Freight Shipping from Little Rock to Fort Worth
Ship freight from Little Rock, AR to Fort Worth, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $897-$1,105, LTL from $429-$754. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
417 mi
Drive Time
8 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$897-$1,105
LTL Rate Est.
$429-$754
Little Rock to Fort Worth Freight Corridor
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.
Fort Worth is the aerospace and rail logistics capital of Texas. Lockheed Martin's mile-long factory produces every F-35 Lightning II fighter jet sold worldwide, generating classified, oversize, and high-security freight that requires specialized carriers. BNSF Railway's headquarters and Alliance Texas — the nation's largest inland port — create one of the most sophisticated intermodal logistics ecosystems in North America. Bell Textron builds V-22 Ospreys and commercial helicopters, adding to the aerospace freight base.
The Little Rock-to-Fort Worth corridor spans 417 miles via I-30. This lane connects food processing and steel manufacturing freight from the Little Rock market to aerospace & defense and rail logistics demand in Fort Worth. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Little Rock
Little Rock's economy is driven by food processing, steel manufacturing, defense, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
processed poultry
steel products
rice & grains
paper & tissue products
military equipment
packaged foods
What Fort Worth Receives
Fort Worth's aerospace & defense, rail logistics, ranching & agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Little Rock.
aerospace sub-assemblies
raw metals
containerized imports (via Alliance)
consumer goods
building materials
fuel
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Little Rock and Fort Worth, 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.
$897-$1,105 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.
$1,105-$1,397 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.
$1,188-$1,522 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.
$429-$754 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Little Rock to Fort Worth lane (417 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $897-$1,105 | 8 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $429-$754 | 10-12 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,355-$1,877 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Little Rock and Fort Worth that drive volume on this lane.
Dillard's (HQ)
Welspun Tubular
L'Oreal Manufacturing
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (F-35)
Bell Textron (HQ)
BNSF Railway (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Little Rock to Fort Worth
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.
Fort Worth Seasonal Advisory
Defense freight follows federal fiscal year-end spending (September rush). BNSF intermodal volumes peak during Q4 import season. Livestock and agricultural freight from the Fort Worth Stockyards region is strongest March through October.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 417 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.
Little Rock to Fort Worth Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Little Rock to Fort Worth?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Little Rock, AR to Fort Worth, TX currently range from $897-$1,105 for a standard dry van load over the 417-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $429-$754 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 Little Rock to Fort Worth?
Standard FTL transit from Little Rock to Fort Worth is approximately 8 hrs by truck over 417 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 Little Rock to Fort Worth freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Little Rock commonly ships processed poultry, steel products, rice & grains, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Fort Worth commonly receives aerospace sub-assemblies, raw metals, containerized imports (via Alliance). Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Fort Worth to Little Rock?
Yes. Fort Worth is a strong outbound market shipping F-35 fighter jet components, Bell helicopters, grain & cattle. Carriers returning from Fort Worth to Little Rock can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Little Rock-to-Fort Worth lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Little Rock to Fort Worth?
The Little Rock-to-Fort Worth corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Little Rock's top outbound commodities include processed poultry, steel products, rice & grains, paper & tissue products, military equipment, packaged foods. Fort Worth's primary inbound freight includes aerospace sub-assemblies, raw metals, containerized imports (via Alliance), consumer goods, building materials, fuel. Industries driving this lane include food processing and steel manufacturing from Little Rock and aerospace & defense and rail logistics in Fort Worth.
Get Exact Rates for Little Rock to Fort Worth
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Little Rock to Fort Worth lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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