Freight Shipping from Peoria to Little Rock
Ship freight from Peoria, IL to Little Rock, AR with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,221-$1,505, LTL from $512-$883. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
568 mi
Drive Time
10 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,221-$1,505
LTL Rate Est.
$512-$883
Peoria to Little Rock Freight Corridor
Peoria is synonymous with Caterpillar, and the global headquarters of the world's largest construction and mining equipment manufacturer defines the city's freight profile. Cat's assembly plants, parts distribution centers, and supplier network generate a complex web of inbound component shipments and outbound finished equipment that requires everything from standard dry vans to specialized heavy-haul trailers rated for 200,000+ pounds. The Illinois River provides barge access for bulk commodity movements.
Little Rock benefits from its central US location at the junction of I-40 and I-30, putting it within a day's drive of Dallas, Memphis, Kansas City, and St. Louis. The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System connects the metro to inland barge traffic, creating intermodal opportunities for bulk shippers. The North Little Rock rail yards are among the busiest in the mid-South, with UP and BNSF both running major classification operations.
The Peoria-to-Little Rock corridor spans 568 miles via I-74, I-474, I-40, I-30. This lane connects heavy equipment manufacturing and healthcare freight from the Peoria market to food processing and steel manufacturing demand in Little Rock. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Peoria
Peoria's economy is driven by heavy equipment manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
construction & mining equipment
ethanol
corn & soybeans
heavy machinery parts
medical supplies
distillers grains
What Little Rock Receives
Little Rock's food processing, steel manufacturing, defense sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Peoria.
raw steel
consumer goods
agricultural chemicals
petroleum products
packaging materials
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Peoria and Little Rock, 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.
$1,221-$1,505 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.
$1,619-$2,073 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,789-$2,414 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.
$512-$883 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Peoria to Little Rock lane (568 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,221-$1,505 | 10 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $512-$883 | 12-14 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,846-$2,556 | 7 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Peoria and Little Rock that drive volume on this lane.
Caterpillar Inc. (HQ)
Komatsu Mining
ADM (ethanol plant)
Dillard's (HQ)
Welspun Tubular
L'Oreal Manufacturing
Shipping Tips for Peoria to Little Rock
Peoria Seasonal Advisory
Construction equipment orders and shipments peak March through September. Corn harvest (September-November) drives grain truck demand. Ethanol plant output is year-round but feedstock deliveries intensify during harvest.
Little Rock Seasonal Advisory
Rice harvest (August-October) drives bulk and hopper trailer demand. Post-Thanksgiving through Christmas, Dillard's distribution network creates retail surge freight on lanes to the Southeast and Midwest.
Overnight Transit
This 568-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.
Peoria to Little Rock Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Peoria to Little Rock?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Peoria, IL to Little Rock, AR currently range from $1,221-$1,505 for a standard dry van load over the 568-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $512-$883 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 Peoria to Little Rock?
Standard FTL transit from Peoria to Little Rock is approximately 10 hrs by truck over 568 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 Peoria to Little Rock freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Peoria commonly ships construction & mining equipment, ethanol, corn & soybeans, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Little Rock commonly receives raw steel, consumer goods, agricultural chemicals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Little Rock to Peoria?
Yes. Little Rock is a strong outbound market shipping processed poultry, steel products, rice & grains. Carriers returning from Little Rock to Peoria can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Peoria-to-Little Rock lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Peoria to Little Rock?
The Peoria-to-Little Rock corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Peoria's top outbound commodities include construction & mining equipment, ethanol, corn & soybeans, heavy machinery parts, medical supplies, distillers grains. Little Rock's primary inbound freight includes raw steel, consumer goods, agricultural chemicals, petroleum products, packaging materials, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include heavy equipment manufacturing and healthcare from Peoria and food processing and steel manufacturing in Little Rock.
Get Exact Rates for Peoria to Little Rock
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Peoria to Little Rock lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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