Freight Shipping from Houston to Springfield
Ship freight from Houston, TX to Springfield, MO with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,477-$1,821, LTL from $578-$984. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
687 mi
Drive Time
12 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,477-$1,821
LTL Rate Est.
$578-$984
Houston to Springfield 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.
Springfield is the Ozarks' commercial hub and a trucking industry stronghold — it's home to O'Reilly Auto Parts and Bass Pro Shops headquarters, both of which operate massive distribution networks from the region. Great Dane's trailer manufacturing plant produces hundreds of new trailers monthly. The city's position on I-44 between St. Louis and Tulsa makes it a natural staging point for cross-country freight.
The Houston-to-Springfield corridor spans 687 miles via I-10, I-45, I-44, US-65. This lane connects oil & gas and petrochemicals freight from the Houston market to food & dairy processing and trucking & logistics demand in Springfield. 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 Springfield Receives
Springfield's food & dairy processing, trucking & logistics, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Houston.
raw milk
livestock
steel & metals
packaging materials
consumer goods
lumber
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Houston and Springfield, 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.
$1,477-$1,821 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.
$1,958-$2,508 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,164-$2,920 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.
$578-$984 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Houston to Springfield lane (687 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,477-$1,821 | 12 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $578-$984 | 14-16 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,233-$3,092 | 8 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $927-$1,271 | 15-17 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Houston and Springfield that drive volume on this lane.
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
O'Reilly Auto Parts (HQ)
Bass Pro Shops (HQ)
Great Dane Trailers
Shipping Tips for Houston to Springfield
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.
Springfield Seasonal Advisory
Dairy shipments run year-round but peak in spring when milk production is highest. Bass Pro Shops' holiday retail season (October-December) drives a surge in outbound e-commerce and LTL freight from their Springfield distribution campus.
Overnight Transit
This 687-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.
Houston to Springfield Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Houston to Springfield?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Houston, TX to Springfield, MO currently range from $1,477-$1,821 for a standard dry van load over the 687-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $578-$984 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 Springfield?
Standard FTL transit from Houston to Springfield is approximately 12 hrs by truck over 687 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 Springfield freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Houston commonly ships refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Springfield commonly receives raw milk, livestock, steel & metals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Springfield to Houston?
Yes. Springfield is a strong outbound market shipping dairy products, processed meats, trailer assemblies (Great Dane). Carriers returning from Springfield to Houston can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Houston-to-Springfield lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Houston to Springfield?
The Houston-to-Springfield corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Houston's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, oilfield equipment, LNG equipment, medical devices. Springfield's primary inbound freight includes raw milk, livestock, steel & metals, packaging materials, consumer goods, lumber. Industries driving this lane include oil & gas and petrochemicals from Houston and food & dairy processing and trucking & logistics in Springfield.
Get Exact Rates for Houston to Springfield
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Houston to Springfield lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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