Freight Shipping from St. Louis to Orlando
Ship freight from St. Louis, MO to Orlando, FL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,408-$2,968, LTL from $816-$1,352. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,120 mi
Drive Time
20 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,408-$2,968
LTL Rate Est.
$816-$1,352
St. Louis to Orlando 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.
Orlando's 75+ million annual visitors create a freight demand profile unlike any other US city. Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld together consume staggering volumes of food, beverages, linens, merchandise, and maintenance supplies that must be delivered on precise schedules to avoid disrupting guest experiences. The city's defense simulation cluster around the Central Florida Research Park generates high-value, classified freight for military training systems deployed worldwide.
The St. Louis-to-Orlando corridor spans 1,120 miles via I-70, I-64, I-4, Florida Turnpike. This lane connects beer & beverage and agriculture & food freight from the St. Louis market to tourism & theme parks and simulation & training demand in Orlando. 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 Orlando Receives
Orlando's tourism & theme parks, simulation & training, aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like St. Louis.
food & beverage (massive volumes)
consumer goods
construction materials
theme park equipment
furniture & fixtures
linens & hospitality supplies
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between St. Louis and Orlando, 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.
$2,408-$2,968 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.
$2,968-$3,752 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.
$3,192-$4,088 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,528-$4,760 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the St. Louis to Orlando lane (1,120 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,408-$2,968 | 20 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $816-$1,352 | 22-24 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,640-$5,040 | 14 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,512-$2,072 | 23-25 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both St. Louis and Orlando that drive volume on this lane.
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Boeing Defense
General Motors (Wentzville)
Walt Disney World
Universal Studios
Lockheed Martin (simulation)
Shipping Tips for St. Louis to Orlando
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.
Orlando Seasonal Advisory
Summer vacation season and holiday weeks (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break) drive peak food service and merchandise deliveries. Convention season (January-March) adds hotel and event supply freight. Hurricane prep season creates unpredictable demand spikes.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,120 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 20 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
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 Orlando Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from St. Louis to Orlando?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from St. Louis, MO to Orlando, FL currently range from $2,408-$2,968 for a standard dry van load over the 1,120-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $816-$1,352 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 Orlando?
Standard FTL transit from St. Louis to Orlando is approximately 20 hrs by truck over 1,120 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 Orlando 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. Orlando commonly receives food & beverage (massive volumes), consumer goods, construction materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Orlando to St. Louis?
Yes. Orlando is a strong outbound market shipping simulation equipment, aerospace electronics, citrus products. Carriers returning from Orlando to St. Louis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the St. Louis-to-Orlando lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from St. Louis to Orlando?
The St. Louis-to-Orlando corridor handles a diverse freight mix. St. Louis's top outbound commodities include beer & beverages, processed foods, defense equipment, vehicles (GM), chemicals, grain products. Orlando's primary inbound freight includes food & beverage (massive volumes), consumer goods, construction materials, theme park equipment, furniture & fixtures, linens & hospitality supplies. Industries driving this lane include beer & beverage and agriculture & food from St. Louis and tourism & theme parks and simulation & training in Orlando.
Get Exact Rates for St. Louis to Orlando
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the St. Louis to Orlando lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts