Freight Shipping from Raleigh to Houston
Ship freight from Raleigh, NC to Houston, 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
Consumer Goods Corridor
Raleigh → Houston Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
103–123
running this lane
Weekly Loads
196–213
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
78/100
Strong
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 Houston 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.
Houston is the energy capital of the world, and its freight profile reflects it. The Houston Ship Channel — a 52-mile industrial corridor lined with the highest concentration of refineries and petrochemical plants on Earth — generates massive tanker, flatbed, and hazmat freight volumes. Port Houston ranks first in the U.S. for foreign waterborne tonnage and handles more export cargo than any other American port. The Texas Medical Center, the world's largest, adds a significant layer of pharmaceutical and medical equipment freight.
The Raleigh-to-Houston corridor spans 1,372 miles via I-40, I-540, I-10, I-45. This lane connects technology & software and biotech & pharmaceuticals freight from the Raleigh market to oil & gas and petrochemicals demand in Houston. 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 Houston Receives
Houston's oil & gas, petrochemicals, healthcare (texas medical center) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Raleigh.
crude oil
containerized imports
steel pipe
industrial chemicals
consumer goods
drilling equipment
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Raleigh and Houston, 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 Houston 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 Houston that drive volume on this lane.
Cisco Systems (RTP)
Biogen (RTP)
Fidelity Investments
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
Shipping Tips for Raleigh to Houston
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.
Houston Seasonal Advisory
Hurricane season (June-November) is the dominant variable — storms can shut down the Ship Channel and port for days, creating massive freight backlogs and rate spikes. Petrochemical production is year-round but refinery turnarounds in spring and fall temporarily shift freight patterns.
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 Houston — 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
Houston, TX
- Metro Population
- 7.1M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $1.95-$2.30/mi
- Key Highways
- I-10, I-45, I-69/US-59
- Rail / Intermodal
- Union Pacific Settegast Yard; BNSF Pearland Intermodal; Port Houston Barbours Cut Container Terminal
- Port Access
- Port Houston (Houston Ship Channel, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Katy/I-10 West, Baytown/Ship Channel East, Missouri City/US-59 South
“Houston's energy corridor creates a unique freight dynamic — when oil prices rise, oilfield equipment and pipe shipments to the Permian Basin surge on flatbeds heading west on I-10. When prices fall, the same corridor reverses as equipment is mothballed and returned. Carriers who read the energy cycle can position ahead of these waves.”
Return Loads from Houston
Houston generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Raleigh is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Houston
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 Houston Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Raleigh to Houston?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Raleigh, NC to Houston, TX currently range $2,950-$3,636 (roughly $2.18-$2.66 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 Houston?
Standard FTL transit from Raleigh to Houston 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 Union Pacific Settegast Yard takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Raleigh to Houston freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Raleigh commonly ships pharmaceuticals, medical devices, tech hardware, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Houston commonly receives crude oil, containerized imports, steel pipe. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Houston to Raleigh?
Strong backhaul (scored 78/100 based on Houston's outbound commodity mix). Houston generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Raleigh is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Houston's top outbound commodities — refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Raleigh to Houston?
The Raleigh-to-Houston corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Raleigh's top outbound commodities include pharmaceuticals, medical devices, tech hardware, tobacco, sweet potatoes, biotech products. Houston's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, steel pipe, industrial chemicals, consumer goods, drilling equipment. Industries driving this lane include technology & software and biotech & pharmaceuticals from Raleigh and oil & gas and petrochemicals in Houston.
When are rates highest on the Raleigh to Houston 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 Houston
We maintain working relationships with 103+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Raleigh–Houston 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