Freight Shipping from Houston to Mobile
Ship freight from Houston, TX to Mobile, AL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,236-$1,524, LTL from $516-$889. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
575 mi
Drive Time
10 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,236-$1,524
LTL Rate Est.
$516-$889
Port Drayage Corridor
Houston → Mobile Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
167–183
running this lane
Weekly Loads
84–100
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
57/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$4–$7 one-way passing through TX, AL. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Houston to Mobile 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.
Mobile is the Gulf Coast's overlooked freight powerhouse. The Port of Mobile handles 60+ million tons annually and the Airbus A320 final assembly line creates a unique mix of containerized imports, oversize aerospace cargo, and bulk commodities. The AM/NS Calvert steel mill (a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel) is one of the most advanced in North America, generating heavy flatbed volume on I-65 northbound.
The Houston-to-Mobile corridor spans 575 miles via I-10. This lane connects oil & gas and petrochemicals freight from the Houston market to shipbuilding and petrochemicals demand in Mobile. 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 Mobile Receives
Mobile's shipbuilding, petrochemicals, aerospace assembly sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Houston.
steel plate & beams
aircraft components
crude oil
containerized imports
industrial machinery
raw chemicals
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Houston and Mobile, 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.
$1,236-$1,524 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.
$1,639-$2,099 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,811-$2,444 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.
$516-$889 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Houston to Mobile lane (575 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,236-$1,524 | 10 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $516-$889 | 12-14 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,869-$2,588 | 7 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $776-$1,064 | 13-15 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Houston and Mobile that drive volume on this lane.
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility
Austal USA
AM/NS Calvert Steel
Shipping Tips for Houston to Mobile
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.
Mobile Seasonal Advisory
Hurricane season (June-November) can shut down port operations for days, creating massive post-storm freight surges. Shrimp season drives reefer demand from May through October.
Overnight Transit
This 575-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 Mobile — 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
Mobile, AL
- Metro Population
- 430K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-10, I-65, US-98
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Mobile Terminal; APM Terminals Mobile
- Port Access
- Port of Mobile (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Theodore Industrial Canal, Brookley Aeroplex
“The I-10/I-65 interchange south of Mobile is one of the most capacity-constrained freight corridors on the Gulf Coast. Carriers staging at the port often wait 4-6 hours for container pickup, so smart brokers build dwell time into their rate calculations.”
Return Loads from Mobile
Backhaul from Mobile to Houston requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Mobile
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Houston to Mobile Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Houston to Mobile?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Houston, TX to Mobile, AL currently range $1,236-$1,524 (roughly $2.15-$2.67 per mile over 575 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $516-$889 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced 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 Mobile?
Standard FTL transit from Houston to Mobile is approximately 10 hrs by truck over 575 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service via Union Pacific Settegast Yard to CSX Mobile Terminal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Houston to Mobile freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Houston commonly ships refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Mobile commonly receives steel plate & beams, aircraft components, crude oil. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Mobile to Houston?
Moderate backhaul (scored 57/100 based on Mobile's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Mobile to Houston requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Mobile's top outbound commodities — lumber & timber, petrochemicals, aircraft assemblies — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Houston to Mobile?
The Houston-to-Mobile corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Houston's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, oilfield equipment, LNG equipment, medical devices. Mobile's primary inbound freight includes steel plate & beams, aircraft components, crude oil, containerized imports, industrial machinery, raw chemicals. Industries driving this lane include oil & gas and petrochemicals from Houston and shipbuilding and petrochemicals in Mobile.
When are rates highest on the Houston to Mobile lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to oil & gas and petrochemicals cycles. Key periods: Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Houston to Mobile
We maintain working relationships with 167+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Houston–Mobile 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