Freight Shipping from Huntsville to Little Rock
Ship freight from Huntsville, AL to Little Rock, AR with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $905-$1,116, LTL from $432-$758. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
421 mi
Drive Time
8 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$905-$1,116
LTL Rate Est.
$432-$758
Huntsville to Little Rock Freight Corridor
Huntsville's freight profile is unlike any other mid-sized city in the Southeast. Redstone Arsenal and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center generate a constant flow of oversize, high-value defense and aerospace cargo requiring specialized carriers with security clearances. The new Mazda Toyota joint venture plant adds 300,000 vehicles annually, creating dedicated automotive lanes to ports in Brunswick and Jacksonville.
Little Rock benefits from its central US location at the junction of I-40 and I-30, putting it within a day's drive of Dallas, Memphis, Kansas City, and St. Louis. The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System connects the metro to inland barge traffic, creating intermodal opportunities for bulk shippers. The North Little Rock rail yards are among the busiest in the mid-South, with UP and BNSF both running major classification operations.
The Huntsville-to-Little Rock corridor spans 421 miles via I-65, US-72, I-40, I-30. This lane connects aerospace & defense and rocket propulsion freight from the Huntsville market to food processing and steel manufacturing demand in Little Rock. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Huntsville
Huntsville's economy is driven by aerospace & defense, rocket propulsion, cybersecurity, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
aerospace components
defense electronics
missile assemblies
precision instruments
automotive parts
cotton
What Little Rock Receives
Little Rock's food processing, steel manufacturing, defense sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Huntsville.
raw steel
consumer goods
agricultural chemicals
petroleum products
packaging materials
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Huntsville and Little Rock, 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.
$905-$1,116 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.
$1,200-$1,537 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,326-$1,789 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.
$432-$758 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Huntsville to Little Rock lane (421 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $905-$1,116 | 8 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $432-$758 | 10-12 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,368-$1,895 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Huntsville and Little Rock that drive volume on this lane.
Raytheon Technologies
Boeing Defense
Blue Origin
Dillard's (HQ)
Welspun Tubular
L'Oreal Manufacturing
Shipping Tips for Huntsville to Little Rock
Huntsville Seasonal Advisory
Government fiscal year-end (September) drives a freight surge as defense contractors rush shipments before budget deadlines. Automotive production follows a steady cadence with brief shutdowns in July and late December.
Little Rock Seasonal Advisory
Rice harvest (August-October) drives bulk and hopper trailer demand. Post-Thanksgiving through Christmas, Dillard's distribution network creates retail surge freight on lanes to the Southeast and Midwest.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 421 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
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.
Huntsville to Little Rock Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Huntsville to Little Rock?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Huntsville, AL to Little Rock, AR currently range from $905-$1,116 for a standard dry van load over the 421-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $432-$758 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 Huntsville to Little Rock?
Standard FTL transit from Huntsville to Little Rock is approximately 8 hrs by truck over 421 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%.
What equipment do I need for Huntsville to Little Rock freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Huntsville commonly ships aerospace components, defense electronics, missile assemblies, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Little Rock commonly receives raw steel, consumer goods, agricultural chemicals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Little Rock to Huntsville?
Yes. Little Rock is a strong outbound market shipping processed poultry, steel products, rice & grains. Carriers returning from Little Rock to Huntsville can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Huntsville-to-Little Rock lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Huntsville to Little Rock?
The Huntsville-to-Little Rock corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Huntsville's top outbound commodities include aerospace components, defense electronics, missile assemblies, precision instruments, automotive parts, cotton. Little Rock's primary inbound freight includes raw steel, consumer goods, agricultural chemicals, petroleum products, packaging materials, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include aerospace & defense and rocket propulsion from Huntsville and food processing and steel manufacturing in Little Rock.
Get Exact Rates for Huntsville to Little Rock
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