Freight Shipping from New Orleans to St. Louis
Ship freight from New Orleans, LA to St. Louis, MO with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,675-$2,064, LTL from $628-$1,062. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
779 mi
Drive Time
14 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,675-$2,064
LTL Rate Est.
$628-$1,062
New Orleans to St. Louis 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.
St. Louis sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, making it a natural multimodal freight hub where barge, rail, and truck converge. Anheuser-Busch's flagship brewery ships millions of cases weekly on dedicated lane networks. Boeing's defense division in north St. Louis County produces F/A-18 and F-15 fighter jets, generating oversize military cargo requiring specialized flatbed carriers.
The New Orleans-to-St. Louis corridor spans 779 miles via I-10, I-55, I-70, I-64. This lane connects petrochemicals and port operations freight from the New Orleans market to beer & beverage and agriculture & food demand in St. Louis. 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 St. Louis Receives
St. Louis's beer & beverage, agriculture & food, defense & aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like New Orleans.
raw grain & barley
aluminum cans & packaging
auto parts
consumer goods
industrial chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between New Orleans and St. Louis, 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.
$1,675-$2,064 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.
$2,064-$2,610 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,454-$3,311 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.
$628-$1,062 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the New Orleans to St. Louis lane (779 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,675-$2,064 | 14 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $628-$1,062 | 16-18 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,532-$3,506 | 9 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,052-$1,441 | 17-19 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both New Orleans and St. Louis that drive volume on this lane.
Port of New Orleans
Entergy
Folgers/J.M. Smucker (coffee roasting)
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Boeing Defense
General Motors (Wentzville)
Shipping Tips for New Orleans to St. Louis
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.
St. Louis Seasonal Advisory
Beer shipments surge before major holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Super Bowl). Mississippi River flooding in spring can shut down river terminals and divert barge freight to trucks, causing temporary rate spikes.
Overnight Transit
This 779-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.
New Orleans to St. Louis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from New Orleans to St. Louis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from New Orleans, LA to St. Louis, MO currently range from $1,675-$2,064 for a standard dry van load over the 779-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $628-$1,062 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 St. Louis?
Standard FTL transit from New Orleans to St. Louis is approximately 14 hrs by truck over 779 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 St. Louis 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. St. Louis commonly receives raw grain & barley, aluminum cans & packaging, auto parts. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from St. Louis to New Orleans?
Yes. St. Louis is a strong outbound market shipping beer & beverages, processed foods, defense equipment. Carriers returning from St. Louis to New Orleans can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the New Orleans-to-St. Louis lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from New Orleans to St. Louis?
The New Orleans-to-St. Louis 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. St. Louis's primary inbound freight includes raw grain & barley, aluminum cans & packaging, auto parts, consumer goods, industrial chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include petrochemicals and port operations from New Orleans and beer & beverage and agriculture & food in St. Louis.
Get Exact Rates for New Orleans to St. Louis
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the New Orleans to St. Louis lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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