Freight Shipping from Houston to Newark
Ship freight from Houston, TX to Newark, NJ with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $3,943-$4,860, LTL from $1,209-$1,959. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,834 mi
Drive Time
33 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$3,943-$4,860
LTL Rate Est.
$1,209-$1,959
Energy & Chemicals Route
Houston → Newark Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
88–108
running this lane
Weekly Loads
230–250
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
76/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$34–$57 one-way passing through TX, NJ, TN, KY, VA, OH, IN, IL, MO, AR, OK, GA, SC, NC. 4 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 Newark 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.
Newark is the epicenter of East Coast container freight, with Port Newark-Elizabeth handling 8+ million TEUs annually as the busiest port on the Atlantic seaboard. The drayage market from the port terminals to regional distribution centers is one of the highest-volume, most competitive trucking segments in the nation. Newark Liberty Airport adds significant air cargo volume, making this one of the densest multimodal freight zones in the world.
The Houston-to-Newark corridor spans 1,834 miles via I-10, I-45, I-95/NJ Turnpike, I-78. This lane connects oil & gas and petrochemicals freight from the Houston market to port logistics & drayage and air cargo demand in Newark. 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 Newark Receives
Newark's port logistics & drayage, air cargo, pharmaceuticals sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Houston.
imported containers (all categories)
consumer electronics
apparel & textiles
furniture
automotive parts
food imports
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Houston and Newark, 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.
$3,943-$4,860 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$5,777-$7,795 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.
$1,209-$1,959 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Houston to Newark lane (1,834 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $3,943-$4,860 | 33 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,209-$1,959 | 35-37 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $5,961-$8,253 | 22 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,476-$3,393 | 36-38 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Houston and Newark that drive volume on this lane.
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
Maersk (Port Newark)
Amazon EWR Fulfillment
Anheuser-Busch Newark
Shipping Tips for Houston to Newark
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.
Newark Seasonal Advisory
Import volumes peak August through October as retailers stock for the holiday season, creating severe chassis shortages and 3-5 day terminal wait times. Post-Lunar New Year (February-March) brings a second surge as Asian factories resume production.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,834 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 33 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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Houston and Newark — 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
Newark, NJ
- Metro Population
- 2.0M metro (Newark-Union)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.60-$3.10/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95/NJ Turnpike, I-78, I-280
- Rail / Intermodal
- Port Newark Container Terminal; ExpressRail Elizabeth Intermodal
- Port Access
- Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Elizabeth/Port District, Kearny/Meadowlands, Linden/I-95 South
“Port Newark drayage is a specialized market where chassis availability, terminal turn times, and demurrage/detention charges can make or break profitability. Experienced port truckers who understand terminal gate procedures and chassis pool logistics consistently outperform general freight carriers attempting to enter this market.”
Return Loads from Newark
Newark generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Houston is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Newark
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Houston to Newark Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Houston to Newark?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Houston, TX to Newark, NJ currently range $3,943-$4,860 (roughly $2.15-$2.66 per mile over 1,834 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,209-$1,959 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 Newark?
Standard FTL transit from Houston to Newark is approximately 33 hrs by truck over 1,834 miles, with 4 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 Port Newark Container Terminal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Houston to Newark freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Houston commonly ships refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Newark commonly receives imported containers (all categories), consumer electronics, apparel & textiles. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Newark to Houston?
Strong backhaul (scored 76/100 based on Newark's outbound commodity mix). Newark generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Houston is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Newark's top outbound commodities — containerized exports, pharmaceuticals, refined petroleum — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Houston to Newark?
The Houston-to-Newark corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Energy & Chemicals Route. Houston's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, oilfield equipment, LNG equipment, medical devices. Newark's primary inbound freight includes imported containers (all categories), consumer electronics, apparel & textiles, furniture, automotive parts, food imports. Industries driving this lane include oil & gas and petrochemicals from Houston and port logistics & drayage and air cargo in Newark.
What tolls should I expect on the Houston to Newark route?
Expect roughly $34-$57 in tolls round-trip passing through TX, NJ, TN, KY, VA, OH, IN, IL, MO, AR, OK, GA, SC, NC. Most rate quotes either include tolls in the line-haul or bill them as a separate pass-through — ask your dispatcher to confirm which model applies to your lane.
When are rates highest on the Houston to Newark 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). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Should I use team drivers for the Houston to Newark lane?
At 1,834 miles, this route exceeds a solo driver's hours-of-service limits and requires at least one 10-hour break, adding roughly 14-18 hours to transit. Team drivers typically deliver in 20-24 hours — nearly half the solo transit — at a 20-35% rate premium. For time-critical freight over 1,200 miles, teams generally pay for themselves.
Get Exact Rates for Houston to Newark
We maintain working relationships with 88+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Houston–Newark 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