Freight Shipping from Austin to Dallas
Ship freight from Austin, TX to Dallas, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $510-$628, LTL from $330-$601. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
237 mi
Drive Time
4 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$510-$628
LTL Rate Est.
$330-$601
Energy & Chemicals Route
Austin → Dallas Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
153–167
running this lane
Weekly Loads
192–210
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
69/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$2–$4 one-way passing through TX. 1 typical fuel stop 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.
Austin to Dallas Freight Corridor
Austin has transformed from a state capital and college town into a technology and manufacturing powerhouse. Tesla's Gigafactory Texas in southeast Travis County produces the Model Y and Cybertruck, creating a massive new automotive freight corridor. Samsung's $17 billion semiconductor fab in Taylor and NXP's chipmaking facilities make the Austin metro one of America's most important semiconductor freight origins. The city's explosive growth — the fastest-growing large metro in the U.S. — generates enormous inbound construction and consumer goods freight.
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 Austin-to-Dallas corridor spans 237 miles via I-35, US-183, I-35E, I-30. This lane connects technology and semiconductor manufacturing freight from the Austin 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 Austin
Austin's economy is driven by technology, semiconductor manufacturing, state government, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
semiconductors (Samsung/NXP)
Tesla vehicles
computers & electronics
processed foods
technology equipment
building materials
What Dallas Receives
Dallas's technology, telecommunications, financial services sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Austin.
consumer goods
raw materials
electronic components
building materials
imported merchandise
petroleum products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Austin 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.
$510-$628 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.
$675-$865 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$747-$1,007 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.
$330-$601 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Austin to Dallas lane (237 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $510-$628 | 4 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $330-$601 | 6-8 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $770-$1,067 | 3 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Austin and Dallas that drive volume on this lane.
Tesla Gigafactory Texas
Samsung Austin Semiconductor
NXP Semiconductors
Texas Instruments (HQ)
AT&T (HQ)
Amazon DFW Fulfillment Network
Shipping Tips for Austin to Dallas
Austin Seasonal Advisory
Tesla production runs year-round but new model launches create unpredictable freight spikes. Samsung fab output is consistent but construction of new fab capacity generates enormous heavy-haul and oversize equipment moves. SXSW (March) and ACL Festival (October) create temporary local delivery surges.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 237 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
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 Austin and Dallas — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Austin, TX
- Metro Population
- 2.3M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-35, US-183, US-290
- Rail / Intermodal
- Union Pacific Austin Terminal
- Warehouse Districts
- Pflugerville/US-130 Toll, Del Valle/Tesla Gigafactory Area, Round Rock/I-35 North
“Austin's I-35 corridor is among the most congested in Texas, and carriers who schedule pickups and deliveries outside peak hours (avoiding 7-9 AM and 4-7 PM) can complete 20-30% more loads per week. Tesla's Gigafactory operates its own logistics network but overflow capacity needs create spot market opportunities.”
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 Austin 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
Austin to Dallas Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Austin to Dallas?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Austin, TX to Dallas, TX currently range $510-$628 (roughly $2.17-$2.66 per mile over 237 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $330-$601 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced 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 Austin to Dallas?
Standard FTL transit from Austin to Dallas is approximately 4 hrs by truck over 237 miles, with 1 typical fuel stop 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%.
What equipment do I need for Austin to Dallas freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Austin commonly ships semiconductors (Samsung/NXP), Tesla vehicles, computers & electronics, 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 Austin?
Strong backhaul (scored 69/100 based on Dallas's outbound commodity mix). Dallas generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Austin 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 Austin to Dallas?
The Austin-to-Dallas corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Energy & Chemicals Route. Austin's top outbound commodities include semiconductors (Samsung/NXP), Tesla vehicles, computers & electronics, processed foods, technology equipment, building materials. Dallas's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, raw materials, electronic components, building materials, imported merchandise, petroleum products. Industries driving this lane include technology and semiconductor manufacturing from Austin and technology and telecommunications in Dallas.
When are rates highest on the Austin to Dallas lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to technology and semiconductor manufacturing 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.
Can freight from Austin to Dallas be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 237 miles (4 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Austin-to-Dallas lane in one shift. Same-day delivery requires booking before 9 AM local time at origin and confirming dock availability at destination. Expedited service runs 4 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Austin to Dallas
We maintain working relationships with 153+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Austin–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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