Freight Shipping from Houston to Kansas City
Ship freight from Houston, TX to Kansas City, KS with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,810-$2,231, LTL from $663-$1,116. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
842 mi
Drive Time
15 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,810-$2,231
LTL Rate Est.
$663-$1,116
Consumer Goods Corridor
Houston → Kansas City Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
161–178
running this lane
Weekly Loads
231–247
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
73/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$13–$22 one-way passing through TX, KS, OK. 2 typical fuel stops 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 Kansas City 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.
Kansas City is the geographic center of the continental US freight network and arguably the most important rail hub after Chicago. Four Class I railroads (BNSF, UP, NS, and KCS/CPKC) maintain major yards here, and the Logistics Park Kansas City in Edwardsville is one of the largest inland intermodal developments in North America. The city's central location means outbound freight can reach 85% of the US population within two days by truck, making it a magnet for e-commerce fulfillment and food distribution operations.
The Houston-to-Kansas City corridor spans 842 miles via I-10, I-45, I-70, I-35. This lane connects oil & gas and petrochemicals freight from the Houston market to logistics & distribution and automotive manufacturing demand in Kansas City. 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 Kansas City Receives
Kansas City's logistics & distribution, automotive manufacturing, animal health sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Houston.
automotive components
consumer goods
agricultural products
construction materials
raw materials
e-commerce inventory
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Houston and Kansas City, 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.
$1,810-$2,231 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.
$2,400-$3,073 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,652-$3,579 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.
$663-$1,116 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Houston to Kansas City lane (842 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,810-$2,231 | 15 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $663-$1,116 | 17-19 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,737-$3,789 | 10 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,137-$1,558 | 18-20 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Houston and Kansas City that drive volume on this lane.
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
General Motors Fairfax Assembly
Amazon (5+ facilities)
Cerner/Oracle Health
Shipping Tips for Houston to Kansas City
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.
Kansas City Seasonal Advisory
Agricultural freight peaks during fall harvest. Holiday e-commerce fulfillment (October-December) strains outbound capacity. Severe weather on the Great Plains (tornadoes in spring, ice storms in winter) can temporarily shut down I-70 and I-35.
Overnight Transit
This 842-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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Houston and Kansas City — 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
Kansas City, KS
- Metro Population
- 2.2M metro (KC metro)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-70, I-35, I-435
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Argentine Yard; UP Neff Yard; NS Kansas City Terminal; KCS Knoche Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- Edwardsville/I-435 (Logistics Park KC), Wyandotte County/I-70, Gardner/New Century
“CPKC's merger created the first single-railroad connection from Canada to Mexico through Kansas City, fundamentally reshaping north-south intermodal flows. Shippers moving freight between Mexico and the Midwest now have a rail option that bypasses congested Texas border crossings.”
Return Loads from Kansas City
Kansas City generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Houston is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Kansas City
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Houston to Kansas City Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Houston to Kansas City?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Houston, TX to Kansas City, KS currently range $1,810-$2,231 (roughly $2.17-$2.66 per mile over 842 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $663-$1,116 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 Kansas City?
Standard FTL transit from Houston to Kansas City is approximately 15 hrs by truck over 842 miles, with 2 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 Union Pacific Settegast Yard to BNSF Argentine Yard takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Houston to Kansas City freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Houston commonly ships refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Kansas City commonly receives automotive components, consumer goods, agricultural products. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Kansas City to Houston?
Strong backhaul (scored 73/100 based on Kansas City's outbound commodity mix). Kansas City generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Houston is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Kansas City's top outbound commodities — automobiles (GM), animal health products, processed meats — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Houston to Kansas City?
The Houston-to-Kansas City 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. Kansas City's primary inbound freight includes automotive components, consumer goods, agricultural products, construction materials, raw materials, e-commerce inventory. Industries driving this lane include oil & gas and petrochemicals from Houston and logistics & distribution and automotive manufacturing in Kansas City.
When are rates highest on the Houston to Kansas City 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); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); 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.
Get Exact Rates for Houston to Kansas City
We maintain working relationships with 161+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Houston–Kansas City 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