Convoy is the way to go if you’re looking for competitive freight shipping rates and experienced carriers in the San Francisco area. Convoy can instantly connect you with thousands of carriers and give you quotes for loads being shipped to or from San Francisco, California.
San Francisco, California Freight Shipping Quotes
Freight Shipping in San Francisco
In 2017, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that California shipped the second highest value of freight commodities nationwide. $601,187 million worth of freight was shipped into the state, $1,336,301 million worth was shipped within California, and $758,337 million was moved outbound.
A few years later, in 2020, California ranked second of all U.S. states for the most outbound reefer loads at 820,793 loads and the most outbound van loads at 1,186,350.
The Port of San Francisco is a man-made harbor that has been at the center of business since its creation in 1863. The San Francisco area processes around 30% of trade moving through the West Coast because of its ideal geographical location between Seattle and Los Angeles, as well as Tokyo and London internationally. The San Francisco International Airport handles around 600,000 tons of cargo annually, and is served by all major air freight companies.
California is a major player in moving freight, with San Francisco Bay and its deep water ports being a hub of coastal trade activity, and its major interstates and highways allowing easy and efficient access for truckers moving freight inland.
Keep in mind when scheduling your freight shipment into or out of California that commute times throughout the state are longer than the national average.
Major Industries and Commercial Activity in San Francisco
Professional, scientific, and technical services make up the dominant sector in the San Francisco area. Other prominent industries in San Francisco include financial institutions, biotechnology, academic research, computers, electronic equipment, new media, medical science, and apparel.
The state of California is also the headquarters for 53 Fortune 500 companies, and 38 of those are in the Bay Area. Levi Strauss, Intuit, eBay, Gap, and Netflix are just a few of the major companies operating out of San Francisco.
The San Francisco area produces a large amount of freight in a variety of categories, including:
- Paper boxes
- Confectionary
- Paints
- Chemicals
- Glass
- Leather
- Lumber
- Textiles
- Steel
- Clothing
- Bags
- Furniture
- Auto parts
- Electric machinery
- Matches
- Clay
- Rubber products
- Tools
- Beverages
California’s top interstate trading partners are Texas, Arizona, Ohio, and Nevada.
How Weather Impacts Freight Shipping in San Francisco
When scheduling out your freight route, making note of any chance for extreme weather can help you avoid delays and increased costs.
For the San Francisco area, where the weather is typically mild, things like fog, rain, and high wind can cause low visibility for aircraft — creating a delay in the chain of transportation — and dangerous road conditions for truckers.
Freight Carriers in San Francisco
Truck driving has been California’s most common occupation since 1992, which means you typically won’t have much trouble finding the best carrier for your shipment moving through the state.
With over 25,000 trucks serving nearly 1,000 facilities, Convoy makes it easy to schedule your shipment in the San Francisco area.