgical instruments.
California’s top interstate trading partners for its freight are Texas, Arizona, Ohio, and Nevada.
How Weather Impacts Freight Shipping in California
Depending on where you are in this sprawling coastal state, you may need to slather on sunscreen or pull out your umbrella. Wherever you are, extreme weather or natural disasters in California may impact your freight shipping schedule.
Although California might not make any “top 10” lists when it comes to hurricanes or tornadoes, devastating wildfires have become an increasingly common disaster. Six out of the top 20 largest California wildfires occured in the last year alone (2020). According to Verisk’s 2019 Wildfire Risk Analysis, more than 2 million homes in California are identified as being at high or extreme risk of wildfire.
“Wildfire season” is considered to start in the summer and extend into the fall months, but the state has been drying out earlier than ever due to the climate crisis. Truckers should be aware and stay up-to-date on severe weather and wildfire risk to ensure they can avoid highway closures and stay safe and on time.
Freight Carriers in California
Since 1992, California’s most common occupation has been driving trucks, so finding the right carrier for your freight shipment should be fairly easy.
In the Los Angeles area, Convoy’s freight network includes 75,000 trucks serving over 4,000 facilities, while in San Francisco it includes over 25,000 trucks for nearly 1,000 facilities.
Whatever your freight schedule, budget, and location, Convoy will lay out your options so you can choose the right carrier for your shipment.