Freight Shipping from Houston to Jacksonville
Ship freight from Houston, TX to Jacksonville, FL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,294-$2,828, LTL from $787-$1,307. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,067 mi
Drive Time
19 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,294-$2,828
LTL Rate Est.
$787-$1,307
Houston to Jacksonville 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.
Jacksonville is where the Southeast's freight arteries converge. As CSX's headquarters city and the junction of I-95 and I-10, Jax controls rail and truck freight flows between the entire Eastern Seaboard and the Gulf Coast. JAXPORT is the #1 vehicle-import port in the US, processing over 700,000 vehicles annually that Southeast Toyota and other distributors truck to dealerships across the Southeast. The city's geographic position makes it the ideal repositioning hub for carriers running Florida's north-south lanes.
The Houston-to-Jacksonville corridor spans 1,067 miles via I-10. This lane connects oil & gas and petrochemicals freight from the Houston market to logistics & distribution and automotive import processing demand in Jacksonville. 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 Jacksonville Receives
Jacksonville's logistics & distribution, automotive import processing, financial services sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Houston.
automobiles (import)
consumer goods
construction materials
containerized cargo
military supplies
food products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Houston and Jacksonville, 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.
$2,294-$2,828 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.
$3,041-$3,895 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,361-$4,535 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.
$787-$1,307 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Houston to Jacksonville lane (1,067 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,294-$2,828 | 19 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $787-$1,307 | 21-23 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,468-$4,802 | 13 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,440-$1,974 | 22-24 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Houston and Jacksonville that drive volume on this lane.
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
CSX Transportation (HQ)
Southeast Toyota Distributors
Johnson & Johnson Vision
Shipping Tips for Houston to Jacksonville
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.
Jacksonville Seasonal Advisory
Vehicle import volume peaks in spring (new model year distribution) and fall. Hurricane season can temporarily disrupt port operations. Snowbird migration (October-November) drives a surge in household goods shipments headed to Central and South Florida.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,067 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 19 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.
Houston to Jacksonville Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Houston to Jacksonville?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Houston, TX to Jacksonville, FL currently range from $2,294-$2,828 for a standard dry van load over the 1,067-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $787-$1,307 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 Jacksonville?
Standard FTL transit from Houston to Jacksonville is approximately 19 hrs by truck over 1,067 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 Houston to Jacksonville freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Houston commonly ships refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Jacksonville commonly receives automobiles (import), consumer goods, construction materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Jacksonville to Houston?
Yes. Jacksonville is a strong outbound market shipping imported vehicles, paper & pulp products, containerized goods. Carriers returning from Jacksonville to Houston can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Houston-to-Jacksonville lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Houston to Jacksonville?
The Houston-to-Jacksonville corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Houston's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, oilfield equipment, LNG equipment, medical devices. Jacksonville's primary inbound freight includes automobiles (import), consumer goods, construction materials, containerized cargo, military supplies, food products. Industries driving this lane include oil & gas and petrochemicals from Houston and logistics & distribution and automotive import processing in Jacksonville.
Get Exact Rates for Houston to Jacksonville
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Houston to Jacksonville lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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