Freight Shipping from New Orleans to Mobile
Ship freight from New Orleans, LA to Mobile, AL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $368-$453, LTL from $294-$545. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
171 mi
Drive Time
3 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$368-$453
LTL Rate Est.
$294-$545
Fresh Food Lane
New Orleans → Mobile Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
150–170
running this lane
Weekly Loads
88–103
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.67
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
$1–$2 one-way passing through LA, AL. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
New Orleans to Mobile 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.
Mobile is the Gulf Coast's overlooked freight powerhouse. The Port of Mobile handles 60+ million tons annually and the Airbus A320 final assembly line creates a unique mix of containerized imports, oversize aerospace cargo, and bulk commodities. The AM/NS Calvert steel mill (a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel) is one of the most advanced in North America, generating heavy flatbed volume on I-65 northbound.
The New Orleans-to-Mobile corridor spans 171 miles via I-10. This lane connects petrochemicals and port operations freight from the New Orleans market to shipbuilding and petrochemicals demand in Mobile. 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 Mobile Receives
Mobile's shipbuilding, petrochemicals, aerospace assembly sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like New Orleans.
steel plate & beams
aircraft components
crude oil
containerized imports
industrial machinery
raw chemicals
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between New Orleans and Mobile, 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.
$368-$453 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.
$453-$573 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.
$487-$624 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$539-$727 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the New Orleans to Mobile lane (171 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $368-$453 | 3 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $294-$545 | 5-7 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $556-$770 | 2 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both New Orleans and Mobile that drive volume on this lane.
Port of New Orleans
Entergy
Folgers/J.M. Smucker (coffee roasting)
Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility
Austal USA
AM/NS Calvert Steel
Shipping Tips for New Orleans to Mobile
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.
Mobile Seasonal Advisory
Hurricane season (June-November) can shut down port operations for days, creating massive post-storm freight surges. Shrimp season drives reefer demand from May through October.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 171 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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of New Orleans and Mobile — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
New Orleans, LA
- Metro Population
- 1.3M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.20-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-10, I-55, I-310
- Rail / Intermodal
- NS New Orleans Intermodal; CN/IC New Orleans Gateway
- Port Access
- Port of New Orleans (0 mi) / Port of South Louisiana (30 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Elmwood/Harahan, New Orleans East/I-10, Westwego/Harvey Canal
“The Mississippi River grain elevator system allows Midwest farmers to move corn and soybeans by barge to New Orleans at roughly one-third the cost of trucking. But the truck-to-barge transfer points create concentrated freight demand at river terminals that savvy carriers exploit for premium drayage rates.”
Destination
Mobile, AL
- Metro Population
- 430K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-10, I-65, US-98
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Mobile Terminal; APM Terminals Mobile
- Port Access
- Port of Mobile (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Theodore Industrial Canal, Brookley Aeroplex
“The I-10/I-65 interchange south of Mobile is one of the most capacity-constrained freight corridors on the Gulf Coast. Carriers staging at the port often wait 4-6 hours for container pickup, so smart brokers build dwell time into their rate calculations.”
Return Loads from Mobile
Backhaul from Mobile to New Orleans requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Mobile
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
New Orleans to Mobile Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from New Orleans to Mobile?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from New Orleans, LA to Mobile, AL currently range $368-$453 (roughly $2.17-$2.67 per mile over 171 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $294-$545 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 New Orleans to Mobile?
Standard FTL transit from New Orleans to Mobile is approximately 3 hrs by truck over 171 miles, with 1 typical fuel stop 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%.
What equipment do I need for New Orleans to Mobile 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. Mobile commonly receives steel plate & beams, aircraft components, crude oil. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Mobile to New Orleans?
Moderate backhaul (scored 55/100 based on Mobile's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Mobile to New Orleans requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Mobile's top outbound commodities — lumber & timber, petrochemicals, aircraft assemblies — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from New Orleans to Mobile?
The New Orleans-to-Mobile corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. New Orleans's top outbound commodities include petroleum products, chemical products, grain exports, coffee (re-export), seafood, rubber & plastics. Mobile's primary inbound freight includes steel plate & beams, aircraft components, crude oil, containerized imports, industrial machinery, raw chemicals. Industries driving this lane include petrochemicals and port operations from New Orleans and shipbuilding and petrochemicals in Mobile.
When are rates highest on the New Orleans to Mobile lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to petrochemicals and port operations cycles. Key periods: Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM pickups when possible.
Can freight from New Orleans to Mobile be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 171 miles (3 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the New Orleans-to-Mobile lane in one shift. Same-day delivery requires booking before 9 AM local time at origin and confirming dock availability at destination. Expedited service runs 3 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for New Orleans to Mobile
We maintain working relationships with 150+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the New Orleans–Mobile corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts