Freight Shipping from Billings to Kansas City
Ship freight from Billings, MT to Kansas City, MO with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,363-$2,912, LTL from $804-$1,334. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,099 mi
Drive Time
20 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,363-$2,912
LTL Rate Est.
$804-$1,334
Billings to Kansas City 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.
Kansas City is America's freight crossroads, sitting at the intersection of I-70 and I-35 — the two busiest coast-to-coast and border-to-border truck corridors. BNSF's Logistics Park Kansas City in Edgerton is one of the largest inland intermodal facilities in North America, processing 500,000+ containers annually. The metro area has more rail miles per capita than any other U.S. city, reflecting its historical role as the nation's rail hub.
The Billings-to-Kansas City corridor spans 1,099 miles via I-90, I-94, I-70, I-35. This lane connects petroleum refining and agriculture & ranching freight from the Billings market to logistics & intermodal and animal health demand in Kansas City. 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 Kansas City Receives
Kansas City's logistics & intermodal, animal health, automotive manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Billings.
intermodal containers
auto parts
consumer goods
raw grain
packaging materials
imported merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Billings and Kansas City, 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.
$2,363-$2,912 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,462-$4,671 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.
$804-$1,334 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Billings to Kansas City lane (1,099 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,363-$2,912 | 20 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $804-$1,334 | 22-24 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,572-$4,946 | 13 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,484-$2,033 | 23-25 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Billings and Kansas City that drive volume on this lane.
CHS Refinery (Laurel)
ExxonMobil Billings Refinery
Western Sugar Cooperative
General Motors (Fairfax)
Ford (Claycomo)
Cerner Corporation
Shipping Tips for Billings to Kansas City
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.
Kansas City Seasonal Advisory
Grain harvest (September-November) and cattle shipping create fall capacity crunches along I-70 and I-35. Hallmark's holiday card production drives a September-October shipping peak for lightweight, high-volume loads.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,099 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 20 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 Kansas City Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Billings to Kansas City?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Billings, MT to Kansas City, MO currently range from $2,363-$2,912 for a standard dry van load over the 1,099-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $804-$1,334 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 Kansas City?
Standard FTL transit from Billings to Kansas City is approximately 20 hrs by truck over 1,099 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 Kansas City freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Billings commonly ships refined petroleum, sugar beets, grain & wheat, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Kansas City commonly receives intermodal containers, auto parts, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Kansas City to Billings?
Yes. Kansas City is a strong outbound market shipping automotive assemblies (GM/Ford), animal health products, grain & feed. Carriers returning from Kansas City to Billings can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Billings-to-Kansas City lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Billings to Kansas City?
The Billings-to-Kansas City corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Billings's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, sugar beets, grain & wheat, livestock, bentonite clay, hay & feed. Kansas City's primary inbound freight includes intermodal containers, auto parts, consumer goods, raw grain, packaging materials, imported merchandise. Industries driving this lane include petroleum refining and agriculture & ranching from Billings and logistics & intermodal and animal health in Kansas City.
Get Exact Rates for Billings to Kansas City
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Billings to Kansas City lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts