Freight Shipping from Duluth to Houston
Ship freight from Duluth, MN to Houston, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $3,324-$4,097, LTL from $1,050-$1,714. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,546 mi
Drive Time
28 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$3,324-$4,097
LTL Rate Est.
$1,050-$1,714
Duluth to Houston Freight Corridor
Duluth-Superior is the largest port by tonnage on the Great Lakes, moving 35+ million tons of iron ore, grain, and coal annually through its harbor. The Iron Range taconite mines north of the city generate massive bulk commodity movements by rail and truck. As a remote northern market, carriers earn premium rates but face long repositioning distances to their next load.
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 Duluth-to-Houston corridor spans 1,546 miles via I-35, US-53, I-10, I-45. This lane connects iron ore mining and grain export freight from the Duluth 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 Duluth
Duluth's economy is driven by iron ore mining, grain export, timber & paper, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
iron ore pellets
grain & soybeans
taconite
timber & logs
coal
paper products
What Houston Receives
Houston's oil & gas, petrochemicals, healthcare (texas medical center) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Duluth.
crude oil
containerized imports
steel pipe
industrial chemicals
consumer goods
drilling equipment
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Duluth 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.
$3,324-$4,097 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.
$4,406-$5,643 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$4,870-$6,571 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.
$1,050-$1,714 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Duluth to Houston lane (1,546 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $3,324-$4,097 | 28 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,050-$1,714 | 30-32 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $5,025-$6,957 | 19 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,087-$2,860 | 31-33 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Duluth and Houston that drive volume on this lane.
U.S. Steel (Minntac)
Cleveland-Cliffs
CHS Inc.
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
Shipping Tips for Duluth to Houston
Duluth Seasonal Advisory
Great Lakes shipping season runs April through mid-January when the port is ice-free. Winter mine shutdowns and frozen harbor conditions from mid-January through March dramatically reduce freight volumes.
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 1,546 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 28 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.
Duluth to Houston Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Duluth to Houston?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Duluth, MN to Houston, TX currently range from $3,324-$4,097 for a standard dry van load over the 1,546-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $1,050-$1,714 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 Duluth to Houston?
Standard FTL transit from Duluth to Houston is approximately 28 hrs by truck over 1,546 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 Duluth to Houston freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Duluth commonly ships iron ore pellets, grain & soybeans, taconite, 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 Duluth?
Yes. Houston is a strong outbound market shipping refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins. Carriers returning from Houston to Duluth can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Duluth-to-Houston lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Duluth to Houston?
The Duluth-to-Houston corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Duluth's top outbound commodities include iron ore pellets, grain & soybeans, taconite, timber & logs, coal, paper products. Houston's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, steel pipe, industrial chemicals, consumer goods, drilling equipment. Industries driving this lane include iron ore mining and grain export from Duluth and oil & gas and petrochemicals in Houston.
Get Exact Rates for Duluth to Houston
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Duluth to Houston lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts