1435 miles · Est. 21.0 hours · Avg $2.60/mile · Gross $3,731
Lane Overview
1,435
Miles
$2.60
Avg rate/mile
$3,731
Avg gross rate
moderate
Competition
Dallas to Los Angeles on I-20 west to I-10 west is one of the premier long-haul lanes in the country — 1,435 miles at $2.50–$2.70/mile. Consumer goods from DFW distribution centers, automotive parts from Texas Tier 1 suppliers, and industrial equipment head west toward LA's port export facilities and California's massive consumer market. Port of LA's container offload generates reciprocal import freight, making this a true two-way lane with excellent economics.
This is a 21-hour drive — plan for two mandatory rest stops. Midland/Odessa and El Paso are the logical break points with good truck stop infrastructure. I-10 west through the Trans-Pecos is remote; fuel planning matters. No significant tolls on this entire run, which is a major advantage over Northeast equivalents. California's I-10 approach through Indio has CHP commercial vehicle enforcement — CARB compliance is mandatory for California entry. Return loads LA to Dallas (Lane 9) run at $2.55–$2.75/mile, making the round trip financially compelling.
Driver Tip
At 21.0 hours drive time, HOS planning is critical. Use our HOS Calculator to map your 70-hour cycle before dispatch.
Multi-Day Costs
Fuel Estimate
$532
Based on avg diesel price
Toll Estimate
$5
Varies by route and state
Net After Costs
$3,194
Before your other costs
What Moves on This Lane
Common Equipment
Driver's Complete Guide
Dallas to Los Angeles is the southern long haul — 1,435 miles of straightforward interstate with no tolls, good fuel infrastructure, and a rate that justifies the three-day commitment. I've dispatched this run as a round-trip play paired with the Port of LA return (Lane 9), and the economics when you plan both directions together are as good as any long-haul lane in the country.
DFW is one of the largest distribution markets in the US — Amazon's North Texas fulfillment complex, Walmart's Alliance area distribution center, and Home Depot's regional DC all push westbound freight toward California's enormous consumer market. Toyota's San Antonio facility and the broader Texas automotive supply chain send parts and components west toward California assembly operations. Industrial equipment from Texas manufacturers heads to LA-area construction and manufacturing sectors. Export-bound goods staged in DFW for eventual Port of LA containerization complete the westbound picture.
I-20 west from Dallas through Abilene and Midland is the first 330 miles — open Texas highway with 75mph speed limits in some sections. Midland is the natural first fuel stop and 10-hour break point for two-day scheduling. I-20 connects to I-10 west at Pecos — from there it's Trans-Pecos country through Fort Stockton, Van Horn, and El Paso. The stretch from Fort Stockton to El Paso is remote: 180 miles with minimal services and significant crosswind exposure. Fuel in Fort Stockton before that stretch. El Paso is the second natural staging point for a required break. West of El Paso you're on I-10 through New Mexico and Arizona — Tucson at the 600-mile mark from El Paso, then Blythe at the California border. CHP scale at Blythe is active for California-entering commercial vehicles. CARB compliance is mandatory from the border. Palm Springs wind advisory zone through the San Gorgonio Pass on I-10 can affect high-sided trailers — 50mph gusts are possible. No tolls anywhere on this routing.
The no-toll aspect of this corridor is a genuine advantage over eastern long-haul routes. At $2.55–$2.70/mile for 1,435 miles, the gross runs $3,659–$3,875. Fuel at $532 and no tolls leaves solid net margin. Planning the return as LA to Dallas (Lane 9) at $2.55–$2.75/mile makes the round-trip economics hard to beat. Direct shipper relationships with DFW distributors who ship to California regularly are the best source of consistent volume.
Port of LA import freight heading to DFW is the premier return load — Asian manufactured goods, electronics, and consumer products off-loaded from containerships. These loads command $2.60–$2.75/mile because Port of LA freight is time-sensitive and consistently available.
How do I plan the two required rest stops on this run?
Optimal staging: depart Dallas early morning, run to Midland for a fuel/meal break (330 miles), then continue to El Paso for a full 10-hour break (425 more miles). Day two, El Paso to Los Angeles is 760 miles — schedule your 30-minute break in Tucson or Blythe. This gives you a clean two-day run with mandatory compliance built in.
What CARB compliance requirements apply entering California?
Your truck must meet California's Truck and Bus Regulation standards — specific model year and engine emissions requirements. CHP at Blythe checks for CARB compliance on commercial vehicles entering California. Non-compliant trucks can be refused entry or fined. Confirm your equipment status at CARB's website before running into California.
Is there reliable fuel infrastructure through the Trans-Pecos section?
Fort Stockton at the I-10/US-285 junction is the critical fuel point between Midland and El Paso. Van Horn has fuel but limited truck parking. Don't try to run El Paso to Fort Stockton without knowing your fuel level — it's 180 miles of remote highway and running out of fuel in that stretch is an expensive problem.
Return Freight
Los Angeles to Dallas
1435 miles · $2.65/mile avg
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