Freight Shipping from Fresno to Fort Worth
Ship freight from Fresno, CA to Fort Worth, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $3,636-$4,481, LTL from $1,130-$1,837. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,691 mi
Drive Time
31 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$3,636-$4,481
LTL Rate Est.
$1,130-$1,837
Fresh Food Lane
Fresno → Fort Worth Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
98–122
running this lane
Weekly Loads
191–203
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
78/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$20–$34 one-way passing through CA, TX, OK, NM. 4 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.
Fresno to Fort Worth Freight Corridor
Fresno County is the single most productive agricultural county in the United States, and the city sits at the epicenter of a reefer freight machine that feeds the nation. Every major agricultural commodity — from grapes and citrus to dairy and nuts — ships from cold storage facilities clustered along SR-99. The BNSF intermodal facility connects Valley produce to transcontinental rail networks, but the vast majority moves by truck on the two-lane highways that crisscross the Valley floor.
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.
The Fresno-to-Fort Worth corridor spans 1,691 miles via SR-99, SR-41, I-35W, I-30. This lane connects agriculture and food processing freight from the Fresno market to aerospace & defense and rail logistics demand in Fort Worth. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Fresno
Fresno's economy is driven by agriculture, food processing, wine production, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
grapes & raisins
citrus fruits
tomatoes
dairy products
almonds & pistachios
cotton
What Fort Worth Receives
Fort Worth's aerospace & defense, rail logistics, ranching & agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Fresno.
aerospace sub-assemblies
raw metals
containerized imports (via Alliance)
consumer goods
building materials
fuel
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Fresno and Fort Worth, 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.
$3,636-$4,481 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.
$4,481-$5,665 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.
$4,819-$6,172 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.
$1,130-$1,837 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Fresno to Fort Worth lane (1,691 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $3,636-$4,481 | 31 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,130-$1,837 | 33-35 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $5,496-$7,610 | 20 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,283-$3,128 | 34-36 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Fresno and Fort Worth that drive volume on this lane.
Sun-Maid Growers
Producers Dairy
Zacky Farms
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (F-35)
Bell Textron (HQ)
BNSF Railway (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Fresno to Fort Worth
Fresno Seasonal Advisory
Grape harvest (August-October) is the largest single event. Citrus runs November through April. There is no true "slow season" in Fresno if you haul reefer — something is always being harvested or processed.
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.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,691 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 31 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 Fresno and Fort Worth — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Fresno, CA
- Metro Population
- 1.0M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- SR-99, SR-41, SR-180
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Fresno Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- South Fresno/SR-99 Corridor, Fresno Yosemite International Airport area
“Fresno's reefer market operates on agricultural cycles, not retail cycles. Carriers who understand the planting-to-harvest calendar for each commodity can position trucks weeks ahead of demand spikes and negotiate rates 15-20% above spot.”
Destination
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.”
Return Loads from Fort Worth
Fort Worth generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Fresno is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Fort Worth
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
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Fresno to Fort Worth Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Fresno to Fort Worth?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Fresno, CA to Fort Worth, TX currently range $3,636-$4,481 (roughly $2.17-$2.65 per mile over 1,691 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,130-$1,837 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 Fresno to Fort Worth?
Standard FTL transit from Fresno to Fort Worth is approximately 31 hrs by truck over 1,691 miles, with 4 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 Fresno Intermodal to BNSF Alliance Intermodal Facility takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Fresno to Fort Worth freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Fresno commonly ships grapes & raisins, citrus fruits, tomatoes, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Fort Worth commonly receives aerospace sub-assemblies, raw metals, containerized imports (via Alliance). Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Fort Worth to Fresno?
Strong backhaul (scored 78/100 based on Fort Worth's outbound commodity mix). Fort Worth generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Fresno is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Fort Worth's top outbound commodities — F-35 fighter jet components, Bell helicopters, grain & cattle — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Fresno to Fort Worth?
The Fresno-to-Fort Worth corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. Fresno's top outbound commodities include grapes & raisins, citrus fruits, tomatoes, dairy products, almonds & pistachios, cotton. Fort Worth's primary inbound freight includes aerospace sub-assemblies, raw metals, containerized imports (via Alliance), consumer goods, building materials, fuel. Industries driving this lane include agriculture and food processing from Fresno and aerospace & defense and rail logistics in Fort Worth.
When are rates highest on the Fresno to Fort Worth lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to agriculture and food processing 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); 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.
Should I use team drivers for the Fresno to Fort Worth lane?
At 1,691 miles, this route exceeds a solo driver's hours-of-service limits and requires at least one 10-hour break, adding roughly 14-18 hours to transit. Team drivers typically deliver in 18-22 hours — nearly half the solo transit — at a 20-35% rate premium. For time-critical freight over 1,200 miles, teams generally pay for themselves.
Get Exact Rates for Fresno to Fort Worth
We maintain working relationships with 98+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Fresno–Fort Worth 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