Freight Shipping from Houston to Fort Worth
Ship freight from Houston, TX to Fort Worth, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $662-$816, LTL from $369-$662. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
308 mi
Drive Time
6 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$662-$816
LTL Rate Est.
$369-$662
Houston to Fort Worth 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.
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 Houston-to-Fort Worth corridor spans 308 miles via I-10, I-45, I-35W, I-30. This lane connects oil & gas and petrochemicals freight from the Houston 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 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 Fort Worth Receives
Fort Worth's aerospace & defense, rail logistics, ranching & agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Houston.
aerospace sub-assemblies
raw metals
containerized imports (via Alliance)
consumer goods
building materials
fuel
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Houston 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.
$662-$816 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.
$878-$1,124 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$970-$1,309 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.
$369-$662 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Houston to Fort Worth lane (308 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $662-$816 | 6 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $369-$662 | 8-10 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,001-$1,386 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Houston and Fort Worth that drive volume on this lane.
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (F-35)
Bell Textron (HQ)
BNSF Railway (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Houston to Fort Worth
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.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 308 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.
Houston to Fort Worth Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Houston to Fort Worth?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Houston, TX to Fort Worth, TX currently range from $662-$816 for a standard dry van load over the 308-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $369-$662 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 Houston to Fort Worth?
Standard FTL transit from Houston to Fort Worth is approximately 6 hrs by truck over 308 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%.
What equipment do I need for Houston to Fort Worth freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Houston commonly ships refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, 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 Houston?
Yes. Fort Worth is a strong outbound market shipping F-35 fighter jet components, Bell helicopters, grain & cattle. Carriers returning from Fort Worth to Houston can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Houston-to-Fort Worth lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Houston to Fort Worth?
The Houston-to-Fort Worth corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Houston's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, oilfield equipment, LNG equipment, medical devices. 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 oil & gas and petrochemicals from Houston and aerospace & defense and rail logistics in Fort Worth.
Get Exact Rates for Houston to Fort Worth
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