Freight Shipping from New Orleans to Little Rock
Ship freight from New Orleans, LA to Little Rock, AR with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $993-$1,224, LTL from $454-$793. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
462 mi
Drive Time
8 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$993-$1,224
LTL Rate Est.
$454-$793
New Orleans to Little Rock 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.
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 New Orleans-to-Little Rock corridor spans 462 miles via I-10, I-55, I-40, I-30. This lane connects petrochemicals and port operations freight from the New Orleans 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 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 Little Rock Receives
Little Rock's food processing, steel manufacturing, defense sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like New Orleans.
raw steel
consumer goods
agricultural chemicals
petroleum products
packaging materials
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between New Orleans 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.
$993-$1,224 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.
$1,224-$1,548 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.
$1,317-$1,686 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,455-$1,964 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the New Orleans to Little Rock lane (462 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $993-$1,224 | 8 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $454-$793 | 10-12 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,502-$2,079 | 6 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both New Orleans and Little Rock that drive volume on this lane.
Port of New Orleans
Entergy
Folgers/J.M. Smucker (coffee roasting)
Dillard's (HQ)
Welspun Tubular
L'Oreal Manufacturing
Shipping Tips for New Orleans to Little Rock
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.
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 462 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.
New Orleans to Little Rock Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from New Orleans to Little Rock?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from New Orleans, LA to Little Rock, AR currently range from $993-$1,224 for a standard dry van load over the 462-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $454-$793 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 Little Rock?
Standard FTL transit from New Orleans to Little Rock is approximately 8 hrs by truck over 462 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 New Orleans to Little Rock 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. 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 New Orleans?
Yes. Little Rock is a strong outbound market shipping processed poultry, steel products, rice & grains. Carriers returning from Little Rock to New Orleans can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the New Orleans-to-Little Rock lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from New Orleans to Little Rock?
The New Orleans-to-Little Rock 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. Little Rock's primary inbound freight includes raw steel, consumer goods, agricultural chemicals, petroleum products, packaging materials, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include petrochemicals and port operations from New Orleans and food processing and steel manufacturing in Little Rock.
Get Exact Rates for New Orleans to Little Rock
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the New Orleans to Little Rock lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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