Freight Shipping from Billings to Fort Worth
Ship freight from Billings, MT to Fort Worth, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $3,014-$3,715, LTL from $971-$1,592. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,402 mi
Drive Time
25 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$3,014-$3,715
LTL Rate Est.
$971-$1,592
Billings to Fort Worth Freight Corridor
Billings is Montana's largest city and the commercial hub of the northern Great Plains, serving as a distribution point for a vast rural territory stretching from the Dakotas to Idaho. Two petroleum refineries process Bakken crude oil, generating steady tanker freight. The surrounding agricultural economy produces wheat, sugar beets, and cattle that move by truck to processing plants and rail terminals.
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 Billings-to-Fort Worth corridor spans 1,402 miles via I-90, I-94, I-35W, I-30. This lane connects petroleum refining and agriculture & ranching freight from the Billings 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 Billings
Billings's economy is driven by petroleum refining, agriculture & ranching, energy (oil & gas), generating consistent outbound freight demand.
refined petroleum
sugar beets
grain & wheat
livestock
bentonite clay
hay & feed
What Fort Worth Receives
Fort Worth's aerospace & defense, rail logistics, ranching & agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Billings.
aerospace sub-assemblies
raw metals
containerized imports (via Alliance)
consumer goods
building materials
fuel
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Billings 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.
$3,014-$3,715 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.
$3,996-$5,117 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$4,416-$5,959 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.
$971-$1,592 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Billings to Fort Worth lane (1,402 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $3,014-$3,715 | 25 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $971-$1,592 | 27-29 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $4,557-$6,309 | 17 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,893-$2,594 | 28-30 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Billings and Fort Worth that drive volume on this lane.
CHS Refinery (Laurel)
ExxonMobil Billings Refinery
Western Sugar Cooperative
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (F-35)
Bell Textron (HQ)
BNSF Railway (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Billings to Fort Worth
Billings Seasonal Advisory
Grain harvest (August-October) creates intense demand for hopper trailers and flatbeds. Winter conditions on I-90 over the mountain passes can close roads for days, creating delivery reliability challenges from November through March.
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.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,402 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 25 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.
Billings to Fort Worth Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Billings to Fort Worth?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Billings, MT to Fort Worth, TX currently range from $3,014-$3,715 for a standard dry van load over the 1,402-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $971-$1,592 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 Billings to Fort Worth?
Standard FTL transit from Billings to Fort Worth is approximately 25 hrs by truck over 1,402 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 Billings to Fort Worth freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Billings commonly ships refined petroleum, sugar beets, grain & wheat, 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 Billings?
Yes. Fort Worth is a strong outbound market shipping F-35 fighter jet components, Bell helicopters, grain & cattle. Carriers returning from Fort Worth to Billings can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Billings-to-Fort Worth lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Billings to Fort Worth?
The Billings-to-Fort Worth corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Billings's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, sugar beets, grain & wheat, livestock, bentonite clay, hay & feed. 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 petroleum refining and agriculture & ranching from Billings and aerospace & defense and rail logistics in Fort Worth.
Get Exact Rates for Billings to Fort Worth
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Billings to Fort Worth lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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