Freight Shipping from Little Rock to Houston
Ship freight from Little Rock, AR to Houston, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,086-$1,338, LTL from $478-$829. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
505 mi
Drive Time
9 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,086-$1,338
LTL Rate Est.
$478-$829
Little Rock to Houston 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.
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 Little Rock-to-Houston corridor spans 505 miles via I-40, I-30, I-10, I-45. This lane connects food processing and steel manufacturing freight from the Little Rock 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 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 Houston Receives
Houston's oil & gas, petrochemicals, healthcare (texas medical center) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Little Rock.
crude oil
containerized imports
steel pipe
industrial chemicals
consumer goods
drilling equipment
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Little Rock 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.
$1,086-$1,338 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.
$1,338-$1,692 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.
$1,439-$1,843 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,591-$2,146 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Little Rock to Houston lane (505 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,086-$1,338 | 9 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $478-$829 | 11-13 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,641-$2,273 | 6 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $682-$934 | 12-14 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Little Rock and Houston that drive volume on this lane.
Dillard's (HQ)
Welspun Tubular
L'Oreal Manufacturing
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
Shipping Tips for Little Rock to Houston
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.
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 505-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.
Little Rock to Houston Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Little Rock to Houston?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Little Rock, AR to Houston, TX currently range from $1,086-$1,338 for a standard dry van load over the 505-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $478-$829 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 Houston?
Standard FTL transit from Little Rock to Houston is approximately 9 hrs by truck over 505 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Little Rock to Houston 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. 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 Little Rock?
Yes. Houston is a strong outbound market shipping refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins. Carriers returning from Houston to Little Rock can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Little Rock-to-Houston lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Little Rock to Houston?
The Little Rock-to-Houston 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. Houston's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, steel pipe, industrial chemicals, consumer goods, drilling equipment. Industries driving this lane include food processing and steel manufacturing from Little Rock and oil & gas and petrochemicals in Houston.
Get Exact Rates for Little Rock to Houston
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Little Rock to Houston lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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