Freight Shipping from Fort Worth to Denver
Ship freight from Fort Worth, TX to Denver, CO with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,800-$2,218, LTL from $660-$1,111. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
837 mi
Drive Time
15 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,800-$2,218
LTL Rate Est.
$660-$1,111
Consumer Goods Corridor
Fort Worth → Denver Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
166–184
running this lane
Weekly Loads
227–246
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
70/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$9–$15 one-way passing through TX, CO, OK, NM. 2 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Mon, Tue, Wed. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Fort Worth to Denver 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.
Denver is the Rocky Mountain region's undisputed freight hub and the last major distribution point before the I-70 mountain corridor forces carriers through some of the most challenging terrain in the lower 48. The city's booming population growth has spawned massive warehouse development along the I-76 and E-470 corridors near DIA. Denver's natural foods industry, anchored by WhiteWave, Natural Grocers, and dozens of craft producers, generates high-value reefer freight heading to both coasts.
The Fort Worth-to-Denver corridor spans 837 miles via I-35W, I-30, I-25, I-70. This lane connects aerospace & defense and rail logistics freight from the Fort Worth market to aerospace & defense and technology demand in Denver. 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 Denver Receives
Denver's aerospace & defense, technology, natural foods & beverage sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Fort Worth.
consumer goods
building materials
automotive vehicles
industrial machinery
fresh produce
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Fort Worth and Denver, 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.
$1,800-$2,218 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.
$2,218-$2,804 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.
$2,385-$3,055 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.
$660-$1,111 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Fort Worth to Denver lane (837 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,800-$2,218 | 15 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $660-$1,111 | 17-19 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,720-$3,767 | 10 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,130-$1,548 | 18-20 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Fort Worth and Denver that drive volume on this lane.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (F-35)
Bell Textron (HQ)
BNSF Railway (HQ)
Amazon (4 facilities)
Lockheed Martin (Waterton)
Ball Corporation (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Fort Worth to Denver
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.
Denver Seasonal Advisory
Construction season (April-October) drives flatbed demand for building materials headed to mountain resort communities. Ski season freight (equipment, supplies) peaks September-November as resorts stock up.
Overnight Transit
This 837-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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Fort Worth and Denver — 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
Denver, CO
- Metro Population
- 2.9M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.25-$2.60/mi
- Key Highways
- I-25, I-70, I-76
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Irondale Intermodal; UP Denver Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- DIA/Aurora Corridor, Henderson/I-76, Centennial/I-25 South
“Winter chain laws on I-70 west of Denver (Eisenhower Tunnel) regularly shut down truck traffic, sometimes for days. Experienced carriers build 24-48 hours of buffer into westbound Mountain Corridor loads between November and April.”
Return Loads from Denver
Denver generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Fort Worth is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Denver
Seasonal Rate Patterns
May-Aug (produce season)
+12-18% on reefer capacity
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 Denver Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Fort Worth to Denver?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Fort Worth, TX to Denver, CO currently range $1,800-$2,218 (roughly $2.17-$2.68 per mile over 837 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $660-$1,111 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 Denver?
Standard FTL transit from Fort Worth to Denver is approximately 15 hrs by truck over 837 miles, with 2 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 BNSF Irondale Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Fort Worth to Denver 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. Denver commonly receives consumer goods, building materials, automotive vehicles. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Denver to Fort Worth?
Strong backhaul (scored 70/100 based on Denver's outbound commodity mix). Denver generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Fort Worth is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Denver's top outbound commodities — natural & organic foods, craft beer & spirits, aerospace components — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Fort Worth to Denver?
The Fort Worth-to-Denver corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Fort Worth's top outbound commodities include F-35 fighter jet components, Bell helicopters, grain & cattle, consumer goods, dairy products, industrial equipment. Denver's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, building materials, automotive vehicles, industrial machinery, fresh produce, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include aerospace & defense and rail logistics from Fort Worth and aerospace & defense and technology in Denver.
When are rates highest on the Fort Worth to Denver lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to aerospace & defense and rail logistics cycles. Key periods: May-Aug (produce season) (+12-18% on reefer capacity); 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 (Mon, Tue, Wed) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Fort Worth to Denver
We maintain working relationships with 166+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Fort Worth–Denver 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