Flatbed Trucking Services: Chicago to Los Angeles

Move flatbed freight between Chicago and Los Angeles with confidence, backed by 30+ years of specialized transportation experience. Little John Transportation Services coordinates vetted capacity, route planning, tracking, and compliance for long-haul loads crossing Midwest weather, mountain grades, desert conditions, and demanding Southern California delivery windows—so your freight arrives safely, on schedule, and accountable.

Flatbed truck hauling industrial freight on highway

Our Flatbed Trucking Services

Flatbed, heavy-haul, expedited, and specialized trucking solutions for freight moving between Chicago and Los Angeles.

Flatbed Trailers

Move standard freight on open-deck trailers with securement planning, vetted capacity, and long-haul coordination for industrial materials, machinery, building products, and equipment between Chicago and Los Angeles.

Full Truckload

Coordinate dedicated truckload capacity for shipments requiring direct routing, fewer handling points, and equipment matched to your freight’s size, weight, loading requirements, and delivery timeline.

Heavy-Haul Cargo

Transport oversize, overweight, and complex project cargo with route engineering, permitting, escorts, specialized trailers, and experienced teams supporting high-stakes freight from planning through delivery.

Expedited Flatbed

Keep urgent flatbed freight moving with direct routing, team-driver options, 24/7 dispatch, and time-critical support for production, construction, aerospace, defense, and infrastructure cargo.

Hot Shot Freight

Ship smaller urgent loads using Class 3-5 trucks, gooseneck trailers, same-day dispatch options, direct-haul priority, and real-time tracking for time-sensitive freight.

Permitting Support

Handle oversize and overweight requirements with permit coordination, route analysis, escorts, and compliance support designed to reduce delays on regulated long-haul flatbed moves.

Flatbed truck being inspected before long haul shipment

Our 5-Step Flatbed Shipping Process

Confirm Freight Requirements And Timing

We start by confirming dimensions, weight, pickup location, delivery appointment, commodity type, and securement needs. For Chicago-area origins, we also account for dock scheduling, urban access, winter weather, and plant or distribution-center requirements.

Match The Right Flatbed Equipment

Plan Route, Permits, And Compliance

Dispatch, Track, And Communicate

Confirm Delivery And Documentation

Trusted By Enterprises

Success Stories

Trusted by leading industrial, technology, energy, automotive, and infrastructure brands for complex freight moves.

"Sin duda, Jacob Goodwin ha sido uno de los agentes de Landstar más profesionales y directos con los que he tratado hasta hoy. Es muy comprensivo y honesto, y hace todo lo posible para que la tarifa sea justa. Gracias por hacer un gran trabajo, sigan así."

Jerome Washington
The Little John Difference

Why Choose Little John Transportation Services?

Choose a specialized transportation partner built for complex, accountable flatbed freight.

Experience

Thirty-plus years moving specialized freight across demanding long-haul corridors, including Chicago to Los Angeles.

Vetted Capacity

Access 65,000+ approved carriers vetted for legal, insurance, safety, and performance standards.

Lane Knowledge

Teams monitor long-haul moves through Midwest weather, mountain routes, desert heat, and LA delivery windows.

Human Support

Real people answer the phone, coordinate updates, and own shipment outcomes from pickup to delivery.

Meet The Freight Team

Experienced specialists coordinating complex long-haul flatbed freight.

Portrait of Christopher Dale, Co-Founder and CEO of Little John Transportation Services

Christopher Dale

Co-Founder & CEO

Christopher Dale is the Co-Founder and CEO of Little John Transportation Services, the specialized freight company he built from the ground up in the mid-1990s alongside his brother Steven. With over 30 years at the helm, Christopher has led the company through remarkable growth — from a small operator-focused business to a North American leader ranked #1 on the ACT Transport 50 for 16 consecutive years. His expertise spans heavy-haul, hazmat, and U.S.–México cross-border logistics, handling the complex freight most carriers refuse. Christopher's leadership philosophy centers on human-first communication, operational excellence, and safety-driven execution, values that have earned the company a 100% retention rate among its Top 100 customers and an average client tenure of 33 years.

Portrait of Steven Dale, Co-Founder and COO of Little John Transportation Services

Steven Dale

Co-Founder & COO

Steven Dale is the Co-Founder and COO of Little John Transportation Services, responsible for overseeing specialized operations and the company's vast carrier network. Since co-founding the business in the mid-1990s alongside Christopher Dale, Steven has been the operational backbone of an organization that now manages over 8,000 dedicated owner-operators and 65,000 vetted and audited carriers. He ensures that teams are strategically positioned across key logistics hubs — including Laredo, Monterrey, and Guadalajara — exactly where complex freight moves. Steven's hands-on approach and deep industry expertise have been instrumental in achieving 65 million+ miles covered annually and maintaining the company's industry-leading safety and compliance standards.

Portrait of Kathleen Stingley, Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services

Kathleen Stingley

Account Manager

Kathleen Stingley serves as an Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services, where she is dedicated to delivering the human-first service that defines the company's reputation across North America. In her role, Kathleen works directly with medium- to large-sized clients to coordinate specialized freight solutions — from heavy-haul and hazmat shipments to complex cross-border logistics. She serves as a reliable, knowledgeable point of contact who ensures every load is planned, tracked, and executed with precision. Kathleen embodies the company's commitment to treating clients as partners, providing responsive communication and hands-on support that has contributed to Little John's 100% Top 100 customer retention rate and decades-long client relationships.

Portrait of Brandon Potter, Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services

Brandon Potter

Account Manager

Brandon Potter is an Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services, bringing a client-focused approach to one of North America's most trusted specialized freight carriers. Brandon works closely with clients across a wide range of industries — including energy, industrial machinery, automotive, and chemical sectors — to develop customized transportation solutions for complex, high-stakes freight. He serves as a hands-on partner from initial quote through final delivery, ensuring clear communication, compliance documentation, and seamless coordination across Little John's expansive carrier network. Brandon's commitment to responsive, people-driven service reflects the company's core values and its reputation for moving the cargo that most carriers refuse.

Portrait of Todd Wojtkowski, Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services

Todd Wojtkowski

Account Manager

Todd Wojtkowski is an Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services, playing a key role in supporting the company's mission to deliver operational excellence and human-first service to every client. Todd manages freight relationships across a broad spectrum of specialized transportation needs, including heavy-haul, hazmat, and cross-border shipments throughout the U.S., México, and Canada. He works as a direct partner to clients, ensuring loads are matched with the right equipment, dispatched by experienced teams, and tracked through to delivery. Todd's dedication to proactive communication and audit-ready documentation helps reinforce Little John's standing as the most trusted partner for specialized freight in North America.

Portrait of Robert Wood, Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services

Robert Wood

Account Manager

Robert Wood serves as an Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services, where he is committed to delivering the responsive, detail-oriented service that sets the company apart in the specialized freight industry. Robert supports clients across sectors such as oil and gas, military and defense, pharmaceutical, and retail, helping them navigate the complexities of heavy-haul, hazmat, and time-sensitive freight requirements. He takes ownership of every load from planning to final delivery, coordinating with Little John's extensive network of owner-operators and vetted carriers to ensure seamless execution. Robert's dedication to building long-term partnerships reflects the company's core value of treating every client relationship with the care and accountability of a true business partner.

Portrait of Justin James, Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services

Justin James

Account Manager

Justin James is an Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services, contributing to the company's legacy of specialized, safety-driven freight solutions across North America. Justin works hands-on with clients to manage complex shipping requirements, including oversized loads, hazardous materials, and cross-border freight between the United States and México. He serves as a reliable point of contact who ensures every shipment is handled with the precision and accountability that Little John's clients have come to expect over 30+ years in business. Justin's customer-first mindset and thorough understanding of the company's logistics capabilities help clients move their most demanding cargo with confidence and compliance.

Portrait of Ashlyn Dale, Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services

Ashlyn Dale

Account Manager

Ashlyn Dale is an Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services, upholding the family legacy of hands-on, human-first service that has defined the company since its founding in the mid-1990s. Ashlyn works directly with clients to coordinate specialized freight solutions, ensuring that every shipment — whether heavy-haul, hazmat, or cross-border — is executed with the operational discipline and personal accountability that Little John is known for. She brings a client-centered approach to every interaction, serving as a trusted partner who provides clear, timely communication and end-to-end load management. Ashlyn's commitment to excellence helps maintain the long-standing client relationships that have made Little John the #1 specialized carrier in North America.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to ship from Chicago to California?

Typical truck transit from Chicago to California is often three to five days, depending on pickup timing, final destination, driver availability, weather, and whether the load requires permits or escorts. A Chicago to Los Angeles flatbed move usually follows major long-haul corridors, but winter conditions, mountain passes, congestion, and appointment windows can affect delivery timing.

What types of flatbed freight can move from Chicago to Los Angeles?

How is flatbed trucking priced on this lane?

Can you handle oversize or overweight loads?

What equipment is available for flatbed shipments?

How do you secure flatbed freight for long-haul transport?

Do you provide tracking during transit?

Can I schedule an expedited flatbed shipment?

Still Have Flatbed Shipping Questions?

Get clear answers before your next Chicago to LA flatbed shipment.

Service Areas Covered

Coordinated flatbed capacity across major North American lanes, including Chicago to Los Angeles long-haul freight.

Need Capacity On This Corridor?

Share your origin, destination, freight details, and timing requirements.

Ranked & Recognized

Awards and Recognition

ACT Transport 50 award badge

ACT Transport 50

Recognized as North America’s leading specialized carrier.

IC Cranes Specialized Transport award badge

IC Cranes Ranking

Global recognition for cranes and specialized transport.

TT Top 100 Flatbed Heavy award badge

TT Top 100

Top-ranked flatbed and heavy transport provider.

Request A Chicago To Los Angeles Flatbed Quote

Tell us your pickup, delivery, dimensions, weight, timing, and securement needs. A transportation specialist will review your lane, identify appropriate flatbed capacity, and help coordinate next steps with clear communication from quote through delivery.

Contact Us Today

For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at +1 (479) 264-6501. You can also send us a quick email at quotes@ljtsi.com.