Freight Shipping from Fargo to Joliet
Ship freight from Fargo, ND to Joliet, IL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,587-$1,956, LTL from $606-$1,027. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
738 mi
Drive Time
13 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,587-$1,956
LTL Rate Est.
$606-$1,027
Fargo to Joliet Freight Corridor
Fargo-Moorhead straddles the North Dakota-Minnesota border at the crossroads of I-94 and I-29, serving as the primary freight hub for the northern Great Plains agricultural economy. Sugar beet, wheat, and sunflower processing facilities generate steady outbound volume, while Bobcat's manufacturing operations produce compact equipment shipped nationwide on flatbed trailers.
Joliet and its surrounding Will County communities sit atop the most concentrated intermodal and distribution infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere. The CenterPoint Intermodal Center, spanning over 6,000 acres, combines UP's Global IV facility with over 30 million square feet of distribution space occupied by Walmart, Amazon, IKEA, and dozens of other major shippers. This is where West Coast container imports transition from rail to truck for final-mile delivery across the Midwest and Northeast.
The Fargo-to-Joliet corridor spans 738 miles via I-94, I-29, I-80, I-55. This lane connects agriculture and technology freight from the Fargo market to intermodal logistics and warehousing & distribution demand in Joliet. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Fargo
Fargo's economy is driven by agriculture, technology, food processing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
grain & wheat
sugar beets
sunflower seeds
farm equipment
processed foods
potatoes
What Joliet Receives
Joliet's intermodal logistics, warehousing & distribution, e-commerce fulfillment sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Fargo.
containerized imports (from West Coast)
raw materials
food products
retail merchandise
industrial supplies
automotive components
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Fargo and Joliet, 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.
$1,587-$1,956 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.
$1,956-$2,472 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.
$606-$1,027 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Fargo to Joliet lane (738 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,587-$1,956 | 13 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $606-$1,027 | 15-17 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,399-$3,321 | 9 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $996-$1,365 | 16-18 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Fargo and Joliet that drive volume on this lane.
Bobcat (Doosan)
Microsoft (data center)
American Crystal Sugar
Walmart (Elwood Mega-DC)
Amazon (CenterPoint)
IKEA Distribution
Shipping Tips for Fargo to Joliet
Fargo Seasonal Advisory
Grain harvest (August-October) and sugar beet harvest (October-November) dominate the freight calendar. Winter conditions from November through March are extreme — I-29 and I-94 closures from blizzards are common, and carriers must budget for cold-weather delays.
Joliet Seasonal Advisory
Q4 holiday freight creates near-gridlock conditions on I-80 and I-55 as intermodal volume peaks. January sees a dramatic drop-off. Spring produce season restocks create a secondary peak in March-April.
Overnight Transit
This 738-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.
Fargo to Joliet Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Fargo to Joliet?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Fargo, ND to Joliet, IL currently range from $1,587-$1,956 for a standard dry van load over the 738-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $606-$1,027 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 Fargo to Joliet?
Standard FTL transit from Fargo to Joliet is approximately 13 hrs by truck over 738 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 Fargo to Joliet freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Fargo commonly ships grain & wheat, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Joliet commonly receives containerized imports (from West Coast), raw materials, food products. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Joliet to Fargo?
Yes. Joliet is a strong outbound market shipping redistributed consumer goods, intermodal containers, packaged foods. Carriers returning from Joliet to Fargo can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Fargo-to-Joliet lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Fargo to Joliet?
The Fargo-to-Joliet corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Fargo's top outbound commodities include grain & wheat, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, farm equipment, processed foods, potatoes. Joliet's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (from West Coast), raw materials, food products, retail merchandise, industrial supplies, automotive components. Industries driving this lane include agriculture and technology from Fargo and intermodal logistics and warehousing & distribution in Joliet.
Get Exact Rates for Fargo to Joliet
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