Freight Shipping from Dallas to Tampa
Ship freight from Dallas, TX to Tampa, FL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,563-$3,159, LTL from $856-$1,413. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,192 mi
Drive Time
22 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,563-$3,159
LTL Rate Est.
$856-$1,413
Dallas to Tampa Freight Corridor
Dallas is the economic engine of the DFW metroplex, housing more Fortune 500 corporate headquarters than any city except New York. Texas Instruments and the Telecom Corridor in Richardson generate a constant flow of high-value electronics freight, while the South Dallas warehouse district contains over 150 million square feet of distribution space. The city's central location means a truck leaving Dallas can reach 93% of the U.S. population within 48 hours.
Tampa Bay's freight economy revolves around three pillars: Mosaic's massive Bone Valley phosphate mining operations that generate millions of tons of bulk freight annually, the Port Tampa Bay petroleum and bulk cargo terminals, and the rapidly growing I-4 corridor distribution zone stretching east toward Orlando and Lakeland. The region's population growth consistently ranks among the fastest in the US, fueling construction material demand that keeps flatbed carriers busy year-round.
The Dallas-to-Tampa corridor spans 1,192 miles via I-35E, I-30, I-75, I-4. This lane connects technology and telecommunications freight from the Dallas market to healthcare and financial services demand in Tampa. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Dallas
Dallas's economy is driven by technology, telecommunications, financial services, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
electronics (Texas Instruments)
telecommunications equipment
consumer packaged goods
processed foods
defense systems
e-commerce shipments
What Tampa Receives
Tampa's healthcare, financial services, tourism sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Dallas.
construction materials
consumer goods
petroleum products
food & beverage
automotive vehicles
industrial equipment
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Dallas and Tampa, 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.
$2,563-$3,159 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.
$3,397-$4,351 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,755-$5,066 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.
$856-$1,413 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Dallas to Tampa lane (1,192 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,563-$3,159 | 22 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $856-$1,413 | 24-26 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,874-$5,364 | 14 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,609-$2,205 | 25-27 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Dallas and Tampa that drive volume on this lane.
Texas Instruments (HQ)
AT&T (HQ)
Amazon DFW Fulfillment Network
Mosaic Company (HQ)
Amazon (3 facilities)
Jabil Inc. (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Dallas to Tampa
Dallas Seasonal Advisory
E-commerce fulfillment peaks massively during Q4 holidays. Construction freight is year-round due to DFW's unrelenting building boom. Texas Instruments production runs consistently but new product cycles create periodic shipping surges.
Tampa Seasonal Advisory
Citrus season (November-May) drives reefer demand from groves in Polk and Highlands counties. Strawberry harvest from Plant City peaks January through March. Hurricane season can disrupt port operations and trigger emergency supply freight.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,192 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 22 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.
Dallas to Tampa Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Dallas to Tampa?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Dallas, TX to Tampa, FL currently range from $2,563-$3,159 for a standard dry van load over the 1,192-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $856-$1,413 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 Dallas to Tampa?
Standard FTL transit from Dallas to Tampa is approximately 22 hrs by truck over 1,192 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 Dallas to Tampa freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Dallas commonly ships electronics (Texas Instruments), telecommunications equipment, consumer packaged goods, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Tampa commonly receives construction materials, consumer goods, petroleum products. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Tampa to Dallas?
Yes. Tampa is a strong outbound market shipping phosphate rock & fertilizer, citrus products, medical devices. Carriers returning from Tampa to Dallas can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Dallas-to-Tampa lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Dallas to Tampa?
The Dallas-to-Tampa corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Dallas's top outbound commodities include electronics (Texas Instruments), telecommunications equipment, consumer packaged goods, processed foods, defense systems, e-commerce shipments. Tampa's primary inbound freight includes construction materials, consumer goods, petroleum products, food & beverage, automotive vehicles, industrial equipment. Industries driving this lane include technology and telecommunications from Dallas and healthcare and financial services in Tampa.
Get Exact Rates for Dallas to Tampa
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