Freight Shipping from Minneapolis to Tulsa
Ship freight from Minneapolis, MN to Tulsa, OK with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,750-$2,157, LTL from $648-$1,092. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
814 mi
Drive Time
15 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,750-$2,157
LTL Rate Est.
$648-$1,092
Energy & Chemicals Route
Minneapolis → Tulsa Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
143–168
running this lane
Weekly Loads
195–211
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
55/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$9–$15 one-way passing through MN, OK, MO, AR. 2 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Minneapolis to Tulsa 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.
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 Minneapolis-to-Tulsa corridor spans 814 miles via I-94, I-35, I-44, US-75. This lane connects food processing & cpg and medical devices freight from the Minneapolis 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 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 Tulsa Receives
Tulsa's aerospace manufacturing, energy, steel fabrication sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Minneapolis.
crude oil
raw steel
aircraft sub-assemblies
chemicals
electronic components
packaging materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Minneapolis 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.
$1,750-$2,157 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.
$2,320-$2,971 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,564-$3,460 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.
$648-$1,092 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Minneapolis to Tulsa lane (814 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,750-$2,157 | 15 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $648-$1,092 | 17-19 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,646-$3,663 | 10 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,099-$1,506 | 18-20 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Minneapolis and Tulsa that drive volume on this lane.
General Mills
Target Corporation
Medtronic
American Airlines Maintenance Base
NORDAM Group
Holly Frontier Refining
Shipping Tips for Minneapolis to Tulsa
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.
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.
Overnight Transit
This 814-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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Minneapolis and Tulsa — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Minneapolis, MN
- Metro Population
- 3.7M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-94, I-35, I-494
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Midway Intermodal; UP Minneapolis Yard; CP Shoreham Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- Shakopee/Savage I-35 South, Rogers/I-94 West, Eagan/I-35E Corridor
“Minneapolis is a net-negative freight market — more goods flow in than out — which means carriers can often negotiate premium rates for outbound loads. Brokers who can offer consistent outbound volume from General Mills or 3M facilities have significant carrier recruitment advantages.”
Destination
Tulsa, OK
- Metro Population
- 1.0M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-44, US-75, US-169
- Rail / Intermodal
- Tulsa Port of Catoosa (McClellan-Kerr Waterway)
- Port Access
- Port of Catoosa (McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, 7 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Broken Arrow/US-169 South, Catoosa/Port Industrial Park, Tulsa International Airport Area
“The Port of Catoosa handles oversized cargo that can't move efficiently by highway alone — wind turbine components, industrial boilers, and heavy machinery arrive by barge and transfer to specialized heavy-haul carriers for final-mile delivery across the region.”
Return Loads from Tulsa
Backhaul from Tulsa to Minneapolis requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Tulsa
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Minneapolis to Tulsa Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Minneapolis to Tulsa?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Minneapolis, MN to Tulsa, OK currently range $1,750-$2,157 (roughly $2.17-$2.65 per mile over 814 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $648-$1,092 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced on this corridor, so booking 3-5 days out locks in the best pricing. Request a custom quote for exact rates.
How long does freight take from Minneapolis to Tulsa?
Standard FTL transit from Minneapolis to Tulsa is approximately 15 hrs by truck over 814 miles, with 2 typical fuel stops along the corridor. 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 via BNSF Midway Intermodal to Tulsa Port of Catoosa (McClellan-Kerr Waterway) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Minneapolis to Tulsa 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. 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 Minneapolis?
Moderate backhaul (scored 55/100 based on Tulsa's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Tulsa to Minneapolis requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Tulsa's top outbound commodities — aircraft components, refined fuels, steel pipe & fittings — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Minneapolis to Tulsa?
The Minneapolis-to-Tulsa corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Energy & Chemicals Route. Minneapolis's top outbound commodities include processed foods & cereal, medical devices, retail distribution, agricultural products, machinery, printed materials. 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 & CPG and medical devices from Minneapolis and aerospace manufacturing and energy in Tulsa.
When are rates highest on the Minneapolis to Tulsa lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to food processing & CPG and medical devices cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Minneapolis to Tulsa
We maintain working relationships with 143+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Minneapolis–Tulsa corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
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