Freight Shipping from Kansas City to Houston
Ship freight from Kansas City, KS to Houston, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,810-$2,231, LTL from $663-$1,116. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
842 mi
Drive Time
15 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,810-$2,231
LTL Rate Est.
$663-$1,116
Port Drayage Corridor
Kansas City → Houston Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
157–176
running this lane
Weekly Loads
231–243
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
66/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$13–$22 one-way passing through KS, TX, OK. 2 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.
Kansas City to Houston Freight Corridor
Kansas City is the geographic center of the continental US freight network and arguably the most important rail hub after Chicago. Four Class I railroads (BNSF, UP, NS, and KCS/CPKC) maintain major yards here, and the Logistics Park Kansas City in Edwardsville is one of the largest inland intermodal developments in North America. The city's central location means outbound freight can reach 85% of the US population within two days by truck, making it a magnet for e-commerce fulfillment and food distribution operations.
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.
The Kansas City-to-Houston corridor spans 842 miles via I-70, I-35, I-10, I-45. This lane connects logistics & distribution and automotive manufacturing freight from the Kansas City market to oil & gas and petrochemicals demand in Houston. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Kansas City
Kansas City's economy is driven by logistics & distribution, automotive manufacturing, animal health, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
automobiles (GM)
animal health products
processed meats
grain mill products
consumer goods
aviation parts
What Houston Receives
Houston's oil & gas, petrochemicals, healthcare (texas medical center) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Kansas City.
crude oil
containerized imports
steel pipe
industrial chemicals
consumer goods
drilling equipment
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Kansas City and Houston, 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.
$1,810-$2,231 estimated for this lane
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Required for temperature-sensitive freight including fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Maintains precise temperature control throughout transit.
$2,231-$2,821 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.
$2,400-$3,073 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,652-$3,579 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Kansas City to Houston lane (842 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,810-$2,231 | 15 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $663-$1,116 | 17-19 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,737-$3,789 | 10 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,137-$1,558 | 18-20 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Kansas City and Houston that drive volume on this lane.
General Motors Fairfax Assembly
Amazon (5+ facilities)
Cerner/Oracle Health
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
Shipping Tips for Kansas City to Houston
Kansas City Seasonal Advisory
Agricultural freight peaks during fall harvest. Holiday e-commerce fulfillment (October-December) strains outbound capacity. Severe weather on the Great Plains (tornadoes in spring, ice storms in winter) can temporarily shut down I-70 and I-35.
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.
Overnight Transit
This 842-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 Kansas City and Houston — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Kansas City, KS
- Metro Population
- 2.2M metro (KC metro)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-70, I-35, I-435
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Argentine Yard; UP Neff Yard; NS Kansas City Terminal; KCS Knoche Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- Edwardsville/I-435 (Logistics Park KC), Wyandotte County/I-70, Gardner/New Century
“CPKC's merger created the first single-railroad connection from Canada to Mexico through Kansas City, fundamentally reshaping north-south intermodal flows. Shippers moving freight between Mexico and the Midwest now have a rail option that bypasses congested Texas border crossings.”
Destination
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.”
Return Loads from Houston
Backhaul from Houston to Kansas City requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Houston
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Kansas City to Houston Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Kansas City to Houston?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Kansas City, KS to Houston, TX currently range $1,810-$2,231 (roughly $2.17-$2.66 per mile over 842 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $663-$1,116 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 Kansas City to Houston?
Standard FTL transit from Kansas City to Houston is approximately 15 hrs by truck over 842 miles, with 2 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 BNSF Argentine Yard to Union Pacific Settegast Yard takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Kansas City to Houston freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Kansas City commonly ships automobiles (GM), animal health products, processed meats, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Houston commonly receives crude oil, containerized imports, steel pipe. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Houston to Kansas City?
Moderate backhaul (scored 66/100 based on Houston's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Houston to Kansas City requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Houston's top outbound commodities — refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Kansas City to Houston?
The Kansas City-to-Houston corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Kansas City's top outbound commodities include automobiles (GM), animal health products, processed meats, grain mill products, consumer goods, aviation parts. Houston's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, steel pipe, industrial chemicals, consumer goods, drilling equipment. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution and automotive manufacturing from Kansas City and oil & gas and petrochemicals in Houston.
When are rates highest on the Kansas City to Houston lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to logistics & distribution and automotive manufacturing cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Kansas City to Houston
We maintain working relationships with 157+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Kansas City–Houston 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