Freight Shipping from Baltimore to Little Rock
Ship freight from Baltimore, MD to Little Rock, AR with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,567-$3,164, LTL from $857-$1,415. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,194 mi
Drive Time
22 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,567-$3,164
LTL Rate Est.
$857-$1,415
Baltimore to Little Rock Freight Corridor
Baltimore's Port is the nation's top auto import hub, processing over 800,000 vehicles annually through its ro-ro terminals at Dundalk and Fairfield. Tradepoint Atlantic, the redeveloped Sparrows Point steel mill site, has become a 3,300-acre logistics campus attracting Amazon, FedEx, and Under Armour distribution operations. The I-95 corridor gives carriers direct access to the entire Northeast megalopolis.
Little Rock benefits from its central US location at the junction of I-40 and I-30, putting it within a day's drive of Dallas, Memphis, Kansas City, and St. Louis. The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System connects the metro to inland barge traffic, creating intermodal opportunities for bulk shippers. The North Little Rock rail yards are among the busiest in the mid-South, with UP and BNSF both running major classification operations.
The Baltimore-to-Little Rock corridor spans 1,194 miles via I-95, I-695, I-40, I-30. This lane connects port logistics and biotech & pharmaceuticals freight from the Baltimore market to food processing and steel manufacturing demand in Little Rock. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Baltimore
Baltimore's economy is driven by port logistics, biotech & pharmaceuticals, automotive import/export, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
coal & bulk minerals
automobiles (re-export)
poultry products
medical devices
steel products
spices & seasonings
What Little Rock Receives
Little Rock's food processing, steel manufacturing, defense sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Baltimore.
raw steel
consumer goods
agricultural chemicals
petroleum products
packaging materials
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Baltimore and Little Rock, 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.
$2,567-$3,164 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.
$3,164-$4,000 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.
$3,403-$4,358 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,761-$5,075 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Baltimore to Little Rock lane (1,194 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,567-$3,164 | 22 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $857-$1,415 | 24-26 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,881-$5,373 | 14 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,612-$2,209 | 25-27 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Baltimore and Little Rock that drive volume on this lane.
Under Armour
McCormick & Company
Amazon BWI Fulfillment
Dillard's (HQ)
Welspun Tubular
L'Oreal Manufacturing
Shipping Tips for Baltimore to Little Rock
Baltimore Seasonal Advisory
Auto import volumes peak in spring as dealers stock for summer selling season. Coal exports through Curtis Bay fluctuate with European energy prices and can spike dramatically during cold winters abroad.
Little Rock Seasonal Advisory
Rice harvest (August-October) drives bulk and hopper trailer demand. Post-Thanksgiving through Christmas, Dillard's distribution network creates retail surge freight on lanes to the Southeast and Midwest.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,194 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 22 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
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.
Baltimore to Little Rock Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Baltimore to Little Rock?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Baltimore, MD to Little Rock, AR currently range from $2,567-$3,164 for a standard dry van load over the 1,194-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $857-$1,415 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Request a custom quote for exact pricing based on your specific shipment details.
How long does freight take from Baltimore to Little Rock?
Standard FTL transit from Baltimore to Little Rock is approximately 22 hrs by truck over 1,194 miles. 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 takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Baltimore to Little Rock freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Baltimore commonly ships coal & bulk minerals, automobiles (re-export), poultry products, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Little Rock commonly receives raw steel, consumer goods, agricultural chemicals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Little Rock to Baltimore?
Yes. Little Rock is a strong outbound market shipping processed poultry, steel products, rice & grains. Carriers returning from Little Rock to Baltimore can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Baltimore-to-Little Rock lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Baltimore to Little Rock?
The Baltimore-to-Little Rock corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Baltimore's top outbound commodities include coal & bulk minerals, automobiles (re-export), poultry products, medical devices, steel products, spices & seasonings. Little Rock's primary inbound freight includes raw steel, consumer goods, agricultural chemicals, petroleum products, packaging materials, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include port logistics and biotech & pharmaceuticals from Baltimore and food processing and steel manufacturing in Little Rock.
Get Exact Rates for Baltimore to Little Rock
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