Freight Shipping from Duluth to Tulsa
Ship freight from Duluth, MN to Tulsa, OK with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,129-$2,624, LTL from $745-$1,242. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
990 mi
Drive Time
18 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,129-$2,624
LTL Rate Est.
$745-$1,242
Duluth to Tulsa 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.
Tulsa is the aerospace maintenance capital of the central U.S., with American Airlines operating its largest MRO facility here — capable of servicing widebody aircraft. The Port of Catoosa, America's most inland river port, connects Tulsa to the Gulf of Mexico via the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, enabling barge-to-truck transloading for heavy industrial freight. The city's legacy oil refining infrastructure creates steady tanker and hazmat volumes.
The Duluth-to-Tulsa corridor spans 990 miles via I-35, US-53, I-44, US-75. This lane connects iron ore mining and grain export freight from the Duluth market to aerospace manufacturing and energy demand in Tulsa. 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 Tulsa Receives
Tulsa's aerospace manufacturing, energy, steel fabrication sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Duluth.
crude oil
raw steel
aircraft sub-assemblies
chemicals
electronic components
packaging materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Duluth and Tulsa, 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.
$2,129-$2,624 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.
$2,822-$3,614 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,119-$4,208 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.
$745-$1,242 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Duluth to Tulsa lane (990 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,129-$2,624 | 18 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $745-$1,242 | 20-22 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,218-$4,455 | 12 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,337-$1,832 | 21-23 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Duluth and Tulsa that drive volume on this lane.
U.S. Steel (Minntac)
Cleveland-Cliffs
CHS Inc.
American Airlines Maintenance Base
NORDAM Group
Holly Frontier Refining
Shipping Tips for Duluth to Tulsa
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.
Tulsa Seasonal Advisory
Aerospace MRO work peaks during winter when airlines pull aircraft from service for heavy maintenance checks. Refinery output is steady but turnaround seasons (spring and fall) temporarily reduce outbound tanker volumes while increasing inbound equipment freight.
Overnight Transit
This 990-mile route typically requires one overnight stop for a solo driver. Schedule pickup before noon for next-day delivery in most cases.
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 Tulsa Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Duluth to Tulsa?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Duluth, MN to Tulsa, OK currently range from $2,129-$2,624 for a standard dry van load over the 990-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $745-$1,242 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 Tulsa?
Standard FTL transit from Duluth to Tulsa is approximately 18 hrs by truck over 990 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 Tulsa freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Duluth commonly ships iron ore pellets, grain & soybeans, taconite, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Tulsa commonly receives crude oil, raw steel, aircraft sub-assemblies. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Tulsa to Duluth?
Yes. Tulsa is a strong outbound market shipping aircraft components, refined fuels, steel pipe & fittings. Carriers returning from Tulsa to Duluth can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Duluth-to-Tulsa lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Duluth to Tulsa?
The Duluth-to-Tulsa corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Duluth's top outbound commodities include iron ore pellets, grain & soybeans, taconite, timber & logs, coal, paper products. Tulsa's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, raw steel, aircraft sub-assemblies, chemicals, electronic components, packaging materials. Industries driving this lane include iron ore mining and grain export from Duluth and aerospace manufacturing and energy in Tulsa.
Get Exact Rates for Duluth to Tulsa
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Duluth to Tulsa lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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