Freight Shipping from Nashville to Tulsa
Ship freight from Nashville, TN to Tulsa, OK with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,436-$1,770, LTL from $567-$968. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
668 mi
Drive Time
12 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,436-$1,770
LTL Rate Est.
$567-$968
Nashville to Tulsa Freight Corridor
Nashville has emerged as one of America's fastest-growing freight markets, fueled by explosive population growth and a diversified economy anchored by healthcare and automotive. Nissan's Smyrna assembly plant — the most productive auto plant in North America — builds 640,000+ vehicles annually, while HCA Healthcare's headquarters drives medical supply distribution across 180+ hospitals. The I-40/I-65/I-24 triple junction gives Nashville reach to virtually every major market east of the Rockies.
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 Nashville-to-Tulsa corridor spans 668 miles via I-40, I-65, I-44, US-75. This lane connects healthcare and music & entertainment freight from the Nashville 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 Nashville
Nashville's economy is driven by healthcare, music & entertainment, automotive manufacturing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
healthcare products
automotive parts (Nissan)
consumer goods
publishing & media
processed foods
building materials
What Tulsa Receives
Tulsa's aerospace manufacturing, energy, steel fabrication sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Nashville.
crude oil
raw steel
aircraft sub-assemblies
chemicals
electronic components
packaging materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Nashville 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.
$1,436-$1,770 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.
$1,904-$2,438 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,104-$2,839 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.
$567-$968 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Nashville to Tulsa lane (668 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,436-$1,770 | 12 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $567-$968 | 14-16 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,171-$3,006 | 8 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $902-$1,236 | 15-17 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Nashville and Tulsa that drive volume on this lane.
Nissan North America (HQ & Smyrna Plant)
HCA Healthcare (HQ)
Bridgestone Americas (HQ)
American Airlines Maintenance Base
NORDAM Group
Holly Frontier Refining
Shipping Tips for Nashville to Tulsa
Nashville Seasonal Advisory
Nissan production runs year-round with brief shutdowns in July and December. Healthcare supply distribution peaks during flu season (October-March). The massive construction boom for Nashville's growth creates steady building material demand March through November.
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 668-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.
Nashville to Tulsa Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Nashville to Tulsa?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Nashville, TN to Tulsa, OK currently range from $1,436-$1,770 for a standard dry van load over the 668-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $567-$968 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 Nashville to Tulsa?
Standard FTL transit from Nashville to Tulsa is approximately 12 hrs by truck over 668 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 Nashville to Tulsa freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Nashville commonly ships healthcare products, automotive parts (Nissan), consumer goods, 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 Nashville?
Yes. Tulsa is a strong outbound market shipping aircraft components, refined fuels, steel pipe & fittings. Carriers returning from Tulsa to Nashville can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Nashville-to-Tulsa lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Nashville to Tulsa?
The Nashville-to-Tulsa corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Nashville's top outbound commodities include healthcare products, automotive parts (Nissan), consumer goods, publishing & media, processed foods, building materials. Tulsa's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, raw steel, aircraft sub-assemblies, chemicals, electronic components, packaging materials. Industries driving this lane include healthcare and music & entertainment from Nashville and aerospace manufacturing and energy in Tulsa.
Get Exact Rates for Nashville to Tulsa
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Nashville to Tulsa lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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