Freight Shipping from Chicago to Evansville
Ship freight from Chicago, IL to Evansville, IN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $755-$930, LTL from $393-$698. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
351 mi
Drive Time
6 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$755-$930
LTL Rate Est.
$393-$698
Chicago to Evansville Freight Corridor
Chicago is the freight capital of North America, full stop. One-third of all US rail freight passes through the metro, and the I-55/I-80 corridor south of the city contains the highest concentration of intermodal facilities and mega-distribution centers in the world. BNSF's Logistics Park Chicago in Elwood alone processes over 2 million container lifts annually. The I-294 corridor warehouses from Bedford Park to Elk Grove Village process more cross-dock volume than any other US metro, making Chicago the pivot point for transcontinental freight in every direction.
Evansville anchors the tri-state corner where Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois meet, and its freight economy revolves around Toyota's massive Princeton plant that builds Highlanders and Sequoias for the North American market. Berry Global, the world's largest plastics packaging company, is headquartered here and operates multiple manufacturing facilities generating steady dry van volume. The Port of Indiana-Mount Vernon on the Ohio River adds barge-to-truck intermodal capabilities for bulk freight.
The Chicago-to-Evansville corridor spans 351 miles via I-90, I-94, I-69, US-41. This lane connects logistics & intermodal and food manufacturing freight from the Chicago market to automotive manufacturing and plastics & packaging demand in Evansville. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Chicago
Chicago's economy is driven by logistics & intermodal, food manufacturing, financial services, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
processed foods
steel products
pharmaceuticals
industrial machinery
electronics
printed materials
What Evansville Receives
Evansville's automotive manufacturing, plastics & packaging, pharmaceutical sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Chicago.
automotive components
plastic resins
aluminum ingots
steel coils
glass
electronic assemblies
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Chicago and Evansville, 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.
$755-$930 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.
$930-$1,176 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.
$1,000-$1,281 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.
$393-$698 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Chicago to Evansville lane (351 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $755-$930 | 6 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $393-$698 | 8-10 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,141-$1,580 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Chicago and Evansville that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (15+ facilities)
Walmart (Elwood mega-DC)
Abbott Laboratories
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana
Berry Global (HQ)
Alcoa Warrick Operations
Shipping Tips for Chicago to Evansville
Chicago Seasonal Advisory
Holiday import season (September-December) pushes intermodal yards to capacity. Agricultural export season (October-January) adds grain and soybean volume. January-February is the slowest period, with spot rates often dropping 15-20% below annual averages.
Evansville Seasonal Advisory
Toyota production runs 50 weeks per year with brief shutdowns in July and late December. Aluminum smelter output is year-round. Ohio River barge traffic slows during low-water periods in late summer and early fall.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 351 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.
Chicago to Evansville Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Chicago to Evansville?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Chicago, IL to Evansville, IN currently range from $755-$930 for a standard dry van load over the 351-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $393-$698 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 Chicago to Evansville?
Standard FTL transit from Chicago to Evansville is approximately 6 hrs by truck over 351 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%.
What equipment do I need for Chicago to Evansville freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Chicago commonly ships processed foods, steel products, pharmaceuticals, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Evansville commonly receives automotive components, plastic resins, aluminum ingots. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Evansville to Chicago?
Yes. Evansville is a strong outbound market shipping Toyota SUVs, plastic packaging, aluminum products. Carriers returning from Evansville to Chicago can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Chicago-to-Evansville lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Chicago to Evansville?
The Chicago-to-Evansville corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Chicago's top outbound commodities include processed foods, steel products, pharmaceuticals, industrial machinery, electronics, printed materials. Evansville's primary inbound freight includes automotive components, plastic resins, aluminum ingots, steel coils, glass, electronic assemblies. Industries driving this lane include logistics & intermodal and food manufacturing from Chicago and automotive manufacturing and plastics & packaging in Evansville.
Get Exact Rates for Chicago to Evansville
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