What are current drayage rates at LA/Long Beach?
Drayage rate index data shows typical container moves ranging from roughly $350 to $900, with the lower end reflecting lightweight containers on short hauls during periods of high equipment availability, and the higher end reflecting heavier loads, longer distances, or equipment-constrained periods.
| Fee / Metric | Current Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Average truck turn time | ~55 minutes | Includes queue + terminal dwell |
| Average queue time | ~13 minutes | Per terminal operations reporting |
| Typical drayage move cost | $350-$900 | Varies by weight, distance, equipment availability |
| Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) | $38.78/TEU, $77.56/FEU | Applies to non-exempt loaded import/export containers |
| Clean Truck Fund Rate | $10/loaded TEU, $20/larger container | Per-container surcharge |
- Truck turn times remain well under peak-season norms, per terminal operations reporting
- No dwell fees or stacking limits are currently active at either port
- TMF and Clean Truck Fund Rate continue to apply to non-exempt loaded containers regardless of congestion conditions
Why does this matter given the rate increases on the ocean side?
While transpacific spot rates have been climbing, the inland/drayage leg at LA/Long Beach has not shown a corresponding congestion-driven cost increase, per current terminal operations data. This means the largest near-term cost variable for West Coast-bound cargo is currently on the ocean leg rather than the drayage leg, based on available terminal metrics.
Could drayage conditions change as peak season volume arrives?
Terminal operations reporting reflects current conditions and does not represent a forward guarantee. Historically, turn times and dwell at LA/Long Beach have moved with import volume surges; if the rate increases described in current transpacific market trackers translate into higher booked volume arriving in July-August, drayage conditions could tighten from the current baseline.
What Shippers Should Do
- Use the current $350-$900 drayage range as a planning baseline, but build in contingency for peak-season volume increases that could push turn times and costs higher.
- Confirm TMF and Clean Truck Fund Rate are correctly itemized on drayage invoices — these are fixed per-container fees independent of congestion conditions.
- Re-verify your equipment's exemption status for TMF/Clean Truck Fund Rate if you operate older or non-compliant trucks, as non-exempt rates apply per load.
- Monitor terminal turn-time data through ANKPOST Pulse for early signals of congestion building as peak-season bookings convert to vessel arrivals.