Freight Shipping from Houston to Dallas
Ship freight from Houston, TX to Dallas, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $628-$774, LTL from $361-$648. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
292 mi
Drive Time
5 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$628-$774
LTL Rate Est.
$361-$648
Consumer Goods Corridor
Houston → Dallas Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
183–197
running this lane
Weekly Loads
230–246
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.67
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
$3–$4 one-way passing through TX. 1 typical fuel stop 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.
Houston to Dallas Freight Corridor
Houston is the energy capital of the world, and its freight profile reflects it. The Houston Ship Channel — a 52-mile industrial corridor lined with the highest concentration of refineries and petrochemical plants on Earth — generates massive tanker, flatbed, and hazmat freight volumes. Port Houston ranks first in the U.S. for foreign waterborne tonnage and handles more export cargo than any other American port. The Texas Medical Center, the world's largest, adds a significant layer of pharmaceutical and medical equipment freight.
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 Houston-to-Dallas corridor spans 292 miles via I-10, I-45, I-35E, I-30. This lane connects oil & gas and petrochemicals freight from the Houston 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 Houston
Houston's economy is driven by oil & gas, petrochemicals, healthcare (texas medical center), generating consistent outbound freight demand.
refined petroleum
petrochemicals
plastic resins
oilfield equipment
LNG equipment
medical devices
What Dallas Receives
Dallas's technology, telecommunications, financial services sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Houston.
consumer goods
raw materials
electronic components
building materials
imported merchandise
petroleum products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Houston 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.
$628-$774 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.
$832-$1,066 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$920-$1,241 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.
$361-$648 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Houston to Dallas lane (292 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $628-$774 | 5 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $361-$648 | 7-9 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $949-$1,314 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Houston and Dallas that drive volume on this lane.
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
Texas Instruments (HQ)
AT&T (HQ)
Amazon DFW Fulfillment Network
Shipping Tips for Houston to Dallas
Houston Seasonal Advisory
Hurricane season (June-November) is the dominant variable — storms can shut down the Ship Channel and port for days, creating massive freight backlogs and rate spikes. Petrochemical production is year-round but refinery turnarounds in spring and fall temporarily shift freight patterns.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 292 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
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 Houston and Dallas — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Houston, TX
- Metro Population
- 7.1M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $1.95-$2.30/mi
- Key Highways
- I-10, I-45, I-69/US-59
- Rail / Intermodal
- Union Pacific Settegast Yard; BNSF Pearland Intermodal; Port Houston Barbours Cut Container Terminal
- Port Access
- Port Houston (Houston Ship Channel, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Katy/I-10 West, Baytown/Ship Channel East, Missouri City/US-59 South
“Houston's energy corridor creates a unique freight dynamic — when oil prices rise, oilfield equipment and pipe shipments to the Permian Basin surge on flatbeds heading west on I-10. When prices fall, the same corridor reverses as equipment is mothballed and returned. Carriers who read the energy cycle can position ahead of these waves.”
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 Houston 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
Houston to Dallas Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Houston to Dallas?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Houston, TX to Dallas, TX currently range $628-$774 (roughly $2.18-$2.67 per mile over 292 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $361-$648 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 Houston to Dallas?
Standard FTL transit from Houston to Dallas is approximately 5 hrs by truck over 292 miles, with 1 typical fuel stop 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%.
What equipment do I need for Houston to Dallas freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Houston commonly ships refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, 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 Houston?
Strong backhaul (scored 78/100 based on Dallas's outbound commodity mix). Dallas generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Houston 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 Houston to Dallas?
The Houston-to-Dallas corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Houston's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, oilfield equipment, LNG equipment, medical devices. Dallas's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, raw materials, electronic components, building materials, imported merchandise, petroleum products. Industries driving this lane include oil & gas and petrochemicals from Houston and technology and telecommunications in Dallas.
When are rates highest on the Houston to Dallas lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to oil & gas and petrochemicals 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.
Can freight from Houston to Dallas be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 292 miles (5 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Houston-to-Dallas lane in one shift. Same-day delivery requires booking before 9 AM local time at origin and confirming dock availability at destination. Expedited service runs 4 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Houston to Dallas
We maintain working relationships with 183+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Houston–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.
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