Freight Shipping from St. Louis to Fort Worth
Ship freight from St. Louis, MO to Fort Worth, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,591-$1,961, LTL from $607-$1,029. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
740 mi
Drive Time
13 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,591-$1,961
LTL Rate Est.
$607-$1,029
St. Louis to Fort Worth 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.
Fort Worth is the aerospace and rail logistics capital of Texas. Lockheed Martin's mile-long factory produces every F-35 Lightning II fighter jet sold worldwide, generating classified, oversize, and high-security freight that requires specialized carriers. BNSF Railway's headquarters and Alliance Texas — the nation's largest inland port — create one of the most sophisticated intermodal logistics ecosystems in North America. Bell Textron builds V-22 Ospreys and commercial helicopters, adding to the aerospace freight base.
The St. Louis-to-Fort Worth corridor spans 740 miles via I-70, I-64, I-35W, I-30. This lane connects beer & beverage and agriculture & food freight from the St. Louis market to aerospace & defense and rail logistics demand in Fort Worth. 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 Fort Worth Receives
Fort Worth's aerospace & defense, rail logistics, ranching & agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like St. Louis.
aerospace sub-assemblies
raw metals
containerized imports (via Alliance)
consumer goods
building materials
fuel
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between St. Louis and Fort Worth, 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.
$1,591-$1,961 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.
$1,961-$2,479 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.
$2,109-$2,701 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,331-$3,145 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the St. Louis to Fort Worth lane (740 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,591-$1,961 | 13 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $607-$1,029 | 15-17 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,405-$3,330 | 9 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $999-$1,369 | 16-18 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both St. Louis and Fort Worth that drive volume on this lane.
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Boeing Defense
General Motors (Wentzville)
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics (F-35)
Bell Textron (HQ)
BNSF Railway (HQ)
Shipping Tips for St. Louis to Fort Worth
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.
Fort Worth Seasonal Advisory
Defense freight follows federal fiscal year-end spending (September rush). BNSF intermodal volumes peak during Q4 import season. Livestock and agricultural freight from the Fort Worth Stockyards region is strongest March through October.
Overnight Transit
This 740-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 Fort Worth Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from St. Louis to Fort Worth?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from St. Louis, MO to Fort Worth, TX currently range from $1,591-$1,961 for a standard dry van load over the 740-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $607-$1,029 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 Fort Worth?
Standard FTL transit from St. Louis to Fort Worth is approximately 13 hrs by truck over 740 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 Fort Worth 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. Fort Worth commonly receives aerospace sub-assemblies, raw metals, containerized imports (via Alliance). Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Fort Worth to St. Louis?
Yes. Fort Worth is a strong outbound market shipping F-35 fighter jet components, Bell helicopters, grain & cattle. Carriers returning from Fort Worth to St. Louis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the St. Louis-to-Fort Worth lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from St. Louis to Fort Worth?
The St. Louis-to-Fort Worth corridor handles a diverse freight mix. St. Louis's top outbound commodities include beer & beverages, processed foods, defense equipment, vehicles (GM), chemicals, grain products. Fort Worth's primary inbound freight includes aerospace sub-assemblies, raw metals, containerized imports (via Alliance), consumer goods, building materials, fuel. Industries driving this lane include beer & beverage and agriculture & food from St. Louis and aerospace & defense and rail logistics in Fort Worth.
Get Exact Rates for St. Louis to Fort Worth
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the St. Louis to Fort Worth lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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