Freight Shipping from St. Louis to Austin
Ship freight from St. Louis, MO to Austin, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,010-$2,478, LTL from $714-$1,195. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
935 mi
Drive Time
17 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,010-$2,478
LTL Rate Est.
$714-$1,195
St. Louis to Austin 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.
Austin has transformed from a state capital and college town into a technology and manufacturing powerhouse. Tesla's Gigafactory Texas in southeast Travis County produces the Model Y and Cybertruck, creating a massive new automotive freight corridor. Samsung's $17 billion semiconductor fab in Taylor and NXP's chipmaking facilities make the Austin metro one of America's most important semiconductor freight origins. The city's explosive growth — the fastest-growing large metro in the U.S. — generates enormous inbound construction and consumer goods freight.
The St. Louis-to-Austin corridor spans 935 miles via I-70, I-64, I-35, US-183. This lane connects beer & beverage and agriculture & food freight from the St. Louis market to technology and semiconductor manufacturing demand in Austin. 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 Austin Receives
Austin's technology, semiconductor manufacturing, state government sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like St. Louis.
building materials
consumer goods
electronic components
silicon wafers
food products
vehicles
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between St. Louis and Austin, 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.
$2,010-$2,478 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.
$2,478-$3,132 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.
$2,665-$3,413 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,945-$3,974 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the St. Louis to Austin lane (935 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,010-$2,478 | 17 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $714-$1,195 | 19-21 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,039-$4,208 | 11 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,262-$1,730 | 20-22 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both St. Louis and Austin that drive volume on this lane.
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Boeing Defense
General Motors (Wentzville)
Tesla Gigafactory Texas
Samsung Austin Semiconductor
NXP Semiconductors
Shipping Tips for St. Louis to Austin
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.
Austin Seasonal Advisory
Tesla production runs year-round but new model launches create unpredictable freight spikes. Samsung fab output is consistent but construction of new fab capacity generates enormous heavy-haul and oversize equipment moves. SXSW (March) and ACL Festival (October) create temporary local delivery surges.
Overnight Transit
This 935-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 Austin Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from St. Louis to Austin?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from St. Louis, MO to Austin, TX currently range from $2,010-$2,478 for a standard dry van load over the 935-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $714-$1,195 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 Austin?
Standard FTL transit from St. Louis to Austin is approximately 17 hrs by truck over 935 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 Austin 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. Austin commonly receives building materials, consumer goods, electronic components. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Austin to St. Louis?
Yes. Austin is a strong outbound market shipping semiconductors (Samsung/NXP), Tesla vehicles, computers & electronics. Carriers returning from Austin to St. Louis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the St. Louis-to-Austin lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from St. Louis to Austin?
The St. Louis-to-Austin corridor handles a diverse freight mix. St. Louis's top outbound commodities include beer & beverages, processed foods, defense equipment, vehicles (GM), chemicals, grain products. Austin's primary inbound freight includes building materials, consumer goods, electronic components, silicon wafers, food products, vehicles. Industries driving this lane include beer & beverage and agriculture & food from St. Louis and technology and semiconductor manufacturing in Austin.
Get Exact Rates for St. Louis to Austin
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the St. Louis to Austin lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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