Freight Shipping from Billings to Houston
Ship freight from Billings, MT to Houston, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $3,677-$4,532, LTL from $1,141-$1,854. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,710 mi
Drive Time
31 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$3,677-$4,532
LTL Rate Est.
$1,141-$1,854
Billings to Houston 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.
Houston is the energy capital of the world, and its freight profile reflects it. The Houston Ship Channel — a 52-mile industrial corridor lined with the highest concentration of refineries and petrochemical plants on Earth — generates massive tanker, flatbed, and hazmat freight volumes. Port Houston ranks first in the U.S. for foreign waterborne tonnage and handles more export cargo than any other American port. The Texas Medical Center, the world's largest, adds a significant layer of pharmaceutical and medical equipment freight.
The Billings-to-Houston corridor spans 1,710 miles via I-90, I-94, I-10, I-45. This lane connects petroleum refining and agriculture & ranching freight from the Billings market to oil & gas and petrochemicals demand in Houston. 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 Houston Receives
Houston's oil & gas, petrochemicals, healthcare (texas medical center) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Billings.
crude oil
containerized imports
steel pipe
industrial chemicals
consumer goods
drilling equipment
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Billings and Houston, 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.
$3,677-$4,532 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.
$4,874-$6,242 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$5,387-$7,268 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.
$1,141-$1,854 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Billings to Houston lane (1,710 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $3,677-$4,532 | 31 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,141-$1,854 | 33-35 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $5,558-$7,695 | 21 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,309-$3,164 | 34-36 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Billings and Houston that drive volume on this lane.
CHS Refinery (Laurel)
ExxonMobil Billings Refinery
Western Sugar Cooperative
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
Shipping Tips for Billings to Houston
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.
Houston Seasonal Advisory
Hurricane season (June-November) is the dominant variable — storms can shut down the Ship Channel and port for days, creating massive freight backlogs and rate spikes. Petrochemical production is year-round but refinery turnarounds in spring and fall temporarily shift freight patterns.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,710 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 31 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 Houston Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Billings to Houston?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Billings, MT to Houston, TX currently range from $3,677-$4,532 for a standard dry van load over the 1,710-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $1,141-$1,854 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 Houston?
Standard FTL transit from Billings to Houston is approximately 31 hrs by truck over 1,710 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 Houston freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Billings commonly ships refined petroleum, sugar beets, grain & wheat, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Houston commonly receives crude oil, containerized imports, steel pipe. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Houston to Billings?
Yes. Houston is a strong outbound market shipping refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins. Carriers returning from Houston to Billings can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Billings-to-Houston lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Billings to Houston?
The Billings-to-Houston corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Billings's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, sugar beets, grain & wheat, livestock, bentonite clay, hay & feed. Houston's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, steel pipe, industrial chemicals, consumer goods, drilling equipment. Industries driving this lane include petroleum refining and agriculture & ranching from Billings and oil & gas and petrochemicals in Houston.
Get Exact Rates for Billings to Houston
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Billings to Houston lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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