Freight Shipping from Little Rock to Tulsa
Ship freight from Little Rock, AR to Tulsa, OK with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $643-$792, LTL from $364-$654. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
299 mi
Drive Time
5 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$643-$792
LTL Rate Est.
$364-$654
Little Rock to Tulsa 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.
Tulsa is the aerospace maintenance capital of the central U.S., with American Airlines operating its largest MRO facility here — capable of servicing widebody aircraft. The Port of Catoosa, America's most inland river port, connects Tulsa to the Gulf of Mexico via the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, enabling barge-to-truck transloading for heavy industrial freight. The city's legacy oil refining infrastructure creates steady tanker and hazmat volumes.
The Little Rock-to-Tulsa corridor spans 299 miles via I-40, I-30, I-44, US-75. This lane connects food processing and steel manufacturing freight from the Little Rock market to aerospace manufacturing and energy demand in Tulsa. 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 Tulsa Receives
Tulsa's aerospace manufacturing, energy, steel fabrication sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Little Rock.
crude oil
raw steel
aircraft sub-assemblies
chemicals
electronic components
packaging materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Little Rock and Tulsa, 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.
$643-$792 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.
$792-$1,002 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.
$852-$1,091 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$942-$1,271 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Little Rock to Tulsa lane (299 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $643-$792 | 5 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $364-$654 | 7-9 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $972-$1,346 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Little Rock and Tulsa that drive volume on this lane.
Dillard's (HQ)
Welspun Tubular
L'Oreal Manufacturing
American Airlines Maintenance Base
NORDAM Group
Holly Frontier Refining
Shipping Tips for Little Rock to Tulsa
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.
Tulsa Seasonal Advisory
Aerospace MRO work peaks during winter when airlines pull aircraft from service for heavy maintenance checks. Refinery output is steady but turnaround seasons (spring and fall) temporarily reduce outbound tanker volumes while increasing inbound equipment freight.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 299 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 Tulsa Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Little Rock to Tulsa?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Little Rock, AR to Tulsa, OK currently range from $643-$792 for a standard dry van load over the 299-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $364-$654 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 Tulsa?
Standard FTL transit from Little Rock to Tulsa is approximately 5 hrs by truck over 299 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 Tulsa 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. Tulsa commonly receives crude oil, raw steel, aircraft sub-assemblies. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Tulsa to Little Rock?
Yes. Tulsa is a strong outbound market shipping aircraft components, refined fuels, steel pipe & fittings. Carriers returning from Tulsa to Little Rock can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Little Rock-to-Tulsa lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Little Rock to Tulsa?
The Little Rock-to-Tulsa 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. Tulsa's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, raw steel, aircraft sub-assemblies, chemicals, electronic components, packaging materials. Industries driving this lane include food processing and steel manufacturing from Little Rock and aerospace manufacturing and energy in Tulsa.
Get Exact Rates for Little Rock to Tulsa
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