Freight Shipping from Minneapolis to Houston
Ship freight from Minneapolis, MN to Houston, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,956-$3,644, LTL from $956-$1,569. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,375 mi
Drive Time
25 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,956-$3,644
LTL Rate Est.
$956-$1,569
Minneapolis to Houston Freight Corridor
Minneapolis-St. Paul is the Upper Midwest's dominant freight hub, anchored by Fortune 500 shippers like Target, General Mills, 3M, and Medtronic. Target's distribution network alone generates thousands of truckloads weekly from its Midwest DCs. The Twin Cities' position at the intersection of I-94 and I-35 makes it the natural routing point for freight moving between Chicago, the Dakotas, and the Canadian border.
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 Minneapolis-to-Houston corridor spans 1,375 miles via I-94, I-35, I-10, I-45. This lane connects food processing & cpg and medical devices freight from the Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis
Minneapolis's economy is driven by food processing & cpg, medical devices, retail headquarters, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
processed foods & cereal
medical devices
retail distribution
agricultural products
machinery
printed materials
What Houston Receives
Houston's oil & gas, petrochemicals, healthcare (texas medical center) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Minneapolis.
crude oil
containerized imports
steel pipe
industrial chemicals
consumer goods
drilling equipment
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Minneapolis 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.
$2,956-$3,644 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.
$3,919-$5,019 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$4,331-$5,844 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.
$956-$1,569 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Minneapolis to Houston lane (1,375 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,956-$3,644 | 25 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $956-$1,569 | 27-29 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $4,469-$6,188 | 17 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,856-$2,544 | 28-30 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Minneapolis and Houston that drive volume on this lane.
General Mills
Target Corporation
Medtronic
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
Shipping Tips for Minneapolis to Houston
Minneapolis Seasonal Advisory
Harvest season (September-November) floods the market with grain trucks competing for capacity on I-94 and I-35. Winter weather from November through March regularly shuts down I-94 westbound, creating rate spikes and transit delays.
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.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,375 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 25 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
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.
Minneapolis to Houston Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Minneapolis to Houston?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Minneapolis, MN to Houston, TX currently range from $2,956-$3,644 for a standard dry van load over the 1,375-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $956-$1,569 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 Minneapolis to Houston?
Standard FTL transit from Minneapolis to Houston is approximately 25 hrs by truck over 1,375 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 Minneapolis to Houston freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Minneapolis commonly ships processed foods & cereal, medical devices, retail distribution, 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 Minneapolis?
Yes. Houston is a strong outbound market shipping refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins. Carriers returning from Houston to Minneapolis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Minneapolis-to-Houston lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Minneapolis to Houston?
The Minneapolis-to-Houston corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Minneapolis's top outbound commodities include processed foods & cereal, medical devices, retail distribution, agricultural products, machinery, printed materials. 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 & CPG and medical devices from Minneapolis and oil & gas and petrochemicals in Houston.
Get Exact Rates for Minneapolis to Houston
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