California’s World-Class Infrastructure: Powering Business Growth and Global Trade

California’s World-Class Infrastructure: Powering Business Growth and Global Trade

California offers a well-established and resilient infrastructure network, designed to support business success, at both the national and international levels. Whether you're expanding within the state or looking to establish operations in the world’s fifth-largest economy, California’s air, sea, rail, and road systems provide the connectivity and capacity necessary to drive growth and efficiency.

List Cards

Airports: Unrivaled Global Connectivity

Airplane landing on a runway

As the #1 state in the continental U.S. for inbound and outbound air freight flights, California’s airports are a cornerstone of global commerce. The state is home to 15 major cargo airports, ensuring seamless access to domestic and international markets.

  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) ranks as the fourth busiest cargo airport in the U.S., handling over 2.7 million metric tons of cargo in 2021.
  • Major logistics operators, including UPS, FedEx, and Amazon Air, maintain some of their largest facilities in California, ensuring rapid, reliable delivery.
  • Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Oakland International Airport (OAK) processed 890,000 and 1.4 million metric tons, respectively.
  • Sustainability remains a priority, with airports investing in hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuels to drive innovation in air freight efficiency.

Commercial Shipping Ports: America’s Trade Gateway

Commercial ship in a shipping port

With 840 miles of coastline and the most robust port network in the U.S., California serves as a primary gateway for international trade.

  • 40% of all containerized cargo entering the U.S. passes through California’s ports, along with nearly 30% of the nation’s exports.
  • The San Pedro Bay Port Complex—home to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach—is the busiest container port complex in the Western Hemisphere.
  • California leads the way in port decarbonization, deploying electric and hydrogen-powered cargo handling equipment, and shore power systems, to reduce emissions.

Rail, Highways, and Distribution: The Backbone of Logistics

Aerial image of interstate interchange with a rail road crossing above

California’s extensive freight network ensures businesses can move goods efficiently throughout North America.

  • 5,000 miles of freight rail lines support the nation’s most extensive intermodal rail system, handling 5.5 million carloads annually.
  • 2.4 billion tons of freight move through California annually, with that number projected to reach 3.6 billion tons by 2040.
  • The state’s 396,540 miles of roadways, including over 50,500 miles of highways, facilitate rapid truck transportation.
  • The state leads in warehousing, boasting 1.17 billion square feet of distribution space, including 562 million square feet in the Inland Empire alone.

Build Your Future in California

With an infrastructure system built for global commerce, California provides the connectivity, capacity, and sustainability businesses need to thrive. Whether by air, sea, rail, or road, companies operating in California gain a strategic advantage in reaching domestic and international markets efficiently and reliably.