Freight Shipping from Raleigh to Dallas
Ship freight from Raleigh, NC to Dallas, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,950-$3,636, LTL from $955-$1,566. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,372 mi
Drive Time
25 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,950-$3,636
LTL Rate Est.
$955-$1,566
Energy & Chemicals Route
Raleigh → Dallas Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
114–138
running this lane
Weekly Loads
189–206
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
83/100
Excellent
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$12–$20 one-way passing through NC, TX, TN, AR, OK, GA, SC. 3 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Mon, Tue, Wed. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Raleigh to Dallas Freight Corridor
Raleigh-Durham's Research Triangle Park (RTP) is the largest research park in the United States, housing 300+ companies that generate a unique freight mix of pharmaceutical shipments, laboratory equipment, and high-tech components. The Triangle's rapid population growth (50%+ in 20 years) has made it one of the fastest-growing freight markets on the East Coast, with new distribution center development struggling to keep pace.
Dallas is the economic engine of the DFW metroplex, housing more Fortune 500 corporate headquarters than any city except New York. Texas Instruments and the Telecom Corridor in Richardson generate a constant flow of high-value electronics freight, while the South Dallas warehouse district contains over 150 million square feet of distribution space. The city's central location means a truck leaving Dallas can reach 93% of the U.S. population within 48 hours.
The Raleigh-to-Dallas corridor spans 1,372 miles via I-40, I-540, I-35E, I-30. This lane connects technology & software and biotech & pharmaceuticals freight from the Raleigh market to technology and telecommunications demand in Dallas. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Raleigh
Raleigh's economy is driven by technology & software, biotech & pharmaceuticals, higher education, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
pharmaceuticals
medical devices
tech hardware
tobacco
sweet potatoes
biotech products
What Dallas Receives
Dallas's technology, telecommunications, financial services sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Raleigh.
consumer goods
raw materials
electronic components
building materials
imported merchandise
petroleum products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Raleigh and Dallas, 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.
$2,950-$3,636 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.
$3,636-$4,596 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.
$3,910-$5,008 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$4,322-$5,831 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Raleigh to Dallas lane (1,372 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,950-$3,636 | 25 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $955-$1,566 | 27-29 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $4,459-$6,174 | 17 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,852-$2,538 | 28-30 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Raleigh and Dallas that drive volume on this lane.
Cisco Systems (RTP)
Biogen (RTP)
Fidelity Investments
Texas Instruments (HQ)
AT&T (HQ)
Amazon DFW Fulfillment Network
Shipping Tips for Raleigh to Dallas
Raleigh Seasonal Advisory
Sweet potato harvest (September-November) from the eastern NC farms creates reefer demand on I-95 and I-40. University move-in season at Duke, UNC, and NC State (August) generates household goods freight surges across the Triangle.
Dallas Seasonal Advisory
E-commerce fulfillment peaks massively during Q4 holidays. Construction freight is year-round due to DFW's unrelenting building boom. Texas Instruments production runs consistently but new product cycles create periodic shipping surges.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,372 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 25 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 Raleigh and Dallas — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Raleigh, NC
- Metro Population
- 1.4M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-40, I-540, US-70
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Rocky Mount Intermodal (60 mi east)
- Warehouse Districts
- Selma/I-95 Corridor, Morrisville/RTP Area, Garner/I-40 South
“RTP's pharmaceutical and biotech shippers require validated temperature-controlled lanes with real-time monitoring and chain-of-custody documentation. Carriers with GDP (Good Distribution Practice) compliance certifications access the highest-paying freight in the region.”
Destination
Dallas, TX
- Metro Population
- 7.6M metro (DFW)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.00-$2.35/mi
- Key Highways
- I-35E, I-30, I-635 (LBJ)
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Alliance Intermodal (Fort Worth); Union Pacific Mesquite Intermodal; BNSF Wilmer Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- South Dallas/I-20 Corridor, Mesquite/I-30 East, Garland/I-635 Northeast
“Dallas's massive inbound-to-outbound imbalance — driven by the region's explosive population growth — means carriers delivering to DFW can almost always find loads out. The challenge is finding loads that pay well enough to justify the outbound leg, especially southbound to Houston where competition is fierce.”
Return Loads from Dallas
Dallas is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Raleigh typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Dallas
Seasonal Rate Patterns
May-Aug (produce season)
+12-18% on reefer capacity
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Raleigh to Dallas Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Raleigh to Dallas?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Raleigh, NC to Dallas, TX currently range $2,950-$3,636 (roughly $2.17-$2.68 per mile over 1,372 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $955-$1,566 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 Raleigh to Dallas?
Standard FTL transit from Raleigh to Dallas is approximately 25 hrs by truck over 1,372 miles, with 3 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 CSX Rocky Mount Intermodal (60 mi east) to BNSF Alliance Intermodal (Fort Worth) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Raleigh to Dallas freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Raleigh commonly ships pharmaceuticals, medical devices, tech hardware, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Dallas commonly receives consumer goods, raw materials, electronic components. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Dallas to Raleigh?
Excellent backhaul (scored 83/100 based on Dallas's outbound commodity mix). Dallas is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Raleigh typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate. Dallas's top outbound commodities — electronics (Texas Instruments), telecommunications equipment, consumer packaged goods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Raleigh to Dallas?
The Raleigh-to-Dallas corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Energy & Chemicals Route. Raleigh's top outbound commodities include pharmaceuticals, medical devices, tech hardware, tobacco, sweet potatoes, biotech products. Dallas's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, raw materials, electronic components, building materials, imported merchandise, petroleum products. Industries driving this lane include technology & software and biotech & pharmaceuticals from Raleigh and technology and telecommunications in Dallas.
When are rates highest on the Raleigh to Dallas lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to technology & software and biotech & pharmaceuticals cycles. Key periods: May-Aug (produce season) (+12-18% on reefer capacity); 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 (Mon, Tue, Wed) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Raleigh to Dallas
We maintain working relationships with 114+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Raleigh–Dallas 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