Freight Shipping from New Orleans to Joliet
Ship freight from New Orleans, LA to Joliet, IL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,258-$2,783, LTL from $778-$1,293. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,050 mi
Drive Time
19 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,258-$2,783
LTL Rate Est.
$778-$1,293
New Orleans to Joliet Freight Corridor
New Orleans commands the mouth of the Mississippi River, the most important commercial waterway in the Western Hemisphere. The Port of South Louisiana complex (stretching from New Orleans to Baton Rouge) handles more tonnage than any other port district in the US, with grain exports from the Midwest heartland meeting oceangoing vessels at 60+ terminals along the river. The city's petrochemical corridor generates hazmat tanker freight on an industrial scale, while the tourism economy demands a constant flow of food, beverage, and hospitality supplies.
Joliet and its surrounding Will County communities sit atop the most concentrated intermodal and distribution infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere. The CenterPoint Intermodal Center, spanning over 6,000 acres, combines UP's Global IV facility with over 30 million square feet of distribution space occupied by Walmart, Amazon, IKEA, and dozens of other major shippers. This is where West Coast container imports transition from rail to truck for final-mile delivery across the Midwest and Northeast.
The New Orleans-to-Joliet corridor spans 1,050 miles via I-55. This lane connects petrochemicals and port operations freight from the New Orleans market to intermodal logistics and warehousing & distribution demand in Joliet. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from New Orleans
New Orleans's economy is driven by petrochemicals, port operations, tourism & hospitality, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
petroleum products
chemical products
grain exports
coffee (re-export)
seafood
rubber & plastics
What Joliet Receives
Joliet's intermodal logistics, warehousing & distribution, e-commerce fulfillment sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like New Orleans.
containerized imports (from West Coast)
raw materials
food products
retail merchandise
industrial supplies
automotive components
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between New Orleans and Joliet, 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.
$2,258-$2,783 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.
$2,783-$3,518 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,308-$4,463 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.
$778-$1,293 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the New Orleans to Joliet lane (1,050 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,258-$2,783 | 19 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $778-$1,293 | 21-23 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,413-$4,725 | 13 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,418-$1,943 | 22-24 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both New Orleans and Joliet that drive volume on this lane.
Port of New Orleans
Entergy
Folgers/J.M. Smucker (coffee roasting)
Walmart (Elwood Mega-DC)
Amazon (CenterPoint)
IKEA Distribution
Shipping Tips for New Orleans to Joliet
New Orleans Seasonal Advisory
Mardi Gras (February-March) drives a spike in food service and event freight. Hurricane season (June-November) can disrupt port and refinery operations for weeks. Grain export season peaks October through January as the harvest moves downriver.
Joliet Seasonal Advisory
Q4 holiday freight creates near-gridlock conditions on I-80 and I-55 as intermodal volume peaks. January sees a dramatic drop-off. Spring produce season restocks create a secondary peak in March-April.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,050 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 19 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.
New Orleans to Joliet Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from New Orleans to Joliet?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from New Orleans, LA to Joliet, IL currently range from $2,258-$2,783 for a standard dry van load over the 1,050-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $778-$1,293 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 New Orleans to Joliet?
Standard FTL transit from New Orleans to Joliet is approximately 19 hrs by truck over 1,050 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 New Orleans to Joliet freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. New Orleans commonly ships petroleum products, chemical products, grain exports, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Joliet commonly receives containerized imports (from West Coast), raw materials, food products. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Joliet to New Orleans?
Yes. Joliet is a strong outbound market shipping redistributed consumer goods, intermodal containers, packaged foods. Carriers returning from Joliet to New Orleans can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the New Orleans-to-Joliet lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from New Orleans to Joliet?
The New Orleans-to-Joliet corridor handles a diverse freight mix. New Orleans's top outbound commodities include petroleum products, chemical products, grain exports, coffee (re-export), seafood, rubber & plastics. Joliet's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (from West Coast), raw materials, food products, retail merchandise, industrial supplies, automotive components. Industries driving this lane include petrochemicals and port operations from New Orleans and intermodal logistics and warehousing & distribution in Joliet.
Get Exact Rates for New Orleans to Joliet
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the New Orleans to Joliet lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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