Lane · REEF · Oct 2026

Johnston, IA to San Diego, CA reefer rate

$5,738reefer

−0.3% from last month

Per mile: $3.42
Distance: 1,676 mi
Typical range: $4,992–$6,484
Transit: 4 days

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Reefer · estimated all-in cost per load · monthly

Johnston to San Diego price history

3 months: +1.8%
1 year: +35.7%
5 years: +3.3%

Cost breakdown

Linehaul: $4,020
Fuel: $1,718
All-in estimate: $5,738

Return trip

San Diego → Johnston$6,976

This direction runs 18% below the return trip. Leaving IA prices above the national average and arriving in CA prices below it.

Johnston to San Diego by truck type

Estimated cost from Johnston, IA to San Diego, CA by truck type
Truck type	Estimate	Per mile	Typical range
53' dry van	$4,816	$2.87	$4,287 – $5,346
53' refrigerated	$5,738	$3.42	$4,992 – $6,484
48' flatbed	$5,791	$3.46	$4,981 – $6,602
Step deck	$6,305	$3.76	$5,296 – $7,314
Power only	$4,271	$2.55	$3,716 – $4,826
Hotshot	$3,224	$1.92	$2,676 – $3,772
26' box truck	$3,153	$1.88	$2,680 – $3,626
Sprinter van	$1,927	$1.15	$1,618 – $2,235

Live market check

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The index is an estimate. For a price you can act on, ask connected freight providers for a live 53' dry van rate, or send the load details and get quoted for any truck type.

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More lanes from Johnston

53' refrigerated lanes from Johnston, IA
To	Miles	Estimate	Per mile	Typical range	Transit
New York, NY	1,214 mi	$5,859	$4.83	$5,097 – $6,620	3 d
Los Angeles, CA	1,700 mi	$5,809	$3.42	$5,054 – $6,564	4 d
Chicago, IL	367 mi	$1,825	$4.97	$1,587 – $2,062	1 d
Houston, TX	977 mi	$3,789	$3.88	$3,297 – $4,282	2 d
Phoenix, AZ	1,354 mi	$5,276	$3.90	$4,590 – $5,962	3 d
Philadelphia, PA	1,152 mi	$5,339	$4.63	$4,645 – $6,033	3 d
San Antonio, TX	1,046 mi	$4,001	$3.83	$3,481 – $4,521	2 d
Dallas, TX	752 mi	$3,099	$4.12	$2,696 – $3,502	2 d

More lanes into San Diego

53' refrigerated lanes into San Diego, CA
From	Miles	Estimate	Per mile	Typical range	Transit
New York, NY	2,864 mi	$8,374	$2.92	$7,286 – $9,463	6 d
Los Angeles, CA	131 mi	$1,393	$10.64	$1,212 – $1,575	1 d
Chicago, IL	2,034 mi	$7,417	$3.65	$6,453 – $8,381	4 d
Houston, TX	1,532 mi	$4,520	$2.95	$3,933 – $5,108	3 d
Phoenix, AZ	350 mi	$1,252	$3.58	$1,089 – $1,415	1 d
Philadelphia, PA	2,791 mi	$7,263	$2.60	$6,319 – $8,207	6 d
San Antonio, TX	1,325 mi	$3,998	$3.02	$3,478 – $4,517	3 d
Dallas, TX	1,394 mi	$4,172	$2.99	$3,629 – $4,714	3 d

About this lane

How much does it cost to ship a truckload from Johnston, IA to San Diego, CA?

A 53' refrigerated from Johnston, IA to San Diego, CA is estimated at $5,738 all-in in October 2026, or $3.42 a mile over about 1,676 mi. Quotes typically land between $4,992 and $6,484.

How far is Johnston, IA from San Diego, CA by truck?

About 1,676 mi by road, estimated from the straight-line distance. A solo driver covers it in roughly 4 days of transit.

How much of the price is fuel?

About $1,718 of the $5,738 estimate is fuel at the current national diesel price; the remaining $4,020 is linehaul.

Is it cheaper to ship from San Diego, CA to Johnston, IA?

The reverse direction is estimated at $6,976, which makes Johnston, IA to San Diego, CA 18% cheaper. Direction matters because trucks are scarcer leaving some markets than others.

Figures are estimates for a standard full load. Get a firm quote for this lane →