Freight Shipping from Atlanta to Dallas
Ship freight from Atlanta, GA to Dallas, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,012-$2,480, LTL from $715-$1,196. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
936 mi
Drive Time
17 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,012-$2,480
LTL Rate Est.
$715-$1,196
Auto Manufacturing Corridor
Atlanta → Dallas Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
159–174
running this lane
Weekly Loads
233–246
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
79/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$9–$15 one-way passing through GA, TX, AR, OK. 2 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Atlanta to Dallas Freight Corridor
Atlanta is the freight crossroads of the Southeast and arguably the most balanced truck market in the country. The convergence of I-75, I-85, and I-20 creates a natural hub where carriers can find loads heading in virtually any direction within hours. UPS and The Home Depot both headquarter their logistics operations here, contributing to a freight ecosystem so dense that the metro has more warehouse space than most states. Norfolk Southern and CSX both maintain major intermodal operations, making Atlanta the rail freight capital of the Southeast.
Dallas is the economic engine of the DFW metroplex, housing more Fortune 500 corporate headquarters than any city except New York. Texas Instruments and the Telecom Corridor in Richardson generate a constant flow of high-value electronics freight, while the South Dallas warehouse district contains over 150 million square feet of distribution space. The city's central location means a truck leaving Dallas can reach 93% of the U.S. population within 48 hours.
The Atlanta-to-Dallas corridor spans 936 miles via I-75, I-85, I-35E, I-30. This lane connects logistics & distribution and film & entertainment freight from the Atlanta market to technology and telecommunications demand in Dallas. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Atlanta
Atlanta's economy is driven by logistics & distribution, film & entertainment, financial technology, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
automobiles (Kia)
poultry products
soft drinks & beverages
carpet & flooring
film equipment
packaged foods
What Dallas Receives
Dallas's technology, telecommunications, financial services sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Atlanta.
consumer goods
raw materials
electronic components
building materials
imported merchandise
petroleum products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Atlanta and Dallas, these equipment types best serve this corridor.
Dry Van (FTL)
Ideal for palletized consumer goods, electronics, packaged foods, and general merchandise. Enclosed protection from weather and theft.
$2,012-$2,480 estimated for this lane
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Required for temperature-sensitive freight including fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Maintains precise temperature control throughout transit.
$2,480-$3,136 estimated for this lane
Flatbed
Best for steel, lumber, machinery, building materials, and oversized loads that cannot be palletized or loaded through standard dock doors.
$2,668-$3,416 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,948-$3,978 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Atlanta to Dallas lane (936 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,012-$2,480 | 17 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $715-$1,196 | 19-21 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,042-$4,212 | 11 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,264-$1,732 | 20-22 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Atlanta and Dallas that drive volume on this lane.
The Home Depot (HQ)
UPS (HQ)
Coca-Cola (HQ)
Texas Instruments (HQ)
AT&T (HQ)
Amazon DFW Fulfillment Network
Shipping Tips for Atlanta to Dallas
Atlanta Seasonal Advisory
Home improvement freight (Home Depot's supply chain) peaks March through June. Carpet shipments from the Dalton mills 90 miles north run heaviest in spring and fall. Coca-Cola distribution spikes ahead of summer and holiday seasons.
Dallas Seasonal Advisory
E-commerce fulfillment peaks massively during Q4 holidays. Construction freight is year-round due to DFW's unrelenting building boom. Texas Instruments production runs consistently but new product cycles create periodic shipping surges.
Overnight Transit
This 936-mile route typically requires one overnight stop for a solo driver. Schedule pickup before noon for next-day delivery in most cases.
Book Early for Best Rates
Spot market rates fluctuate daily. Booking 3-5 days in advance typically saves 10-15% compared to same-day or next-day freight requests. For recurring shipments, ask about contract rates.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Atlanta and Dallas — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Atlanta, GA
- Metro Population
- 6.1M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.20-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-75, I-85, I-20
- Rail / Intermodal
- NS Inman Yard; CSX Fairburn Intermodal; NS Austell Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- South Atlanta/I-75 (McDonough/Locust Grove), West Atlanta/I-20 (Douglasville/Lithia Springs), Northeast/I-85 (Braselton/Jefferson)
“Atlanta's I-285 perimeter loop is the single most important freight route in the Southeast. Carriers who understand the clockwise vs. counterclockwise traffic patterns and time their crosstown runs to avoid the I-285/I-85 Spaghetti Junction can save 45-90 minutes per delivery.”
Destination
Dallas, TX
- Metro Population
- 7.6M metro (DFW)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.00-$2.35/mi
- Key Highways
- I-35E, I-30, I-635 (LBJ)
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Alliance Intermodal (Fort Worth); Union Pacific Mesquite Intermodal; BNSF Wilmer Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- South Dallas/I-20 Corridor, Mesquite/I-30 East, Garland/I-635 Northeast
“Dallas's massive inbound-to-outbound imbalance — driven by the region's explosive population growth — means carriers delivering to DFW can almost always find loads out. The challenge is finding loads that pay well enough to justify the outbound leg, especially southbound to Houston where competition is fierce.”
Return Loads from Dallas
Dallas generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Atlanta is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Dallas
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Atlanta to Dallas Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Atlanta to Dallas?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Atlanta, GA to Dallas, TX currently range $2,012-$2,480 (roughly $2.17-$2.67 per mile over 936 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $715-$1,196 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently tight on this corridor, so booking 3-5 days out locks in the best pricing. Request a custom quote for exact rates.
How long does freight take from Atlanta to Dallas?
Standard FTL transit from Atlanta to Dallas is approximately 17 hrs by truck over 936 miles, with 2 typical fuel stops along the corridor. LTL shipments add 2-4 business days due to terminal transfers. Expedited service with team drivers can reduce FTL transit by up to 40%. Intermodal rail-truck service via NS Inman Yard to BNSF Alliance Intermodal (Fort Worth) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Atlanta to Dallas freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Atlanta commonly ships automobiles (Kia), poultry products, soft drinks & beverages, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Dallas commonly receives consumer goods, raw materials, electronic components. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Dallas to Atlanta?
Strong backhaul (scored 79/100 based on Dallas's outbound commodity mix). Dallas generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Atlanta is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Dallas's top outbound commodities — electronics (Texas Instruments), telecommunications equipment, consumer packaged goods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Atlanta to Dallas?
The Atlanta-to-Dallas corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Auto Manufacturing Corridor. Atlanta's top outbound commodities include automobiles (Kia), poultry products, soft drinks & beverages, carpet & flooring, film equipment, packaged foods. Dallas's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, raw materials, electronic components, building materials, imported merchandise, petroleum products. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution and film & entertainment from Atlanta and technology and telecommunications in Dallas.
When are rates highest on the Atlanta to Dallas lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to logistics & distribution and film & entertainment cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Atlanta to Dallas
We maintain working relationships with 159+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Atlanta–Dallas corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
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