Freight Shipping from Kansas City to Springfield
Ship freight from Kansas City, KS to Springfield, MO with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $419-$517, LTL from $307-$566. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
195 mi
Drive Time
4 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$419-$517
LTL Rate Est.
$307-$566
Kansas City to Springfield 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.
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 Kansas City-to-Springfield corridor spans 195 miles via I-70, I-35, I-44, US-65. This lane connects logistics & distribution and automotive manufacturing freight from the Kansas City 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 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 Springfield Receives
Springfield's food & dairy processing, trucking & logistics, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Kansas City.
raw milk
livestock
steel & metals
packaging materials
consumer goods
lumber
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Kansas City 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.
$419-$517 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.
$517-$653 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.
$556-$712 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.
$307-$566 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Kansas City to Springfield lane (195 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $419-$517 | 4 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $307-$566 | 6-8 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $634-$878 | 2 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Kansas City and Springfield that drive volume on this lane.
General Motors Fairfax Assembly
Amazon (5+ facilities)
Cerner/Oracle Health
O'Reilly Auto Parts (HQ)
Bass Pro Shops (HQ)
Great Dane Trailers
Shipping Tips for Kansas City to Springfield
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.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 195 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.
Kansas City to Springfield Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Kansas City to Springfield?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Kansas City, KS to Springfield, MO currently range from $419-$517 for a standard dry van load over the 195-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $307-$566 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 Kansas City to Springfield?
Standard FTL transit from Kansas City to Springfield is approximately 4 hrs by truck over 195 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 Kansas City to Springfield 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. 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 Kansas City?
Yes. Springfield is a strong outbound market shipping dairy products, processed meats, trailer assemblies (Great Dane). Carriers returning from Springfield to Kansas City can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Kansas City-to-Springfield lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Kansas City to Springfield?
The Kansas City-to-Springfield corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Kansas City's top outbound commodities include automobiles (GM), animal health products, processed meats, grain mill products, consumer goods, aviation parts. Springfield's primary inbound freight includes raw milk, livestock, steel & metals, packaging materials, consumer goods, lumber. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution and automotive manufacturing from Kansas City and food & dairy processing and trucking & logistics in Springfield.
Get Exact Rates for Kansas City to Springfield
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Kansas City to Springfield lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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