Freight Shipping from Fort Worth to St. Louis
Ship freight from Fort Worth, TX to St. Louis, MO with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,591-$1,961, LTL from $607-$1,029. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
740 mi
Drive Time
13 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,591-$1,961
LTL Rate Est.
$607-$1,029
Fort Worth to St. Louis 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.
St. Louis sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, making it a natural multimodal freight hub where barge, rail, and truck converge. Anheuser-Busch's flagship brewery ships millions of cases weekly on dedicated lane networks. Boeing's defense division in north St. Louis County produces F/A-18 and F-15 fighter jets, generating oversize military cargo requiring specialized flatbed carriers.
The Fort Worth-to-St. Louis corridor spans 740 miles via I-35W, I-30, I-70, I-64. This lane connects aerospace & defense and rail logistics freight from the Fort Worth market to beer & beverage and agriculture & food demand in St. Louis. 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 St. Louis Receives
St. Louis's beer & beverage, agriculture & food, defense & aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Fort Worth.
raw grain & barley
aluminum cans & packaging
auto parts
consumer goods
industrial chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Fort Worth and St. Louis, 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.
$1,591-$1,961 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.
$1,961-$2,479 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,331-$3,145 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.
$607-$1,029 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Fort Worth to St. Louis lane (740 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,591-$1,961 | 13 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $607-$1,029 | 15-17 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,405-$3,330 | 9 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $999-$1,369 | 16-18 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Fort Worth and St. Louis that drive volume on this lane.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (F-35)
Bell Textron (HQ)
BNSF Railway (HQ)
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Boeing Defense
General Motors (Wentzville)
Shipping Tips for Fort Worth to St. Louis
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.
St. Louis Seasonal Advisory
Beer shipments surge before major holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Super Bowl). Mississippi River flooding in spring can shut down river terminals and divert barge freight to trucks, causing temporary rate spikes.
Overnight Transit
This 740-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.
Fort Worth to St. Louis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Fort Worth to St. Louis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Fort Worth, TX to St. Louis, MO currently range from $1,591-$1,961 for a standard dry van load over the 740-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $607-$1,029 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 Fort Worth to St. Louis?
Standard FTL transit from Fort Worth to St. Louis is approximately 13 hrs by truck over 740 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 Fort Worth to St. Louis 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. St. Louis commonly receives raw grain & barley, aluminum cans & packaging, auto parts. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from St. Louis to Fort Worth?
Yes. St. Louis is a strong outbound market shipping beer & beverages, processed foods, defense equipment. Carriers returning from St. Louis to Fort Worth can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Fort Worth-to-St. Louis lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Fort Worth to St. Louis?
The Fort Worth-to-St. Louis corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Fort Worth's top outbound commodities include F-35 fighter jet components, Bell helicopters, grain & cattle, consumer goods, dairy products, industrial equipment. St. Louis's primary inbound freight includes raw grain & barley, aluminum cans & packaging, auto parts, consumer goods, industrial chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include aerospace & defense and rail logistics from Fort Worth and beer & beverage and agriculture & food in St. Louis.
Get Exact Rates for Fort Worth to St. Louis
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Fort Worth to St. Louis lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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