Freight Shipping from Atlanta to Fort Worth
Ship freight from Atlanta, GA to Fort Worth, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,098-$2,586, LTL from $737-$1,230. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
976 mi
Drive Time
18 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,098-$2,586
LTL Rate Est.
$737-$1,230
Consumer Goods Corridor
Atlanta → Fort Worth Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
164–186
running this lane
Weekly Loads
227–240
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
68/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$9–$16 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 Fort Worth 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.
Fort Worth is the aerospace and rail logistics capital of Texas. Lockheed Martin's mile-long factory produces every F-35 Lightning II fighter jet sold worldwide, generating classified, oversize, and high-security freight that requires specialized carriers. BNSF Railway's headquarters and Alliance Texas — the nation's largest inland port — create one of the most sophisticated intermodal logistics ecosystems in North America. Bell Textron builds V-22 Ospreys and commercial helicopters, adding to the aerospace freight base.
The Atlanta-to-Fort Worth corridor spans 976 miles via I-20. This lane connects logistics & distribution and film & entertainment freight from the Atlanta market to aerospace & defense and rail logistics demand in Fort Worth. 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 Fort Worth Receives
Fort Worth's aerospace & defense, rail logistics, ranching & agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Atlanta.
aerospace sub-assemblies
raw metals
containerized imports (via Alliance)
consumer goods
building materials
fuel
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Atlanta and Fort Worth, 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.
$2,098-$2,586 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.
$2,586-$3,270 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.
$2,782-$3,562 estimated for this lane
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
Cost-effective for shipments under 10,000 lbs or fewer than 10 pallets. Shared trailer space with other shippers reduces cost for smaller loads.
$737-$1,230 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Atlanta to Fort Worth lane (976 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,098-$2,586 | 18 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $737-$1,230 | 20-22 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,172-$4,392 | 12 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,318-$1,806 | 21-23 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Atlanta and Fort Worth that drive volume on this lane.
The Home Depot (HQ)
UPS (HQ)
Coca-Cola (HQ)
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (F-35)
Bell Textron (HQ)
BNSF Railway (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Atlanta to Fort Worth
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.
Fort Worth Seasonal Advisory
Defense freight follows federal fiscal year-end spending (September rush). BNSF intermodal volumes peak during Q4 import season. Livestock and agricultural freight from the Fort Worth Stockyards region is strongest March through October.
Overnight Transit
This 976-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 Fort Worth — 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
Fort Worth, TX
- Metro Population
- 7.6M metro (DFW)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-35W, I-30, I-20
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Alliance Intermodal Facility; Alliance Texas Logistics Hub
- Warehouse Districts
- AllianceTexas/I-35W North, South Fort Worth/I-20 Corridor, Haslet/Alliance Gateway
“AllianceTexas is not just an intermodal facility — it's a 27,000-acre master-planned logistics campus with its own airport, rail yard, and 50+ million square feet of warehouse space. Carriers who operate within the Alliance ecosystem can string together multiple loads without leaving the campus.”
Return Loads from Fort Worth
Fort Worth generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Atlanta is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Fort Worth
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 Fort Worth Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Atlanta to Fort Worth?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Atlanta, GA to Fort Worth, TX currently range $2,098-$2,586 (roughly $2.16-$2.67 per mile over 976 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $737-$1,230 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 Fort Worth?
Standard FTL transit from Atlanta to Fort Worth is approximately 18 hrs by truck over 976 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 Facility takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Atlanta to Fort Worth 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. Fort Worth commonly receives aerospace sub-assemblies, raw metals, containerized imports (via Alliance). Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Fort Worth to Atlanta?
Strong backhaul (scored 68/100 based on Fort Worth's outbound commodity mix). Fort Worth generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Atlanta is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Fort Worth's top outbound commodities — F-35 fighter jet components, Bell helicopters, grain & cattle — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Atlanta to Fort Worth?
The Atlanta-to-Fort Worth corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Atlanta's top outbound commodities include automobiles (Kia), poultry products, soft drinks & beverages, carpet & flooring, film equipment, packaged foods. Fort Worth's primary inbound freight includes aerospace sub-assemblies, raw metals, containerized imports (via Alliance), consumer goods, building materials, fuel. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution and film & entertainment from Atlanta and aerospace & defense and rail logistics in Fort Worth.
When are rates highest on the Atlanta to Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth
We maintain working relationships with 164+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Atlanta–Fort Worth corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts