Freight Shipping from Fort Worth to Cleveland
Ship freight from Fort Worth, TX to Cleveland, OH with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,933-$3,615, LTL from $950-$1,559. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,364 mi
Drive Time
25 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,933-$3,615
LTL Rate Est.
$950-$1,559
Industrial Freight Lane
Fort Worth → Cleveland Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
123–145
running this lane
Weekly Loads
228–242
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
66/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$21–$34 one-way passing through TX, OH, TN, KY, VA, IN, IL, MO, AR, OK, GA, SC, NC. 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 Worth to Cleveland Freight Corridor
Fort Worth is the aerospace and rail logistics capital of Texas. Lockheed Martin's mile-long factory produces every F-35 Lightning II fighter jet sold worldwide, generating classified, oversize, and high-security freight that requires specialized carriers. BNSF Railway's headquarters and Alliance Texas — the nation's largest inland port — create one of the most sophisticated intermodal logistics ecosystems in North America. Bell Textron builds V-22 Ospreys and commercial helicopters, adding to the aerospace freight base.
Cleveland remains the industrial heart of the Great Lakes manufacturing belt, anchored by Sherwin-Williams' new global headquarters and Cleveland-Cliffs' integrated steel operations. The Port of Cleveland connects to global markets via the St. Lawrence Seaway, handling iron ore, steel, and heavy-lift project cargo. The I-90/I-77 junction gives carriers efficient access to the entire Midwest and Northeast.
The Fort Worth-to-Cleveland corridor spans 1,364 miles via I-35W, I-30, I-90, I-77. This lane connects aerospace & defense and rail logistics freight from the Fort Worth market to steel & metals and automotive parts demand in Cleveland. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Fort Worth
Fort Worth's economy is driven by aerospace & defense, rail logistics, ranching & agriculture, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
F-35 fighter jet components
Bell helicopters
grain & cattle
consumer goods
dairy products
industrial equipment
What Cleveland Receives
Cleveland's steel & metals, automotive parts, healthcare & biomedical sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Fort Worth.
iron ore (Great Lakes)
raw steel
automotive components
crude chemicals
consumer goods
energy products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Fort Worth and Cleveland, 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.
$2,933-$3,615 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.
$3,615-$4,569 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.
$3,887-$4,979 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$4,297-$5,797 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Fort Worth to Cleveland lane (1,364 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,933-$3,615 | 25 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $950-$1,559 | 27-29 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $4,433-$6,138 | 17 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,841-$2,523 | 28-30 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Fort Worth and Cleveland that drive volume on this lane.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (F-35)
Bell Textron (HQ)
BNSF Railway (HQ)
Sherwin-Williams (HQ)
Cleveland-Cliffs (HQ)
Lincoln Electric
Shipping Tips for Fort Worth to Cleveland
Fort Worth Seasonal Advisory
Defense freight follows federal fiscal year-end spending (September rush). BNSF intermodal volumes peak during Q4 import season. Livestock and agricultural freight from the Fort Worth Stockyards region is strongest March through October.
Cleveland Seasonal Advisory
Steel production runs year-round but construction season (April-October) drives the strongest demand for outbound coil and plate loads. Great Lakes shipping season (April-January) determines iron ore import volumes at the port.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,364 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 25 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 Worth and Cleveland — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Fort Worth, TX
- Metro Population
- 7.6M metro (DFW)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-35W, I-30, I-20
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Alliance Intermodal Facility; Alliance Texas Logistics Hub
- Warehouse Districts
- AllianceTexas/I-35W North, South Fort Worth/I-20 Corridor, Haslet/Alliance Gateway
“AllianceTexas is not just an intermodal facility — it's a 27,000-acre master-planned logistics campus with its own airport, rail yard, and 50+ million square feet of warehouse space. Carriers who operate within the Alliance ecosystem can string together multiple loads without leaving the campus.”
Destination
Cleveland, OH
- Metro Population
- 2.1M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-90, I-77, I-480
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Cleveland Intermodal; CSX Collinwood Yard
- Port Access
- Port of Cleveland (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Seaway, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Solon/I-480 East, Brook Park/I-71 South, Twinsburg/I-480 Corridor
“Cleveland's steel and metals market creates natural synergies between flatbed and van freight. Carriers who deliver raw steel coils to stamping plants can often backhaul finished automotive parts to assembly plants in Detroit, Toledo, or Ontario — a loop that keeps utilization above 90%.”
Return Loads from Cleveland
Backhaul from Cleveland to Fort Worth requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Cleveland
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Fort Worth to Cleveland Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Fort Worth to Cleveland?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Fort Worth, TX to Cleveland, OH currently range $2,933-$3,615 (roughly $2.17-$2.67 per mile over 1,364 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $950-$1,559 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently tight 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 Worth to Cleveland?
Standard FTL transit from Fort Worth to Cleveland is approximately 25 hrs by truck over 1,364 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 BNSF Alliance Intermodal Facility to Norfolk Southern Cleveland Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Fort Worth to Cleveland freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Fort Worth commonly ships F-35 fighter jet components, Bell helicopters, grain & cattle, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Cleveland commonly receives iron ore (Great Lakes), raw steel, automotive components. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Cleveland to Fort Worth?
Moderate backhaul (scored 66/100 based on Cleveland's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Cleveland to Fort Worth requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Cleveland's top outbound commodities — steel products, automotive stampings, industrial chemicals — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Fort Worth to Cleveland?
The Fort Worth-to-Cleveland corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. Fort Worth's top outbound commodities include F-35 fighter jet components, Bell helicopters, grain & cattle, consumer goods, dairy products, industrial equipment. Cleveland's primary inbound freight includes iron ore (Great Lakes), raw steel, automotive components, crude chemicals, consumer goods, energy products. Industries driving this lane include aerospace & defense and rail logistics from Fort Worth and steel & metals and automotive parts in Cleveland.
When are rates highest on the Fort Worth to Cleveland lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to aerospace & defense and rail logistics cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); 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 Worth to Cleveland
We maintain working relationships with 123+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Fort Worth–Cleveland corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
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