Freight Shipping from Houston to Wichita
Ship freight from Houston, TX to Wichita, KS with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,563-$1,927, LTL from $600-$1,018. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
727 mi
Drive Time
13 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,563-$1,927
LTL Rate Est.
$600-$1,018
Fresh Food Lane
Houston → Wichita Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
133–150
running this lane
Weekly Loads
82–103
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
63/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$10–$17 one-way passing through TX, KS, MO, OK. 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 Wichita 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.
Wichita builds more aircraft than any other city in the world. Spirit AeroSystems fabricates fuselages for Boeing 737s and 787s, Textron assembles Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft, and the surrounding supply chain creates one of the most specialized freight markets in the country. Aircraft fuselage sections moving from Wichita to Boeing's Seattle and Charleston assembly lines are among the most valuable individual truckloads on American highways, each worth tens of millions of dollars.
The Houston-to-Wichita corridor spans 727 miles via I-10, I-45, I-35, I-135. This lane connects oil & gas and petrochemicals freight from the Houston market to aerospace manufacturing and aircraft assembly demand in Wichita. 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 Wichita Receives
Wichita's aerospace manufacturing, aircraft assembly, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Houston.
aluminum & composites
aircraft engines
avionics systems
hydraulic components
steel tubing
electronic wire harnesses
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Houston and Wichita, 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.
$1,563-$1,927 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.
$2,072-$2,654 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,290-$3,090 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.
$600-$1,018 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Houston to Wichita lane (727 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,563-$1,927 | 13 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $600-$1,018 | 15-17 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,363-$3,272 | 9 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $981-$1,345 | 16-18 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Houston and Wichita that drive volume on this lane.
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
Spirit AeroSystems
Textron Aviation (Cessna/Beechcraft)
Bombardier Learjet
Shipping Tips for Houston to Wichita
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.
Wichita Seasonal Advisory
Wheat harvest (June-July) creates intense but brief demand for grain trucks. Aerospace manufacturing maintains steady production schedules year-round. Oil field service activity fluctuates with crude prices, adding or subtracting flatbed demand.
Overnight Transit
This 727-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 Wichita — 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
Wichita, KS
- Metro Population
- 647K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-35, I-135, US-54/400
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Wichita Terminal
- Warehouse Districts
- South Wichita/McConnell AFB area, Park City/I-135 North
“Aircraft fuselage shipments from Spirit AeroSystems to Boeing travel on custom-designed "dreamlifter" trailers or oversize flatbeds with elaborate protective fixturing. These loads move on dedicated lanes with pre-surveyed routes, and carriers earn premium rates that reflect the catastrophic cost of any transit damage.”
Return Loads from Wichita
Backhaul from Wichita to Houston requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Wichita
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Houston to Wichita Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Houston to Wichita?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Houston, TX to Wichita, KS currently range $1,563-$1,927 (roughly $2.15-$2.65 per mile over 727 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $600-$1,018 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 Wichita?
Standard FTL transit from Houston to Wichita is approximately 13 hrs by truck over 727 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 BNSF Wichita Terminal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Houston to Wichita freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Houston commonly ships refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Wichita commonly receives aluminum & composites, aircraft engines, avionics systems. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Wichita to Houston?
Moderate backhaul (scored 63/100 based on Wichita's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Wichita to Houston requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Wichita's top outbound commodities — business jets & aircraft, aircraft components, wheat & grain — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Houston to Wichita?
The Houston-to-Wichita corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. Houston's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, oilfield equipment, LNG equipment, medical devices. Wichita's primary inbound freight includes aluminum & composites, aircraft engines, avionics systems, hydraulic components, steel tubing, electronic wire harnesses. Industries driving this lane include oil & gas and petrochemicals from Houston and aerospace manufacturing and aircraft assembly in Wichita.
When are rates highest on the Houston to Wichita 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 Wichita
We maintain working relationships with 133+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Houston–Wichita 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