Freight Shipping from St. Louis to Akron
Ship freight from St. Louis, MO to Akron, OH with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,372-$1,691, LTL from $551-$942. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
638 mi
Drive Time
12 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,372-$1,691
LTL Rate Est.
$551-$942
St. Louis to Akron Freight Corridor
St. Louis sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, making it a natural multimodal freight hub where barge, rail, and truck converge. Anheuser-Busch's flagship brewery ships millions of cases weekly on dedicated lane networks. Boeing's defense division in north St. Louis County produces F/A-18 and F-15 fighter jets, generating oversize military cargo requiring specialized flatbed carriers.
Akron earned the title "Rubber Capital of the World" — Goodyear's global headquarters still anchors the city's economy, along with a deep cluster of polymer science companies, tire retreaders, and rubber product manufacturers that grew up around the original tire industry. The I-76/I-77 junction makes Akron a natural crossroads between Pittsburgh and Cleveland. The University of Akron's polymer science program ensures a constant pipeline of materials innovation that keeps the city's chemical and advanced materials freight volumes growing.
The St. Louis-to-Akron corridor spans 638 miles via I-70, I-64, I-76, I-77. This lane connects beer & beverage and agriculture & food freight from the St. Louis market to polymer & rubber manufacturing and advanced materials demand in Akron. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from St. Louis
St. Louis's economy is driven by beer & beverage, agriculture & food, defense & aerospace, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
beer & beverages
processed foods
defense equipment
vehicles (GM)
chemicals
grain products
What Akron Receives
Akron's polymer & rubber manufacturing, advanced materials, healthcare sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like St. Louis.
raw rubber & latex
polymer resins
chemical feedstocks
consumer goods
steel
packaging materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between St. Louis and Akron, 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.
$1,372-$1,691 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.
$1,691-$2,137 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.
$1,818-$2,329 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,010-$2,712 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the St. Louis to Akron lane (638 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,372-$1,691 | 12 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $551-$942 | 14-16 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,074-$2,871 | 8 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $861-$1,180 | 15-17 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both St. Louis and Akron that drive volume on this lane.
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Boeing Defense
General Motors (Wentzville)
Goodyear Tire & Rubber (HQ)
FirstEnergy (HQ)
Smucker's (Akron bakery)
Shipping Tips for St. Louis to Akron
St. Louis Seasonal Advisory
Beer shipments surge before major holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Super Bowl). Mississippi River flooding in spring can shut down river terminals and divert barge freight to trucks, causing temporary rate spikes.
Akron Seasonal Advisory
Tire production runs year-round but seasonal tire changeover periods (October-November for winter, March-April for summer) create demand surges. FirstEnergy's utility equipment shipments peak before summer cooling season. Quaker Oats production ramps for back-to-school cereal demand.
Overnight Transit
This 638-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.
St. Louis to Akron Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from St. Louis to Akron?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from St. Louis, MO to Akron, OH currently range from $1,372-$1,691 for a standard dry van load over the 638-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $551-$942 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 St. Louis to Akron?
Standard FTL transit from St. Louis to Akron is approximately 12 hrs by truck over 638 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 St. Louis to Akron freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. St. Louis commonly ships beer & beverages, processed foods, defense equipment, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Akron commonly receives raw rubber & latex, polymer resins, chemical feedstocks. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Akron to St. Louis?
Yes. Akron is a strong outbound market shipping tires & rubber products, polymer compounds, oats & cereals (Quaker). Carriers returning from Akron to St. Louis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the St. Louis-to-Akron lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from St. Louis to Akron?
The St. Louis-to-Akron corridor handles a diverse freight mix. St. Louis's top outbound commodities include beer & beverages, processed foods, defense equipment, vehicles (GM), chemicals, grain products. Akron's primary inbound freight includes raw rubber & latex, polymer resins, chemical feedstocks, consumer goods, steel, packaging materials. Industries driving this lane include beer & beverage and agriculture & food from St. Louis and polymer & rubber manufacturing and advanced materials in Akron.
Get Exact Rates for St. Louis to Akron
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the St. Louis to Akron lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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