Freight Shipping from Houston to Tulsa
Ship freight from Houston, TX to Tulsa, OK with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,238-$1,526, LTL from $517-$890. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
576 mi
Drive Time
10 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,238-$1,526
LTL Rate Est.
$517-$890
Houston to Tulsa 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.
Tulsa is the aerospace maintenance capital of the central U.S., with American Airlines operating its largest MRO facility here — capable of servicing widebody aircraft. The Port of Catoosa, America's most inland river port, connects Tulsa to the Gulf of Mexico via the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, enabling barge-to-truck transloading for heavy industrial freight. The city's legacy oil refining infrastructure creates steady tanker and hazmat volumes.
The Houston-to-Tulsa corridor spans 576 miles via I-10, I-45, I-44, US-75. This lane connects oil & gas and petrochemicals freight from the Houston market to aerospace manufacturing and energy demand in Tulsa. 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 Tulsa Receives
Tulsa's aerospace manufacturing, energy, steel fabrication sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Houston.
crude oil
raw steel
aircraft sub-assemblies
chemicals
electronic components
packaging materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Houston and Tulsa, 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.
$1,238-$1,526 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.
$1,642-$2,102 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,814-$2,448 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.
$517-$890 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Houston to Tulsa lane (576 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,238-$1,526 | 10 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $517-$890 | 12-14 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,872-$2,592 | 7 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $778-$1,066 | 13-15 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Houston and Tulsa that drive volume on this lane.
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
American Airlines Maintenance Base
NORDAM Group
Holly Frontier Refining
Shipping Tips for Houston to Tulsa
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.
Tulsa Seasonal Advisory
Aerospace MRO work peaks during winter when airlines pull aircraft from service for heavy maintenance checks. Refinery output is steady but turnaround seasons (spring and fall) temporarily reduce outbound tanker volumes while increasing inbound equipment freight.
Overnight Transit
This 576-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 Tulsa Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Houston to Tulsa?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Houston, TX to Tulsa, OK currently range from $1,238-$1,526 for a standard dry van load over the 576-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $517-$890 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 Tulsa?
Standard FTL transit from Houston to Tulsa is approximately 10 hrs by truck over 576 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 Tulsa freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Houston commonly ships refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Tulsa commonly receives crude oil, raw steel, aircraft sub-assemblies. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Tulsa to Houston?
Yes. Tulsa is a strong outbound market shipping aircraft components, refined fuels, steel pipe & fittings. Carriers returning from Tulsa to Houston can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Houston-to-Tulsa lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Houston to Tulsa?
The Houston-to-Tulsa corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Houston's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, oilfield equipment, LNG equipment, medical devices. Tulsa's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, raw steel, aircraft sub-assemblies, chemicals, electronic components, packaging materials. Industries driving this lane include oil & gas and petrochemicals from Houston and aerospace manufacturing and energy in Tulsa.
Get Exact Rates for Houston to Tulsa
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Houston to Tulsa lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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