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Lane guide · Dry van · 2000 mi

Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA

Chicago → LA is one of the highest-rate long-haul lanes in the US. Strong outbound rates partly offset the steep reposition cost most carriers face out of LA. Best fit for fleets running team drivers or with a planned LA-area customer.

Mileage
2000 mi
Dominant equipment
Dry van
Origin
Chicago, IL
Destination
Los Angeles, CA

Rates & seasonality

Current rate band
$2.30–$2.90 per mile (all-in) for dry van — long-haul premium applies.
Seasonality
Peak weeks: Sep–Nov (peak season inbound to LA ports). Softest: Jan–Feb.

Return lane & brokers

Return reposition
LA → Chicago repositions at $1.40–$1.80/mi — significantly softer than outbound. Plan return loads before booking.
Top brokers on this lane
C.H. Robinson, J.B. Hunt 360, Knight-Swift, Werner, RXO, Schneider are most active.

Find live Chicago to Los Angeles loads

Install the free Numeo Spot Chrome extension on DAT and Truckstop to see live rates, broker safety scores, and one-tap negotiation drafts for every Chicago to Los Angeles load — or use Numeo Load Hub to search this lane across 15+ boards at once.

FAQ

Chicago to Los Angeles — FAQ

Still have questions? Book a demo
  • The westbound dry van band is about $2.30–$2.90 per mile all-in, carrying a long-haul premium. Rates move weekly — Numeo Spot shows the live market rate on every load so you can counter from data, not guesswork.

  • Chicago to Los Angeles is roughly 2,000 miles — a true long-haul. Numeo's profit view nets tolls, fuel, and the steep LA-area reposition cost so you can judge the round trip, not just the outbound.

  • Dry van leads. Chicago → LA is one of the highest-rate long-haul lanes in the country; strong outbound rates partly offset the soft LA reposition. Best fit for team-driver fleets or carriers with a planned LA-area customer.

  • Plan ahead — LA → Chicago repositions at roughly $1.40–$1.80/mi, well below outbound. Line up a backhaul before you commit to the westbound rate.

  • C.H. Robinson, J.B. Hunt 360, Knight-Swift, Werner, RXO, and Schneider are most active on this lane.

  • Peak weeks are Sep–Nov (peak-season inbound to the LA ports). Softest is Jan–Feb.

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