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Los Angeles, California Freight Shipping Quotes
Freight Shipping in Los Angeles
In 2017, California had the second highest value of inbound freight shipments ($601,187 million) and domestic freight shipments ($1,336,301 million) of any U.S. state and the highest value of outbound freight shipments ($758,337 million). California was also the state with the second most outbound dry van and reefer loads in 2020. (In all of these instances, California was second to Texas.)
Unsurprisingly, Los Angeles plays a critical role in California’s — and the nation’s — freight shipping.
For example, multiple major transcontinental rail systems begin/end in Los Angeles, and all major interstate trucking companies have large facilities in the L.A. metro, making it easier to ship freight across the U.S. Los Angeles is even home to the country’s largest customs district.
L.A.’s coastal location as well as the substantial Port of Los Angeles — one of the busiest ports in the U.S. — also make it an ideal gateway into and out of the U.S. and connection to the rest of the country and the world.
Of course, Los Angeles is also known for its traffic. With longer travel times in L.A. than you’ll find elsewhere in the U.S., you may want to plan your delivery schedule accordingly.
Major Industries and Commercial Activity in Los Angeles
Major industries in Los Angeles include manufacturing, retail, and banking and finance. Other industries of note in this area include:
- Health services
- High-technology research and development
- Education
- Architecture
- Engineering
- Residential and commercial large construction
The largest major manufacturing center in the U.S., Los Angeles produces large quantities of apparel, electronic and computer products, transportation products, fabricated metal products, food products, and furniture.
Within the U.S., L.A. produces more automobiles than any other city except Detroit. General Motors, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford Motor Company, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Toyota, Volvo, and Volkswagen all have design centers located in the city.
Los Angeles is also a major producer of agricultural and seafood products, specifically, with the produce season in California heaviest from May to August, during which time carriers may have lower capacity. Given the numerous vineyards in the state, the principal crop requiring transportation during this season is grapes.
California’s top interstate trading partners for its freight include Texas, Arizona, Ohio, and Nevada.
How Weather Impacts Freight Shipping in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is known for its good weather, and it’s unlikely that poor weather conditions will impact your delivery times.
However, keep in mind that wildfire season, which runs from summer to early fall, is getting worse and beginning earlier each year. Carriers should stay up to date with any current wildfires and be aware of potential road closures.
Santa Ana windstorms occur several times a year between the spring and fall and sometimes cause serious damage, such as uprooting trees. Tornadoes, thunderstorms, and even rain are rare, but occasional heavy, brief storms are not unheard of, during which time landslides and debris flows that block roads are possible.
Freight Carriers in Los Angeles
Likely due to California’s substantial freight activity, truck driving is the most common job in the state. This means that you typically won’t have a problem when it comes to finding a carrier for your freight shipment.
Convoy’s digital freight network, including more than 75,000 trucks servicing more than 4,000 facilities in Los Angeles, makes us the perfect solution to help you navigate these options and find the best carrier for your needs and budget.