Freight Shipping from Milwaukee to Evansville
Ship freight from Milwaukee, WI to Evansville, IN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $980-$1,208, LTL from $451-$788. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
456 mi
Drive Time
8 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$980-$1,208
LTL Rate Est.
$451-$788
Milwaukee to Evansville Freight Corridor
Milwaukee is a manufacturing powerhouse that punches well above its population weight in freight generation. Rockwell Automation, Harley-Davidson, GE Healthcare, and Briggs & Stratton all maintain major operations here, creating a diverse mix of industrial freight that includes everything from motorcycles to MRI machines. The city's position on I-94 between Chicago and Minneapolis places it on one of the Midwest's highest-volume freight corridors, while the Port of Milwaukee provides Great Lakes shipping access for bulk commodities.
Evansville anchors the tri-state corner where Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois meet, and its freight economy revolves around Toyota's massive Princeton plant that builds Highlanders and Sequoias for the North American market. Berry Global, the world's largest plastics packaging company, is headquartered here and operates multiple manufacturing facilities generating steady dry van volume. The Port of Indiana-Mount Vernon on the Ohio River adds barge-to-truck intermodal capabilities for bulk freight.
The Milwaukee-to-Evansville corridor spans 456 miles via I-94, I-43, I-69, US-41. This lane connects manufacturing (engines, controls) and brewing & food processing freight from the Milwaukee market to automotive manufacturing and plastics & packaging demand in Evansville. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Milwaukee
Milwaukee's economy is driven by manufacturing (engines, controls), brewing & food processing, healthcare, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
engines & power systems (Briggs & Stratton)
electrical controls (Rockwell)
processed foods & beverages
industrial machinery
medical devices
paper products
What Evansville Receives
Evansville's automotive manufacturing, plastics & packaging, pharmaceutical sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Milwaukee.
automotive components
plastic resins
aluminum ingots
steel coils
glass
electronic assemblies
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Milwaukee and Evansville, 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.
$980-$1,208 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.
$1,208-$1,528 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.
$1,300-$1,664 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.
$451-$788 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Milwaukee to Evansville lane (456 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $980-$1,208 | 8 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $451-$788 | 10-12 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,482-$2,052 | 6 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Milwaukee and Evansville that drive volume on this lane.
Rockwell Automation (HQ)
Harley-Davidson (HQ)
Kohl's (Menomonee Falls)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana
Berry Global (HQ)
Alcoa Warrick Operations
Shipping Tips for Milwaukee to Evansville
Milwaukee Seasonal Advisory
Manufacturing runs year-round with summer maintenance shutdowns at some plants. Harley-Davidson production peaks in spring for summer riding season deliveries. Kohl's distribution surges during Q4 holiday season. Lake Michigan port operations shut down mid-December through mid-March due to ice.
Evansville Seasonal Advisory
Toyota production runs 50 weeks per year with brief shutdowns in July and late December. Aluminum smelter output is year-round. Ohio River barge traffic slows during low-water periods in late summer and early fall.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 456 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.
Milwaukee to Evansville Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Milwaukee to Evansville?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Milwaukee, WI to Evansville, IN currently range from $980-$1,208 for a standard dry van load over the 456-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $451-$788 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 Milwaukee to Evansville?
Standard FTL transit from Milwaukee to Evansville is approximately 8 hrs by truck over 456 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 Milwaukee to Evansville freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Milwaukee commonly ships engines & power systems (Briggs & Stratton), electrical controls (Rockwell), processed foods & beverages, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Evansville commonly receives automotive components, plastic resins, aluminum ingots. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Evansville to Milwaukee?
Yes. Evansville is a strong outbound market shipping Toyota SUVs, plastic packaging, aluminum products. Carriers returning from Evansville to Milwaukee can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Milwaukee-to-Evansville lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Milwaukee to Evansville?
The Milwaukee-to-Evansville corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Milwaukee's top outbound commodities include engines & power systems (Briggs & Stratton), electrical controls (Rockwell), processed foods & beverages, industrial machinery, medical devices, paper products. Evansville's primary inbound freight includes automotive components, plastic resins, aluminum ingots, steel coils, glass, electronic assemblies. Industries driving this lane include manufacturing (engines, controls) and brewing & food processing from Milwaukee and automotive manufacturing and plastics & packaging in Evansville.
Get Exact Rates for Milwaukee to Evansville
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