Freight Shipping from New Orleans to Shreveport
Ship freight from New Orleans, LA to Shreveport, LA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $785-$967, LTL from $401-$710. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
365 mi
Drive Time
7 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$785-$967
LTL Rate Est.
$401-$710
New Orleans to Shreveport 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.
Shreveport sits at the crossroads of I-20 and I-49, serving as the commercial hub for the Ark-La-Tex region where Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas converge. The Haynesville Shale natural gas play transformed the local economy and freight market, with pipe yards and drilling supply companies generating heavy flatbed and specialized oilfield equipment loads. Barksdale Air Force Base, home to the B-52 bomber fleet and Global Strike Command, creates steady military freight demand.
The New Orleans-to-Shreveport corridor spans 365 miles via I-10, I-55, I-20, I-49. This lane connects petrochemicals and port operations freight from the New Orleans market to oil & gas services and gaming & entertainment demand in Shreveport. 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 Shreveport Receives
Shreveport's oil & gas services, gaming & entertainment, military (barksdale afb) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like New Orleans.
oil field supplies
drilling equipment
casino supplies
consumer goods
military equipment
construction materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between New Orleans and Shreveport, 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.
$785-$967 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.
$967-$1,223 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.
$1,040-$1,332 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,150-$1,551 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the New Orleans to Shreveport lane (365 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $785-$967 | 7 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $401-$710 | 9-11 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,186-$1,643 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both New Orleans and Shreveport that drive volume on this lane.
Port of New Orleans
Entergy
Folgers/J.M. Smucker (coffee roasting)
Barksdale Air Force Base
Benteler Steel & Tube
Fibrebond Corporation
Shipping Tips for New Orleans to Shreveport
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.
Shreveport Seasonal Advisory
Oil and gas activity fluctuates with commodity prices rather than seasons. Timber harvesting runs year-round but slows during extended wet periods. Military freight from Barksdale maintains steady cadence with fiscal year-end (September) spikes.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 365 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 Shreveport Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from New Orleans to Shreveport?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from New Orleans, LA to Shreveport, LA currently range from $785-$967 for a standard dry van load over the 365-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $401-$710 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 Shreveport?
Standard FTL transit from New Orleans to Shreveport is approximately 7 hrs by truck over 365 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 Shreveport 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. Shreveport commonly receives oil field supplies, drilling equipment, casino supplies. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Shreveport to New Orleans?
Yes. Shreveport is a strong outbound market shipping natural gas, pipe & oil field equipment, lumber & timber. Carriers returning from Shreveport to New Orleans can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the New Orleans-to-Shreveport lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from New Orleans to Shreveport?
The New Orleans-to-Shreveport 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. Shreveport's primary inbound freight includes oil field supplies, drilling equipment, casino supplies, consumer goods, military equipment, construction materials. Industries driving this lane include petrochemicals and port operations from New Orleans and oil & gas services and gaming & entertainment in Shreveport.
Get Exact Rates for New Orleans to Shreveport
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