Freight Shipping from New Orleans to Tulsa

713 miles13 hrs transitRates in 15 Minutes

Ship freight from New Orleans, LA to Tulsa, OK with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,533-$1,889, LTL from $592-$1,006. No hidden fees, no re-bills.

Distance

713 mi

Drive Time

13 hrs

FTL Rate Est.

$1,533-$1,889

LTL Rate Est.

$592-$1,006

New Orleans to Tulsa 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.

Tulsa is the aerospace maintenance capital of the central U.S., with American Airlines operating its largest MRO facility here — capable of servicing widebody aircraft. The Port of Catoosa, America's most inland river port, connects Tulsa to the Gulf of Mexico via the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, enabling barge-to-truck transloading for heavy industrial freight. The city's legacy oil refining infrastructure creates steady tanker and hazmat volumes.

The New Orleans-to-Tulsa corridor spans 713 miles via I-10, I-55, I-44, US-75. This lane connects petrochemicals and port operations freight from the New Orleans market to aerospace manufacturing and energy demand in Tulsa. 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 Tulsa Receives

Tulsa's aerospace manufacturing, energy, steel fabrication sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like New Orleans.

crude oil

raw steel

aircraft sub-assemblies

chemicals

electronic components

packaging materials

Recommended Equipment

Based on the commodities moving between New Orleans and Tulsa, 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.

$1,533-$1,889 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.

$1,889-$2,389 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.

$2,032-$2,602 estimated for this lane

Tanker / Hazmat

Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.

$2,246-$3,030 estimated for this lane

Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode

Estimated rates for the New Orleans to Tulsa lane (713 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.

ModeRate EstimateTransit
FTL (Full Truckload)$1,533-$1,88913 hrs
LTL (Less Than Truckload)$592-$1,00615-17 days
Expedited / Hot Shot$2,317-$3,2099 hrs
Intermodal (Rail + Truck)$963-$1,31916-18 days

Major Shippers on This Corridor

Key freight generators in both New Orleans and Tulsa that drive volume on this lane.

Port of New Orleans

Entergy

Folgers/J.M. Smucker (coffee roasting)

American Airlines Maintenance Base

NORDAM Group

Holly Frontier Refining

Shipping Tips for New Orleans to Tulsa

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.

Tulsa Seasonal Advisory

Aerospace MRO work peaks during winter when airlines pull aircraft from service for heavy maintenance checks. Refinery output is steady but turnaround seasons (spring and fall) temporarily reduce outbound tanker volumes while increasing inbound equipment freight.

Overnight Transit

This 713-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 Tulsa Freight FAQs

How much does it cost to ship freight from New Orleans to Tulsa?

Full truckload (FTL) rates from New Orleans, LA to Tulsa, OK currently range from $1,533-$1,889 for a standard dry van load over the 713-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $592-$1,006 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 Tulsa?

Standard FTL transit from New Orleans to Tulsa is approximately 13 hrs by truck over 713 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 Tulsa 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. Tulsa commonly receives crude oil, raw steel, aircraft sub-assemblies. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.

Is there good backhaul from Tulsa to New Orleans?

Yes. Tulsa is a strong outbound market shipping aircraft components, refined fuels, steel pipe & fittings. Carriers returning from Tulsa to New Orleans can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the New Orleans-to-Tulsa lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.

What commodities move from New Orleans to Tulsa?

The New Orleans-to-Tulsa 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. Tulsa's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, raw steel, aircraft sub-assemblies, chemicals, electronic components, packaging materials. Industries driving this lane include petrochemicals and port operations from New Orleans and aerospace manufacturing and energy in Tulsa.

Get Exact Rates for New Orleans to Tulsa

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