Freight Shipping from Shreveport to Houston
Ship freight from Shreveport, LA to Houston, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $598-$737, LTL from $353-$636. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
278 mi
Drive Time
5 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$598-$737
LTL Rate Est.
$353-$636
Shreveport to Houston Freight Corridor
Shreveport sits at the crossroads of I-20 and I-49, serving as the commercial hub for the Ark-La-Tex region where Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas converge. The Haynesville Shale natural gas play transformed the local economy and freight market, with pipe yards and drilling supply companies generating heavy flatbed and specialized oilfield equipment loads. Barksdale Air Force Base, home to the B-52 bomber fleet and Global Strike Command, creates steady military freight demand.
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 Shreveport-to-Houston corridor spans 278 miles via I-20, I-49, I-10, I-45. This lane connects oil & gas services and gaming & entertainment freight from the Shreveport 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 Shreveport
Shreveport's economy is driven by oil & gas services, gaming & entertainment, military (barksdale afb), generating consistent outbound freight demand.
natural gas
pipe & oil field equipment
lumber & timber
paper products
military supplies
cotton
What Houston Receives
Houston's oil & gas, petrochemicals, healthcare (texas medical center) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Shreveport.
crude oil
containerized imports
steel pipe
industrial chemicals
consumer goods
drilling equipment
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Shreveport 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.
$598-$737 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.
$792-$1,015 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$876-$1,182 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.
$353-$636 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Shreveport to Houston lane (278 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $598-$737 | 5 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $353-$636 | 7-9 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $904-$1,251 | 3 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Shreveport and Houston that drive volume on this lane.
Barksdale Air Force Base
Benteler Steel & Tube
Fibrebond Corporation
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
Shipping Tips for Shreveport to Houston
Shreveport Seasonal Advisory
Oil and gas activity fluctuates with commodity prices rather than seasons. Timber harvesting runs year-round but slows during extended wet periods. Military freight from Barksdale maintains steady cadence with fiscal year-end (September) spikes.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 278 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
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.
Shreveport to Houston Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Shreveport to Houston?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Shreveport, LA to Houston, TX currently range from $598-$737 for a standard dry van load over the 278-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $353-$636 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 Shreveport to Houston?
Standard FTL transit from Shreveport to Houston is approximately 5 hrs by truck over 278 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 Shreveport to Houston freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Shreveport commonly ships natural gas, pipe & oil field equipment, lumber & timber, 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 Shreveport?
Yes. Houston is a strong outbound market shipping refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins. Carriers returning from Houston to Shreveport can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Shreveport-to-Houston lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Shreveport to Houston?
The Shreveport-to-Houston corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Shreveport's top outbound commodities include natural gas, pipe & oil field equipment, lumber & timber, paper products, military supplies, cotton. Houston's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, steel pipe, industrial chemicals, consumer goods, drilling equipment. Industries driving this lane include oil & gas services and gaming & entertainment from Shreveport and oil & gas and petrochemicals in Houston.
Get Exact Rates for Shreveport to Houston
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