Freight Shipping from Norfolk to Fort Worth
Ship freight from Norfolk, VA to Fort Worth, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $3,423-$4,219, LTL from $1,076-$1,753. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,592 mi
Drive Time
29 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$3,423-$4,219
LTL Rate Est.
$1,076-$1,753
Port Drayage Corridor
Norfolk → Fort Worth Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
121–142
running this lane
Weekly Loads
227–244
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
72/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$15–$25 one-way passing through VA, TX, TN, KY, MO, AR, OK, GA, SC, NC. 4 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Norfolk to Fort Worth Freight Corridor
Norfolk is the East Coast's deepest natural harbor and home to the Port of Virginia — the third-largest container port in the U.S. and the only East Coast port with 55-foot channels capable of handling fully loaded ultra-large container vessels at any tide. Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval base, generates enormous military logistics volume. Huntington Ingalls' Newport News Shipyard builds America's aircraft carriers and submarines, creating specialized oversize freight that moves nowhere else in the country.
Fort Worth is the aerospace and rail logistics capital of Texas. Lockheed Martin's mile-long factory produces every F-35 Lightning II fighter jet sold worldwide, generating classified, oversize, and high-security freight that requires specialized carriers. BNSF Railway's headquarters and Alliance Texas — the nation's largest inland port — create one of the most sophisticated intermodal logistics ecosystems in North America. Bell Textron builds V-22 Ospreys and commercial helicopters, adding to the aerospace freight base.
The Norfolk-to-Fort Worth corridor spans 1,592 miles via I-64, I-264, I-35W, I-30. This lane connects military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics freight from the Norfolk market to aerospace & defense and rail logistics demand in Fort Worth. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Norfolk
Norfolk's economy is driven by military & naval operations, port & maritime logistics, shipbuilding, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
containerized exports
coal
soybeans & grain
tobacco
military equipment
forest products
What Fort Worth Receives
Fort Worth's aerospace & defense, rail logistics, ranching & agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Norfolk.
aerospace sub-assemblies
raw metals
containerized imports (via Alliance)
consumer goods
building materials
fuel
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Norfolk and Fort Worth, 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.
$3,423-$4,219 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.
$4,537-$5,811 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.
$1,076-$1,753 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Norfolk to Fort Worth lane (1,592 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $3,423-$4,219 | 29 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,076-$1,753 | 31-33 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $5,174-$7,164 | 19 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,149-$2,945 | 32-34 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Norfolk and Fort Worth that drive volume on this lane.
Naval Station Norfolk (world's largest naval base)
Huntington Ingalls Industries (Newport News Shipbuilding)
Virginia Port Authority
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (F-35)
Bell Textron (HQ)
BNSF Railway (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Norfolk to Fort Worth
Norfolk Seasonal Advisory
Import container volumes peak August through November during retail peak season. Coal exports fluctuate with global energy demand and Asian steel production. Military freight is steady year-round but surges during deployment cycles and fleet maintenance periods.
Fort Worth Seasonal Advisory
Defense freight follows federal fiscal year-end spending (September rush). BNSF intermodal volumes peak during Q4 import season. Livestock and agricultural freight from the Fort Worth Stockyards region is strongest March through October.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,592 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 29 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
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 Norfolk and Fort Worth — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Norfolk, VA
- Metro Population
- 1.8M metro (Hampton Roads)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-64, I-264, I-664
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk International Terminals (NIT); Virginia Inland Port (Front Royal); Norfolk Southern Lamberts Point Coal Terminal
- Port Access
- Port of Virginia — Norfolk (Chesapeake Bay/Atlantic, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Chesapeake/I-64 South, Suffolk/US-58 West, Portsmouth/I-264 Corridor
“The Port of Virginia's inland port network extends the port's reach 220 miles west to Front Royal via daily Norfolk Southern rail service, allowing containers to clear customs inland and reducing drayage congestion. Carriers who serve the inland port system access loads that bypass the congested Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel entirely.”
Destination
Fort Worth, TX
- Metro Population
- 7.6M metro (DFW)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-35W, I-30, I-20
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Alliance Intermodal Facility; Alliance Texas Logistics Hub
- Warehouse Districts
- AllianceTexas/I-35W North, South Fort Worth/I-20 Corridor, Haslet/Alliance Gateway
“AllianceTexas is not just an intermodal facility — it's a 27,000-acre master-planned logistics campus with its own airport, rail yard, and 50+ million square feet of warehouse space. Carriers who operate within the Alliance ecosystem can string together multiple loads without leaving the campus.”
Return Loads from Fort Worth
Fort Worth generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Norfolk is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Fort Worth
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Norfolk to Fort Worth Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Norfolk to Fort Worth?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Norfolk, VA to Fort Worth, TX currently range $3,423-$4,219 (roughly $2.16-$2.67 per mile over 1,592 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,076-$1,753 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently tight 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 Norfolk to Fort Worth?
Standard FTL transit from Norfolk to Fort Worth is approximately 29 hrs by truck over 1,592 miles, with 4 typical fuel stops 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service via Norfolk International Terminals (NIT) to BNSF Alliance Intermodal Facility takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Norfolk to Fort Worth freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Norfolk commonly ships containerized exports, coal, soybeans & grain, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Fort Worth commonly receives aerospace sub-assemblies, raw metals, containerized imports (via Alliance). Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Fort Worth to Norfolk?
Strong backhaul (scored 72/100 based on Fort Worth's outbound commodity mix). Fort Worth generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Norfolk is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Fort Worth's top outbound commodities — F-35 fighter jet components, Bell helicopters, grain & cattle — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Norfolk to Fort Worth?
The Norfolk-to-Fort Worth corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Norfolk's top outbound commodities include containerized exports, coal, soybeans & grain, tobacco, military equipment, forest products. Fort Worth's primary inbound freight includes aerospace sub-assemblies, raw metals, containerized imports (via Alliance), consumer goods, building materials, fuel. Industries driving this lane include military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics from Norfolk and aerospace & defense and rail logistics in Fort Worth.
When are rates highest on the Norfolk to Fort Worth lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Should I use team drivers for the Norfolk to Fort Worth lane?
At 1,592 miles, this route exceeds a solo driver's hours-of-service limits and requires at least one 10-hour break, adding roughly 14-18 hours to transit. Team drivers typically deliver in 17-21 hours — nearly half the solo transit — at a 20-35% rate premium. For time-critical freight over 1,200 miles, teams generally pay for themselves.
Get Exact Rates for Norfolk to Fort Worth
We maintain working relationships with 121+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Norfolk–Fort Worth 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