Freight Shipping from Montgomery to Little Rock
Ship freight from Montgomery, AL to Little Rock, AR with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,066-$1,314, LTL from $473-$822. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
496 mi
Drive Time
9 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,066-$1,314
LTL Rate Est.
$473-$822
Montgomery to Little Rock Freight Corridor
Montgomery is Alabama's capital city and home to Hyundai's first U.S. manufacturing plant, which produces the Santa Cruz, Tucson, and Elantra for the entire North American market. The plant and its supplier network generate a massive JIT automotive supply chain that keeps flatbed and van carriers busy year-round. Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base adds defense logistics demand, while the surrounding Black Belt region's poultry operations create steady reefer freight. Montgomery's position at the I-65/I-85 junction makes it a natural crossroads for Southeast freight.
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 Montgomery-to-Little Rock corridor spans 496 miles via I-65, I-85, I-40, I-30. This lane connects automotive manufacturing (hyundai) and government (state capital) freight from the Montgomery 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 Montgomery
Montgomery's economy is driven by automotive manufacturing (hyundai), government (state capital), military (maxwell-gunter afb), generating consistent outbound freight demand.
Hyundai vehicles
automotive parts
processed poultry
government materials
military equipment
agricultural products
What Little Rock Receives
Little Rock's food processing, steel manufacturing, defense sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Montgomery.
raw steel
consumer goods
agricultural chemicals
petroleum products
packaging materials
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Montgomery 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.
$1,066-$1,314 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.
$1,314-$1,662 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.
$1,414-$1,810 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,562-$2,108 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Montgomery to Little Rock lane (496 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,066-$1,314 | 9 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $473-$822 | 11-13 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,612-$2,232 | 6 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Montgomery and Little Rock that drive volume on this lane.
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama
Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base
ALFA Insurance (HQ)
Dillard's (HQ)
Welspun Tubular
L'Oreal Manufacturing
Shipping Tips for Montgomery to Little Rock
Montgomery Seasonal Advisory
Automotive production runs year-round with brief summer and holiday shutdowns. Poultry processing is steady with modest seasonal variations. State government procurement cycles drive Q3-Q4 purchasing. Maxwell AFB training cycles create periodic freight surges.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 496 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.
Montgomery to Little Rock Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Montgomery to Little Rock?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Montgomery, AL to Little Rock, AR currently range from $1,066-$1,314 for a standard dry van load over the 496-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $473-$822 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 Montgomery to Little Rock?
Standard FTL transit from Montgomery to Little Rock is approximately 9 hrs by truck over 496 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 Montgomery to Little Rock freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Montgomery commonly ships Hyundai vehicles, automotive parts, processed poultry, 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 Montgomery?
Yes. Little Rock is a strong outbound market shipping processed poultry, steel products, rice & grains. Carriers returning from Little Rock to Montgomery can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Montgomery-to-Little Rock lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Montgomery to Little Rock?
The Montgomery-to-Little Rock corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Montgomery's top outbound commodities include Hyundai vehicles, automotive parts, processed poultry, government materials, military equipment, agricultural products. Little Rock's primary inbound freight includes raw steel, consumer goods, agricultural chemicals, petroleum products, packaging materials, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include automotive manufacturing (Hyundai) and government (state capital) from Montgomery and food processing and steel manufacturing in Little Rock.
Get Exact Rates for Montgomery to Little Rock
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Montgomery to Little Rock lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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