Freight Shipping from Fort Lauderdale to Dallas
Ship freight from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Dallas, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $3,077-$3,792, LTL from $987-$1,616. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,431 mi
Drive Time
26 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$3,077-$3,792
LTL Rate Est.
$987-$1,616
Consumer Goods Corridor
Fort Lauderdale → Dallas Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
110–133
running this lane
Weekly Loads
189–203
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
77/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$17–$29 one-way passing through FL, TX, GA, SC. 3 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Fort Lauderdale to Dallas Freight Corridor
Fort Lauderdale is the yachting capital of the world, and that maritime heritage shapes its freight economy. Port Everglades is one of the busiest cruise ports globally (4 million+ passengers annually), generating enormous provisioning freight. The I-595 corridor connects the port to the Florida Turnpike, creating a vital east-west freight artery. The city's aviation MRO cluster at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International repairs and overhauls aircraft for carriers worldwide, producing specialized heavy-freight shipments of engines and landing gear.
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.
The Fort Lauderdale-to-Dallas corridor spans 1,431 miles via I-95, I-595, I-35E, I-30. This lane connects marine industry and aviation mro freight from the Fort Lauderdale market to technology and telecommunications demand in Dallas. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale's economy is driven by marine industry, aviation mro, tourism, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
yachts & marine vessels
aircraft parts (MRO)
cruise ship supplies
electronics
marine equipment
seafood
What Dallas Receives
Dallas's technology, telecommunications, financial services sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Fort Lauderdale.
consumer goods
raw materials
electronic components
building materials
imported merchandise
petroleum products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Fort Lauderdale and Dallas, 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.
$3,077-$3,792 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.
$3,792-$4,794 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.
$4,078-$5,223 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$4,508-$6,082 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Fort Lauderdale to Dallas lane (1,431 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $3,077-$3,792 | 26 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $987-$1,616 | 28-30 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $4,651-$6,440 | 17 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,932-$2,647 | 29-31 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Fort Lauderdale and Dallas that drive volume on this lane.
Spirit Airlines (HQ)
AutoNation (HQ)
Citrix Systems
Texas Instruments (HQ)
AT&T (HQ)
Amazon DFW Fulfillment Network
Shipping Tips for Fort Lauderdale to Dallas
Fort Lauderdale Seasonal Advisory
Cruise season peaks November through April, driving provisioning freight. The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (October) creates a temporary but massive surge in oversize yacht transport and marine equipment shipping.
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.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,431 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 26 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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Fort Lauderdale and Dallas — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Metro Population
- 2.0M metro (Broward County)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.40-$2.75/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95, I-595, Florida Turnpike
- Rail / Intermodal
- FEC Fort Lauderdale Terminal
- Port Access
- Port Everglades (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Dania Beach/I-595, Pompano Beach/I-95, Sunrise/Sawgrass
“Cruise ship provisioning at Port Everglades follows a rigid weekly schedule tied to departure days. A single large cruise vessel requires 10-15 truckloads of food, beverages, and supplies, all delivered within a 6-hour window before sailing. Late deliveries mean the ship sails without the goods.”
Destination
Dallas, TX
- Metro Population
- 7.6M metro (DFW)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.00-$2.35/mi
- Key Highways
- I-35E, I-30, I-635 (LBJ)
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Alliance Intermodal (Fort Worth); Union Pacific Mesquite Intermodal; BNSF Wilmer Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- South Dallas/I-20 Corridor, Mesquite/I-30 East, Garland/I-635 Northeast
“Dallas's massive inbound-to-outbound imbalance — driven by the region's explosive population growth — means carriers delivering to DFW can almost always find loads out. The challenge is finding loads that pay well enough to justify the outbound leg, especially southbound to Houston where competition is fierce.”
Return Loads from Dallas
Dallas generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Fort Lauderdale is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Dallas
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Fort Lauderdale to Dallas Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Fort Lauderdale to Dallas?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Dallas, TX currently range $3,077-$3,792 (roughly $2.17-$2.68 per mile over 1,431 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $987-$1,616 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced on this corridor, so booking 3-5 days out locks in the best pricing. Request a custom quote for exact rates.
How long does freight take from Fort Lauderdale to Dallas?
Standard FTL transit from Fort Lauderdale to Dallas is approximately 26 hrs by truck over 1,431 miles, with 3 typical fuel stops along the corridor. 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 via FEC Fort Lauderdale Terminal to BNSF Alliance Intermodal (Fort Worth) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Fort Lauderdale to Dallas freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Fort Lauderdale commonly ships yachts & marine vessels, aircraft parts (MRO), cruise ship supplies, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Dallas commonly receives consumer goods, raw materials, electronic components. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Dallas to Fort Lauderdale?
Strong backhaul (scored 77/100 based on Dallas's outbound commodity mix). Dallas generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Fort Lauderdale is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Dallas's top outbound commodities — electronics (Texas Instruments), telecommunications equipment, consumer packaged goods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Fort Lauderdale to Dallas?
The Fort Lauderdale-to-Dallas corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Fort Lauderdale's top outbound commodities include yachts & marine vessels, aircraft parts (MRO), cruise ship supplies, electronics, marine equipment, seafood. Dallas's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, raw materials, electronic components, building materials, imported merchandise, petroleum products. Industries driving this lane include marine industry and aviation MRO from Fort Lauderdale and technology and telecommunications in Dallas.
When are rates highest on the Fort Lauderdale to Dallas lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to marine industry and aviation MRO cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Fort Lauderdale to Dallas
We maintain working relationships with 110+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Fort Lauderdale–Dallas corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts