Freight Shipping from Lubbock to Little Rock
Ship freight from Lubbock, TX to Little Rock, AR with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,544-$1,903, LTL from $595-$1,010. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
718 mi
Drive Time
13 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,544-$1,903
LTL Rate Est.
$595-$1,010
Lubbock to Little Rock Freight Corridor
Lubbock is the hub of the South Plains cotton empire, producing more cotton than any metro area in the United States. The Plains Cotton Cooperative Association processes millions of bales that ship from here to textile mills across the Southeast and to export terminals on the Gulf Coast. Texas Tech University is the region's largest employer, and its agricultural research programs have helped make the South Plains one of the most productive dryland farming regions in the world. Wind energy development across the open plains has added a significant new freight category.
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.
The Lubbock-to-Little Rock corridor spans 718 miles via I-27, US-84, I-40, I-30. This lane connects cotton farming and higher education (texas tech) freight from the Lubbock market to food processing and steel manufacturing demand in Little Rock. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Lubbock
Lubbock's economy is driven by cotton farming, higher education (texas tech), healthcare, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
raw cotton
cottonseed
grain sorghum
wine grapes
cattle
wind turbine components
What Little Rock Receives
Little Rock's food processing, steel manufacturing, defense sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Lubbock.
raw steel
consumer goods
agricultural chemicals
petroleum products
packaging materials
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Lubbock and Little Rock, 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.
$1,544-$1,903 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.
$2,046-$2,621 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,262-$3,052 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.
$595-$1,010 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Lubbock to Little Rock lane (718 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,544-$1,903 | 13 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $595-$1,010 | 15-17 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,334-$3,231 | 9 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $969-$1,328 | 16-18 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Lubbock and Little Rock that drive volume on this lane.
Plains Cotton Cooperative (PCCA)
United Supermarkets (HQ)
Texas Tech University
Dillard's (HQ)
Welspun Tubular
L'Oreal Manufacturing
Shipping Tips for Lubbock to Little Rock
Lubbock Seasonal Advisory
Cotton harvest (October-January) dominates the freight calendar with intense 90-day demand. Grain sorghum harvest follows in fall. Wind turbine installation (spring through fall) provides off-season freight. Texas Tech football season (September-November) creates modest local delivery increases.
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.
Overnight Transit
This 718-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.
Lubbock to Little Rock Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Lubbock to Little Rock?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Lubbock, TX to Little Rock, AR currently range from $1,544-$1,903 for a standard dry van load over the 718-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $595-$1,010 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 Lubbock to Little Rock?
Standard FTL transit from Lubbock to Little Rock is approximately 13 hrs by truck over 718 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 Lubbock to Little Rock freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Lubbock commonly ships raw cotton, cottonseed, grain sorghum, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Little Rock commonly receives raw steel, consumer goods, agricultural chemicals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Little Rock to Lubbock?
Yes. Little Rock is a strong outbound market shipping processed poultry, steel products, rice & grains. Carriers returning from Little Rock to Lubbock can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Lubbock-to-Little Rock lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Lubbock to Little Rock?
The Lubbock-to-Little Rock corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Lubbock's top outbound commodities include raw cotton, cottonseed, grain sorghum, wine grapes, cattle, wind turbine components. Little Rock's primary inbound freight includes raw steel, consumer goods, agricultural chemicals, petroleum products, packaging materials, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include cotton farming and higher education (Texas Tech) from Lubbock and food processing and steel manufacturing in Little Rock.
Get Exact Rates for Lubbock to Little Rock
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