Freight Shipping from Little Rock to Huntsville
Ship freight from Little Rock, AR to Huntsville, AL 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
Little Rock to Huntsville 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.
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.
The Little Rock-to-Huntsville corridor spans 421 miles via I-40, I-30, I-65, US-72. This lane connects food processing and steel manufacturing freight from the Little Rock market to aerospace & defense and rocket propulsion demand in Huntsville. 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 Huntsville Receives
Huntsville's aerospace & defense, rocket propulsion, cybersecurity sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Little Rock.
raw aluminum & titanium
electronic components
specialized chemicals
lab equipment
semiconductor wafers
composite materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Little Rock and Huntsville, 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
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Required for temperature-sensitive freight including fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Maintains precise temperature control throughout transit.
$1,116-$1,410 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
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Little Rock to Huntsville 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 Little Rock and Huntsville that drive volume on this lane.
Dillard's (HQ)
Welspun Tubular
L'Oreal Manufacturing
Raytheon Technologies
Boeing Defense
Blue Origin
Shipping Tips for Little Rock to Huntsville
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.
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.
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.
Little Rock to Huntsville Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Little Rock to Huntsville?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Little Rock, AR to Huntsville, AL 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 Little Rock to Huntsville?
Standard FTL transit from Little Rock to Huntsville 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 Little Rock to Huntsville 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. Huntsville commonly receives raw aluminum & titanium, electronic components, specialized chemicals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Huntsville to Little Rock?
Yes. Huntsville is a strong outbound market shipping aerospace components, defense electronics, missile assemblies. Carriers returning from Huntsville to Little Rock can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Little Rock-to-Huntsville lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Little Rock to Huntsville?
The Little Rock-to-Huntsville 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. Huntsville's primary inbound freight includes raw aluminum & titanium, electronic components, specialized chemicals, lab equipment, semiconductor wafers, composite materials. Industries driving this lane include food processing and steel manufacturing from Little Rock and aerospace & defense and rocket propulsion in Huntsville.
Get Exact Rates for Little Rock to Huntsville
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