Planning a shipment into or out of Phoenix? Convoy can connect you with competitive shipping rates and reliable carriers in the Phoenix area instantly.
Phoenix Freight Shipping Quotes
Freight Shipping in Phoenix
$135,878 million worth of inbound freight, $98,035 million worth of domestic freight, and $99,587 million worth of outbound freight passed through Arizona in 2017, putting the state in roughly the 50th percentile for each of these categories.
But don’t let that ranking fool you — both Arizona and Phoenix specifically are home to an active freight industry, partially thanks to location: The interstate highway system in Arizona provides a direct link between the West and East Coasts, and Phoenix sits in the middle of the market areas that stretch from Southern California to Colorado, Utah, Texas, and Mexico.
Phoenix’s freight transportation infrastructure is made up of:
- The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, where American West and American Airlines offer wide-body freight services
- Railway service provided by two transcontinental rail lines
- Over 50 motor freight companies that service the area
With Phoenix’s shorter-than-average travel times, shippers scheduling deliveries through the area may even enjoy more efficient shipments.
Major Industries and Commercial Activity in Phoenix
Tourism, manufacturing, technology, financial services and banking, and business services make up the predominant industries in Phoenix.
Tourism plays a particularly important role, with flights connecting Phoenix to 89 other cities in the U.S. as well as 17 international cities in Canada, Mexico, Sweden, Norway, Greenland, and India. Banking and financial services have also been on the rise, and multiple companies within this sector have processing operations or regional headquarters in Phoenix:
- American Express
- Bank of America
- Chase Bank
- Wells Fargo Bank
- Discover Card Services
Phoenix is also home to eight Fortune 500 companies, including Avnet, Freeport-McMoRan, Republic Services, Magellan Health, Sprouts Farmers Market, ON Semiconductor, Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, and Pinnacle West Capital.
Goods produced in Phoenix include:
- Aircraft and related parts
- Steel castings and fabrications
- Electronic equipment
- Flour
- Agricultural chemicals
- Boxes
- Aluminum products
- Mobile homes
- Radios
- Air conditioning machinery
- Beer
- Liquor
- Creamery products
- Leather goods
- Saddles
- Apparel
- Mexican and Native American novelties
Lettuce, hay, and cotton are the top agricultural commodities in the state of Arizona, and the agricultural industry in Arizona is a $9.2 billion industry.
Arizona trades its freight primarily with California, Texas, Michigan, and New Mexico.
How Weather Impacts Freight Shipping in Phoenix
People from all over the U.S. flock to Phoenix to enjoy its nice weather, so you may not think to plan ahead for weather events that could impact your shipping schedule.
Nevertheless, it’s important to remember that the area is not immune to poor weather: Maricopa County, in which Phoenix is located, has seen six weather-related disasters since 2010 (four droughts, one flood, and one severe storm), and Arizona as a whole saw 12 extreme weather events between 2007 and 2016 (six wildfires, five droughts, and one severe storm).
Phoenix’s hot desert climate and summer temperatures that top those of any major city in the U.S. make the area particularly susceptible to both wildfires and droughts. Urge carriers to plan ahead and be prepared for the heat in order to prevent delivery delays.
Freight Carriers in Phoenix
In the Phoenix area alone, Convoy’s digital freight network includes nearly 50,000 trucks serving over 500 facilities. These relationships help us to help you — not only to navigate your options, but also to find the most competitive rate and carrier for your specific needs.
The result: having peace of mind that your shipment will arrive as planned, on time, and within budget.