LA-Long Beach Truck Dwell Stays Strong, Rail Times Climb

Key Details Container dwell times at the San Pedro Bay port complex remained stable in April 2026, with truck cargo averaging 2.59 days - essentially flat compared to March's 2.61 days. This marks the 15th consecutive month that truck dwell has stayed under the critical three-day threshold, signaling consistent fluidity in gate operations and drayage availability. Why It Matters For drayage operators, these sustained short dwell times mean reliable cargo flow and minimal terminal congestion at America's busiest container gateway. The stability provides predictability for scheduling and capacity planning amid an otherwise volatile trucking market dealing with post-pandemic capacity exits and increased federal enforcement. Rail Performance Meanwhile, rail-destined containers averaged 5.06 days in April, up from 4.41 days in March and slightly above last year's 4.72 days. Rising intermodal volumes suggest shippers may be shifting loads to rail as truck rates climb, though rail dwell times remain elevated compared to late 2025 levels. Bottom Line PMSA officials called the 15-month truck dwell achievement a milestone worth noting. Despite broader market turbulence affecting long-haul rates and carrier capacity, local drayage operations at LA-Long Beach continue delivering consistent performance for supply chain partners.