689 miles · Est. 10.2 hours · Avg $2.70/mile · Gross $1,861
Lane Overview
689
Miles
$2.70
Avg rate/mile
$1,861
Avg gross rate
easy
Competition
Salt Lake City to Los Angeles on I-15 south through Las Vegas is an underserved long-haul corridor where demand consistently exceeds supply — an easy-rated lane at $2.60–$2.80/mile for 689 miles. Utah's growing tech sector — Adobe, eBay, and multiple major tech companies operate from Salt Lake — ships technology goods and consumer products west toward LA's port and consumer market. Mining equipment from Utah's active extraction industries adds flatbed volume. Shippers compete for your trailer on this corridor.
I-15 south through Provo, Cedar City, and St. George crosses the Mojave Desert after Las Vegas. St. George, UT to Las Vegas is a remote 120-mile stretch — fuel up in St. George. Las Vegas is a natural mid-point for fuel and a 30-minute break. California entry at the Nevada border on I-15 near Barstow has a CHP commercial vehicle inspection station — CARB compliance required. I-15 south into the LA basin hits significant congestion near the I-10 interchange. Summer desert heat means pre-trip tire and cooling system inspections are non-negotiable. Return loads LA to Salt Lake City are available at $2.55–$2.70/mile.
Driver Tip
Use our Load Profitability Calculator to check if this lane covers your operating costs before accepting a load.
Trip Costs
Fuel Estimate
$255
Based on avg diesel price
Toll Estimate
$5
Varies by route and state
Net After Costs
$1,601
Before your other costs
What Moves on This Lane
Common Equipment
Driver's Complete Guide
Salt Lake City to Los Angeles is the final lane in this database and it's one of my favorites to recommend to drivers who want to step up to long-haul without going coast-to-coast. 689 miles, easy-rated, and demand consistently exceeds carrier supply on this corridor. Adobe, eBay, and a growing cluster of major tech companies in the Wasatch Front have turned Salt Lake into a genuine freight-generating hub. The desert run through Las Vegas is demanding on equipment, but drivers who respect the terrain and the heat operate this profitably.
Utah's tech sector is the defining freight characteristic of this lane. Adobe has its second-largest campus in Salt Lake City. eBay, Overstock.com (now Bed Bath & Beyond), Ancestry.com, and multiple data center operators all run significant SLC operations. Technology goods and consumer products from these operations head southwest to LA's consumer market and port for export. Mining equipment from Utah's active copper, gold, and coal extraction operations adds flatbed volume on the specialty freight side — the Kennecott copper mine near Magna, UT is one of the largest open-pit mines in the world and a consistent equipment shipper. CARB compliance is mandatory once you cross into California.
I-15 south from Salt Lake City through Provo and into the canyon country of southern Utah. Cedar City at mile 250 is your first major fuel stop — fill up there. St. George at mile 300 is your last Utah fuel stop before Nevada. The St. George to Las Vegas stretch through the Virgin River Gorge is visually stunning and also the most challenging section of this run — narrow canyon walls, significant grades, and limited emergency response if something goes wrong. Inspect your equipment thoroughly before entering the gorge. Las Vegas at mile 420 is your primary rest and fuel stop — get fuel, take your mandatory break, and check tire pressure (desert heat inflates tires). Nevada is fast, flat desert from Las Vegas to the California border near Baker. The Mojave Preserve stretch has limited services. California entry: CHP inspection station near Yermo/Barstow on I-15 — CARB compliance verified here. I-15 into the LA basin merges with I-10 near Ontario — the I-15/I-10 interchange is the congestion point for LA approach.
At $2.60–$2.80/mile for 689 miles on an easy-rated lane, this is a strong run. On 689 miles at the midpoint rate, you're grossing around $1,792. Fuel cost is approximately $255. Net margin is excellent compared to competitive corridors at similar rates. The easy rating means shippers are competing for your capacity — don't take anything below $2.60/mile on this lane.
LA to Salt Lake City northbound is available at $2.55–$2.70/mile — Port of LA import goods heading inland and consumer merchandise going north. CARB compliance remains required on the California portion of the return. Book the return before you deliver in LA to minimize dwell time.
How severe is the summer heat issue between Las Vegas and Barstow?
It's serious. Temperatures in the Mojave Desert between Baker and Barstow regularly exceed 120°F in July and August. Tire blowouts from heat buildup are the primary equipment risk. Check tire pressure in Las Vegas (don't exceed max cold inflation rating when tires are hot), ensure your cooling system is in peak condition, and carry extra coolant. If your truck starts running hot, pull over immediately.
What's the Virgin River Gorge section, and do I need to worry about it?
The Virgin River Gorge on I-15 between St. George, UT and Mesquite, NV is about 22 miles of canyon-cut highway with significant grades and curves. It's not as severe as the Grapevine in California, but it requires full attention and appropriate downhill speed management on heavy loads. Check UDOT for any closures — rock slides do occur.
How do I handle CARB compliance if I'm based outside California?
Your engine must be 2010 model year or newer (meeting US EPA 2010 emissions standards) or equipped with a verified CARB-approved diesel particulate filter (DPF). Check the California ARB TRUCRS database using your VIN before committing to California loads. CHP at the I-15 inspection station near Barstow actively checks commercial vehicle CARB compliance.
Dispatch Service
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