Freight Shipping from Corpus Christi to Houston
Ship freight from Corpus Christi, TX to Houston, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $512-$631, LTL from $331-$602. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
238 mi
Drive Time
4 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$512-$631
LTL Rate Est.
$331-$602
Corpus Christi to Houston Freight Corridor
Corpus Christi is America's #1 crude oil export port and a petrochemical refining powerhouse on the Texas Gulf Coast. Flint Hills Resources and Citgo operate major refineries that process Eagle Ford Shale crude into gasoline, diesel, and petrochemical feedstocks. The port handles more tonnage than most people realize — over 100 million tons annually — making it one of the largest in the U.S. by volume. NAS Corpus Christi is the Navy's primary pilot training base, adding defense logistics to the energy-dominated freight mix.
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 Corpus Christi-to-Houston corridor spans 238 miles via I-37, US-77, I-10, I-45. This lane connects oil refining & petrochemicals and port logistics freight from the Corpus Christi 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 Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi's economy is driven by oil refining & petrochemicals, port logistics, military (nas corpus christi), generating consistent outbound freight demand.
refined petroleum
crude oil (export)
petrochemicals
LNG equipment
grain exports
military equipment
What Houston Receives
Houston's oil & gas, petrochemicals, healthcare (texas medical center) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Corpus Christi.
crude oil
containerized imports
steel pipe
industrial chemicals
consumer goods
drilling equipment
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Corpus Christi 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.
$512-$631 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.
$678-$869 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$750-$1,012 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.
$331-$602 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Corpus Christi to Houston lane (238 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $512-$631 | 4 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $331-$602 | 6-8 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $774-$1,071 | 3 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Corpus Christi and Houston that drive volume on this lane.
Flint Hills Resources (Refinery)
Citgo (Refinery)
Port of Corpus Christi
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
Shipping Tips for Corpus Christi to Houston
Corpus Christi Seasonal Advisory
Refinery operations run year-round with planned turnarounds in spring and fall. Hurricane season (June-November) can disrupt port operations and create emergency freight demand. Crude oil export volumes have been steadily increasing year over year. Grain exports peak during fall harvest season.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 238 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.
Corpus Christi to Houston Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Corpus Christi to Houston?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Corpus Christi, TX to Houston, TX currently range from $512-$631 for a standard dry van load over the 238-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $331-$602 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 Corpus Christi to Houston?
Standard FTL transit from Corpus Christi to Houston is approximately 4 hrs by truck over 238 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 Corpus Christi to Houston freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Corpus Christi commonly ships refined petroleum, crude oil (export), petrochemicals, 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 Corpus Christi?
Yes. Houston is a strong outbound market shipping refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins. Carriers returning from Houston to Corpus Christi can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Corpus Christi-to-Houston lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Corpus Christi to Houston?
The Corpus Christi-to-Houston corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Corpus Christi's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, crude oil (export), petrochemicals, LNG equipment, grain exports, military equipment. Houston's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, steel pipe, industrial chemicals, consumer goods, drilling equipment. Industries driving this lane include oil refining & petrochemicals and port logistics from Corpus Christi and oil & gas and petrochemicals in Houston.
Get Exact Rates for Corpus Christi to Houston
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