Freight Shipping from Springfield to Birmingham
Ship freight from Springfield, MO to Birmingham, AL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,245-$1,534, LTL from $518-$892. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
579 mi
Drive Time
11 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,245-$1,534
LTL Rate Est.
$518-$892
Springfield to Birmingham Freight Corridor
Springfield is the Ozarks' commercial hub and a trucking industry stronghold — it's home to O'Reilly Auto Parts and Bass Pro Shops headquarters, both of which operate massive distribution networks from the region. Great Dane's trailer manufacturing plant produces hundreds of new trailers monthly. The city's position on I-44 between St. Louis and Tulsa makes it a natural staging point for cross-country freight.
Birmingham sits at the crossroads of I-20 and I-65, making it the natural distribution pivot between the Gulf Coast and the upper Southeast. The metro's steel heritage lives on through McWane and U.S. Steel operations that keep flatbed demand consistently high. Mercedes-Benz and Honda assembly plants in Tuscaloosa and Lincoln create a steady diet of JIT automotive freight moving on dedicated lanes to suppliers across the Midwest.
The Springfield-to-Birmingham corridor spans 579 miles via I-44, US-65, I-20, I-65. This lane connects food & dairy processing and trucking & logistics freight from the Springfield market to automotive manufacturing and steel production demand in Birmingham. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Springfield
Springfield's economy is driven by food & dairy processing, trucking & logistics, manufacturing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
dairy products
processed meats
trailer assemblies (Great Dane)
ammunition
canned goods
pet food
What Birmingham Receives
Birmingham's automotive manufacturing, steel production, medical devices sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Springfield.
raw iron ore
automotive components
consumer electronics
building materials
petroleum products
packaging materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Springfield and Birmingham, 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.
$1,245-$1,534 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.
$1,534-$1,940 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.
$1,650-$2,113 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,824-$2,461 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Springfield to Birmingham lane (579 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,245-$1,534 | 11 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $518-$892 | 13-15 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,882-$2,606 | 7 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $782-$1,071 | 14-16 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Springfield and Birmingham that drive volume on this lane.
O'Reilly Auto Parts (HQ)
Bass Pro Shops (HQ)
Great Dane Trailers
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International
U.S. Steel
Honda Manufacturing of Alabama
Shipping Tips for Springfield to Birmingham
Springfield Seasonal Advisory
Dairy shipments run year-round but peak in spring when milk production is highest. Bass Pro Shops' holiday retail season (October-December) drives a surge in outbound e-commerce and LTL freight from their Springfield distribution campus.
Birmingham Seasonal Advisory
Steel shipments peak Q1-Q2 as construction season ramps up. Automotive freight dips during the two-week July shutdown at Mercedes and Honda plants.
Overnight Transit
This 579-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.
Springfield to Birmingham Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Springfield to Birmingham?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Springfield, MO to Birmingham, AL currently range from $1,245-$1,534 for a standard dry van load over the 579-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $518-$892 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 Springfield to Birmingham?
Standard FTL transit from Springfield to Birmingham is approximately 11 hrs by truck over 579 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Springfield to Birmingham freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Springfield commonly ships dairy products, processed meats, trailer assemblies (Great Dane), which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Birmingham commonly receives raw iron ore, automotive components, consumer electronics. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Birmingham to Springfield?
Yes. Birmingham is a strong outbound market shipping steel coils & pipe, automotive parts, medical equipment. Carriers returning from Birmingham to Springfield can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Springfield-to-Birmingham lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Springfield to Birmingham?
The Springfield-to-Birmingham corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Springfield's top outbound commodities include dairy products, processed meats, trailer assemblies (Great Dane), ammunition, canned goods, pet food. Birmingham's primary inbound freight includes raw iron ore, automotive components, consumer electronics, building materials, petroleum products, packaging materials. Industries driving this lane include food & dairy processing and trucking & logistics from Springfield and automotive manufacturing and steel production in Birmingham.
Get Exact Rates for Springfield to Birmingham
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Springfield to Birmingham lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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