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Long Beach Trucking Companies

Long Beach sits beside the busiest port complex in the country, with freeways fanning out to warehouses across Southern California. HotShotTrucking.com arranges hot shots and trucks for freight moving from the port area and beyond. The right truck depends on the load and the route.

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Expeditor at his desk tracking a shipment
In short

A hub beside the ports

Long Beach freight runs from the ports to the whole region.

Long Beach trucking Port city hub

Trucking in Long Beach

Long Beach is one of the most important freight hubs in North America. Imported goods arrive at the ports by the shipload and move by truck to warehouses, stores, plants and job sites across Southern California and the West. Local manufacturers, refineries, aerospace firms and construction sites add their own freight, much of it urgent.

Many shippers search for Long Beach trucking companies when a load needs to move soon on its own truck. A dedicated truck is booked for one load, collects it at pickup and drives straight to the receiver, without stops at terminals. The truck is sized to the freight, from a Sprinter van for a few boxes to a flatbed for steel or machinery.

HotShotTrucking.com arranges hot shots and dedicated trucks for Long Beach freight, matching the truck to the load, the route and the deadline.

Globe with transport routes
Why it matters

Freight starts at the ports

Imports move from the terminals to warehouses, then onward by truck.

The ports The ports

The ports

The neighboring ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles together form the busiest container port complex in the country. Containers are unloaded from ships, released once the importer's customs broker has cleared them, and trucked out of the terminals by specialized container trucks to nearby yards and warehouses.

Once goods are out of the container, they move on standard trucks. Pallets go out on dry vans and straight trucks, steel and machinery on flatbeds, and urgent parts on hot shots and vans. That is where many Long Beach trucking companies work, carrying freight from warehouses near the port to customers across the region.

HotShotTrucking.com arranges trucks for freight once it is out of the container, from urgent parts to full loads, rather than moving containers from the terminals.

Truck choice

Hot shot, straight truck or flatbed in Long Beach

A hot shot, a straight truck and a full flatbed each suit a different Long Beach load. HotShotTrucking.com arranges all three; read across to compare.

Hot shot Up to 16,000 lbs, HotShotTrucking.com Straight truck Up to 9,000 lbs Full flatbed Up to 48,000 lbs
Heavy equipment to job sites Yes: Built for it No: Enclosed box Sometimes: Needs road access
Enclosed freight No: Open deck Yes: Sealed box No: Open deck
Liftgate deliveries No: Forklift or crane Yes: Often fitted No: Forklift or crane
Very heavy loads No: Over its limit No: Over its limit Yes: Built for it
Quick to dispatch Yes: Fast Yes: Fast Sometimes: Larger truck
Best when Heavy and urgent Pallets, no dock Very heavy, full load

Hot shot

Up to 16,000 lbs, HotShotTrucking.com
Heavy equipment to job sites
Yes: Built for it
Enclosed freight
No: Open deck
Liftgate deliveries
No: Forklift or crane
Very heavy loads
No: Over its limit
Quick to dispatch
Yes: Fast
Best when
Heavy and urgent

Straight truck

Up to 9,000 lbs
Heavy equipment to job sites
No: Enclosed box
Enclosed freight
Yes: Sealed box
Liftgate deliveries
Yes: Often fitted
Very heavy loads
No: Over its limit
Quick to dispatch
Yes: Fast
Best when
Pallets, no dock

Full flatbed

Up to 48,000 lbs
Heavy equipment to job sites
Sometimes: Needs road access
Enclosed freight
No: Open deck
Liftgate deliveries
No: Forklift or crane
Very heavy loads
Yes: Built for it
Quick to dispatch
Sometimes: Larger truck
Best when
Very heavy, full load

Published capacities; confirm fit for your load.

Aerial view of a truck driving on the road
Freight routes Long Beach corridors

Long Beach freight routes

Several major freeways fan out from the Long Beach port area. I-710 runs north from the port toward warehouses and the rest of the Los Angeles basin. I-405 crosses the area east and west, I-110 runs north to downtown Los Angeles, and I-5 runs north toward the Central Valley and south toward San Diego. SR-91 and SR-60 carry freight east to the Inland Empire.

These freeways carry some of the heaviest truck traffic in the country, and rush hour, port activity and construction can all slow a run. Pickups and deliveries are often timed to avoid the worst congestion.

Long Beach trucking companies run freight on each of these corridors, and HotShotTrucking.com arranges trucks on all of them and plans each run around the route, the traffic and the delivery window.

Long Beach trucks

6 trucks for Long Beach freight ranked by capacity

This ranking orders common dedicated trucks for Long Beach freight from the most capacity to the least, using published figures. HotShotTrucking.com arranges each one; re-sort by load or cost.

Sort by
  1. Best for the heaviest loads

    Full flatbed

    A tractor with an open trailer for full loads of steel, lumber and machinery. It suits construction and farm equipment.

    GoodHighest payload WatchLarger truck to schedule
    ~48,000 lbs
    max load
    Steel and machinery
    best use
    $$$$$
    relative cost
  2. Best for full enclosed loads

    53 ft dry van

    The standard enclosed trailer for full loads of boxed or palletized freight. It suits runs to the Inland Empire and beyond.

    GoodHigh capacity WatchNeeds a dock
    ~42,000 lbs
    max load
    Distribution runs
    best use
    $$$$$
    relative cost
  3. Best for heavy urgent parts

    Hot shot

    A heavy-duty pickup with a flatbed trailer, deck up to about 40 ft, for one load. It reaches plants and job sites quickly.

    GoodFast for heavy freight WatchOpen deck
    ~16,000 lbs
    max load
    Plants and job sites
    best use
    $$$$$
    relative cost
  4. Best for sites without docks

    Straight truck

    A single-unit truck with an enclosed box, often with a liftgate. It suits stores, offices and hospitals.

    GoodLiftgate delivery WatchLess room than a trailer
    ~9,000 lbs
    max load
    City deliveries
    best use
    $$$$$
    relative cost
  5. Best for a few pallets

    Box truck

    A smaller box truck for a few pallets or bulky cartons. It handles city streets and small loading areas.

    GoodCity-friendly WatchLimited weight
    ~5,000 lbs
    max load
    Small pallet loads
    best use
    $$$$$
    relative cost
  6. Best for urgent small parts

    Sprinter van

    A cargo van for boxes and a pallet or two. It is the quickest dedicated truck for urgent runs around Southern California.

    GoodFast and economical WatchSmallest capacity
    ~3,000 lbs
    max load
    Urgent parts
    best use
    $$$$$
    relative cost
5.0 from 1,600+ reviews on

Freight to move from Long Beach? Get a trucking quote.

Share the load, both addresses and the deadline, and we will match a truck to the run.

  • Worked with Todd and he made it happen. Called at 9:30am for a hotshot from Dallas to Waller TX. It was offloaded at 4:30pm. Great job!

    Kollin

  • John Mark was a pleasure to work with and kept me updated on the driver's progress as it was an urgent and timely delivery we needed 11 hours away.

    Kenneth

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Step 1 of 3Origin and Destination Info
Straight truck (box truck)
The rule

The warehouses are inland

Much port freight is stored in the Inland Empire before delivery.

Inland Empire The Inland Empire

The Inland Empire

Much of the freight that arrives at the ports ends up in the Inland Empire, about an hour or more east of Long Beach depending on traffic. Cities such as Ontario, Fontana, Riverside and San Bernardino hold one of the largest concentrations of warehouses and distribution centers in the country.

Freight moves between the port area and these warehouses every day, and from there to stores, e-commerce customers and destinations across the West. When a shipment is urgent, such as stock for a store that has run short or a part for a stopped line, a dedicated truck can carry it straight from one site to the other.

Peak import seasons fill both the warehouses and the trucks, so booking earlier helps. Like other Long Beach trucking companies, HotShotTrucking.com arranges trucks between Long Beach, the Inland Empire and the rest of Southern California.

A Long Beach load

A Long Beach load, step by step

A typical Long Beach load follows six steps, and HotShotTrucking.com arranges each one, from the first details to signed proof of delivery.

  1. 01

    Share load and site

    The shipper shares the freight, its weight and size, both addresses, site access details, how it loads and the deadline.

    • Site details
    • Deadline
  2. 02

    Match the truck

    A truck is matched to the load and the route, whether it runs across the port area, to the Inland Empire or beyond.

    • Truck size
  3. 03

    Book the carrier

    A carrier is booked for the load, and the pickup time is confirmed with the shipper.

    • Pickup time
  4. 04

    Load and secure

    The freight is loaded and secured, with tarps where needed, and the driver signs the bill of lading before leaving.

    • Securement
  5. 05

    Run direct

    The truck drives straight to the receiver, timed around traffic and weather, with updates along the way.

    • Updates
  6. 06

    Deliver with proof

    The freight is unloaded and the receiver signs for it, and proof of delivery closes the load.

    • Proof of delivery
Construction workers on site
Industries Local industries

Local industries

Long Beach and the surrounding South Bay are home to a wide mix of industries. Aerospace companies build and maintain aircraft and parts, refineries and energy firms run plants that need equipment and parts quickly, and manufacturers produce everything from metal goods to food products. Retail distribution, construction and the port's own operations add a steady stream of freight.

Many of these loads are heavy or urgent. A failed pump at a refinery, a part for an aircraft or a shipment of steel for a job site cannot wait for a shared truck. Long Beach trucking companies often send hot shots, straight trucks and flatbeds for them.

Port congestion and peak seasons can tighten truck capacity across the area, so early booking and complete load details help. When comparing Long Beach trucking companies for this freight, look for one that offers several truck types. HotShotTrucking.com arranges trucks for Long Beach industries, from urgent parts to full loads.

Freight by the numbers

Port freight by the numbers

73%

of US freight value moved by truck in 20241

What it means for you

Trucks carry most of the value of US freight, including the goods that leave the ports every day. The right truck keeps that freight moving.

54.8 million tons

of freight worth $68.4 billion moved across the US every day2

An enormous amount of freight moves across the US every day, much of it starting at ports.

56.4%

of US freight tonnage travels less than 50 miles3

Most freight travels short distances, like runs from the port area to nearby warehouses.

$11.5 billion

in trucking productivity lost to driver detention in 20234

Trucks lose time waiting at docks, so ready freight and set appointments keep loads moving.

Sources

  1. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Transportation Statistics Annual Report 2025 (Table 13), 2024
  2. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, TSAR 2025, 2024
  3. U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Commodity Flow Survey, 2022
  4. American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), 2023
Expeditor Andy
The upshot

Details book the right truck

Size, access and deadline decide which truck is sent.

Booking Booking a truck

Booking a Long Beach truck

A complete request books the right truck the first time. Have ready what the freight is, the number of pieces, the weight and dimensions of each, how it will be loaded and unloaded, the pickup and delivery addresses, site access details and the deadline. Mention anything that changes the truck, such as a site without a dock, a port-area yard or a job site.

Published capacities give a starting point: a Sprinter van carries up to 3,000 lbs, a box truck up to 5,000 lbs, a straight truck up to 9,000 lbs, a hot shot up to 16,000 lbs, a 53 ft dry van up to 42,000 lbs and a flatbed up to 48,000 lbs.

Drivers looking for work can find openings on our careers page. For shippers comparing Long Beach trucking companies, HotShotTrucking.com arranges the truck that fits the load.

Freight News
Import volumes

Extended peak import season winds down

Container imports are easing after an unusually long peak, with August the busiest month of the year.

Agriculture, farm fields and crops
At a glance · October 2026
2.25 million
TEUs of imports forecast for October
8.5%
October import rise year over year

What is happening

According to FreightWaves, the Global Port Tracker forecasts October imports at 2.25 million TEUs, up 8.5% year over year.

Source: FreightWaves, October 9, 2026

Why it is happening

Retailers brought goods in early, making August the busiest month at 2.3 million TEUs, and November is forecast to fall to 2 million.

What it means for you

Imports are still high. HotShotTrucking.com arranges trucks to move port freight from Long Beach quickly.

Trucks and trailers

The right truck for your freight

Hot shot truck5 / 6

Hot shot truck side view
32–40 ft42,000 lbs
Hot shot truck rear view
102 inWide
120 inHigh
Deck length32–40 ft
Payload42,000 lbs
Deck width102 in
Load height120 in
Best for

Construction, oilfield and farm equipment, machinery

About hot shot trucks

A hot shot pairs a heavy-duty pickup with a gooseneck flatbed trailer. It is the fast choice for equipment and machinery that need an open deck but not a full semi. Ramps at the back let rolling equipment drive straight on.

Price a hot shot truck

Send the pickup, delivery and weight, and we'll match the truck to your load.

Talk to dispatch(800) 604-2511 Get a hot shot quote
Working with us

How HotShotTrucking.com moves Long Beach freight

A load goes right when one person owns it, the option fits and the updates are honest.

Expeditor Steve

“I had a single point of contact assigned to our shipment that was fantastic on keeping me updated every step of the way.”

Pamela · Trustpilot
HowWe Work

One Person, Start to Finish

When you call HotShotTrucking.com, you reach a real person right away, and that same person owns your load from the first call to final delivery. You never have to explain it twice.

Your dispatcher books it, follows it the whole way and is the person you call next time.

  • A direct number for your dispatcher
  • Updates at pickup and delivery
  • The same person on your next load
The expediting team at the airport

“I called up at 7:30 pm... one that was secured cancelled at the end of the day. Todd quoted three shipments on the spot... The last shipment was picked up at Midnight.”

Susan · Trustpilot
WhatWe Provide

The Right Mode, Every Time

Every load is different, and the right solution is the one that actually fits. We arrange hot shots, Sprinter vans, box trucks, straight trucks, 53 ft dry vans and flatbeds across Southern California and beyond.

We match the load to the option it needs, so you never pay for capacity or speed you do not use.

  • Each option weighed against your deadline
  • A truck that fits the route and the site
  • A bigger truck when the load needs it
Expeditor Chris at the airport

“True to word. They did exactly what they said they would do.”

Dan · Trustpilot
WhoWe Are

Honest With You, Always

Urgent freight is stressful enough without wondering whether you have the full story. We give you the price before you commit, the timeline as it actually stands, and if something goes wrong, you hear it from us first.

That includes telling you when another truck fits your load better.

  • Clear quotes before you commit
  • Real updates, including the bad news
  • We tell you when another truck fits

Long Beach Trucking Questions Answered

How do I find a trucking company in Long Beach?

Start by deciding what the load needs: the size and weight of the freight, whether it must be enclosed, how it will be loaded and unloaded and the deadline. Then contact Long Beach trucking companies with those details and compare what they offer. A provider that arranges several truck types can match the truck to the load instead of fitting the load to one truck. If the freight is still in a container at the port, a container trucking company is needed first. Sharing complete details when booking helps avoid delays.

What trucks are available for Long Beach freight?

Long Beach shippers can book a range of dedicated trucks. A Sprinter van carries up to 3,000 lbs, a box truck up to 5,000 lbs and a straight truck up to 9,000 lbs, often with a liftgate. A hot shot carries up to 16,000 lbs on an open deck of up to about 40 ft. For full loads, a 53 ft dry van carries up to 42,000 lbs and a flatbed up to 48,000 lbs. The right truck depends on the weight, size and type of freight.

How does freight get from the Port of Long Beach to a warehouse?

After a ship is unloaded and the importer's customs broker has cleared the container, specialized container trucks collect it from the terminal and carry it to a nearby yard or warehouse, where it is unloaded. From there, the goods move on standard trucks, such as dry vans, straight trucks and flatbeds, to warehouses in the Inland Empire, stores, plants or other customers. Urgent items can go straight to the receiver on a dedicated truck. Asking these questions before booking avoids surprises later. Planning ahead makes the delivery go more smoothly.

What routes do Long Beach trucks use?

Long Beach trucks mainly use I-710 north from the port area, I-405 east and west, I-110 north to downtown Los Angeles and I-5 north and south. SR-91 and SR-60 carry freight east to the Inland Empire. These freeways carry some of the heaviest truck traffic in the country, so many Long Beach trucking companies time pickups and deliveries to avoid rush hour and the busiest port hours where possible. Planning ahead makes the delivery go more smoothly. Sharing complete details when booking helps avoid delays.

Can a truck move freight to the Inland Empire the same day?

Often, yes. The Inland Empire is usually within an hour or two of Long Beach, depending on traffic, so a dedicated truck booked in the morning can often deliver the same day. The truck drives straight from pickup to delivery without stopping at terminals. Booking early, having the freight ready when the truck arrives and confirming the receiver's hours give a same day run to the Inland Empire the best chance. Sharing complete details when booking helps avoid delays. A provider can confirm what is possible for a specific shipment.

Does port congestion affect trucking in Long Beach?

It can. During busy import periods, the ports, nearby yards and the freeways around them can become congested, which slows container pickups and nearby truck traffic. Warehouses also fill up, and truck capacity across Southern California can tighten. Shippers can reduce delays by booking early, keeping freight ready at pickup, setting delivery appointments and allowing extra time when imports are at their peak. A provider can confirm what is possible for a specific shipment. Asking these questions before booking avoids surprises later. Planning ahead makes the delivery go more smoothly.

Can a hot shot move heavy equipment from Long Beach?

Yes. Many Long Beach trucking companies offer hot shots, which carry up to 16,000 lbs on an open deck of up to about 40 ft, which suits heavy equipment, machinery, pipe and steel that need to move quickly but do not need a full tractor-trailer. Hot shots are often used to rush parts to refineries, plants and construction sites around Long Beach and across Southern California. Freight on an open deck must be secured properly and may need tarps. Asking these questions before booking avoids surprises later. Planning ahead makes the delivery go more smoothly.

What industries use trucking in Long Beach?

Many industries rely on Long Beach trucking companies. Importers and retailers move goods from the ports to warehouses and stores. Aerospace companies ship aircraft parts, refineries and energy firms need equipment and parts, and manufacturers ship finished goods and receive materials. Construction sites need steel, lumber and equipment. Many of these loads are heavy or urgent, which is why hot shots, straight trucks and flatbeds are common. Planning ahead makes the delivery go more smoothly. Sharing complete details when booking helps avoid delays. A provider can confirm what is possible for a specific shipment.

When does a dedicated truck make sense?

A dedicated truck makes sense when freight is urgent, when it is heavy or bulky, when it is fragile or valuable and should not be handled along the way, or when the receiver needs a specific type of truck, such as one with a liftgate. Because the truck carries only one shipper's freight and drives direct, there are no transfers or stops at terminals, which saves time and reduces the risk of damage on runs around Long Beach and beyond. Sharing complete details when booking helps avoid delays.

What do I need for a Long Beach trucking quote?

When asking Long Beach trucking companies for a quote, have ready what the freight is, the number of pieces, the weight and dimensions of each, whether it can be stacked, how it will be loaded and unloaded, the pickup and delivery addresses, site access details, contacts at each end and the deadline. Mention anything unusual, such as a port-area yard, a job site without a dock or hazardous materials. Complete details help match the right truck. A provider can confirm what is possible for a specific shipment.

Get a quote

Long Beach freight to move? Get a quote now

Enter your pickup, delivery and date, and we will match a truck to the load.

5.0 from 1,600+ reviews on

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Step 1 of 3Origin and Destination Info

At 5pm the I Sent info for our equipment to be moved the next day and Todd made it happen. Had a truck that morning and delivered that night 500 miles away! Thanks for the excellent work

Michelle · Verified review on Trustpilot

From critical shipments to ongoing support, see why businesses continue to choose HotShotTrucking.com

Amazon logo
PERSONALIZED SUPPORT
Andy Ernst was able to assist our organization (Procurement Operations, Amazon.com) fully. He was polite and helpful in all ways and worked with our team to ensure our load was delivered safely and without issue.
Procurement Operations
Amazon.com
Charter Industrial Supply logo
SPEEDY DELIVERIES
Frank's quickness to reply and quote. Management gave me a very tight window, which I thought may be impossible. Though other options quoted were a little lower, they did not get me their quote in the time I needed. Thank you, Frank!
Charter Industrial Supply
Kelly Insdustrial Coatings logo
NEXT-DAY SERVICES
Great service and quick responses. I called to see if I could get next-day service and was promptly helped by Frank. He answered all my questions and got the ball rolling quickly. The order arrived on time.
Kelly Industrial Coatings
Agile Courts logo
NATIONAL REACH
Great Service. Fast, efficient, informative and got the job done ahead of time! Moved my shipment from Pennsylvania to Miami in a little over 24 hours with less than 12 hours notice.
VP Finance
Agile Courts
Pella logo
STREAMLINED ENGAGEMENT
Extremely easy process. Customer service was very responsive and happy to help. I made one call and sent one email; they took care of everything else.
Dirk Baugher
Pella Corporation
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