Freight Shipping from St. Louis to Springfield
Ship freight from St. Louis, MO to Springfield, MO with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $544-$670, LTL from $339-$615. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
253 mi
Drive Time
5 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$544-$670
LTL Rate Est.
$339-$615
St. Louis to Springfield 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.
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.
The St. Louis-to-Springfield corridor spans 253 miles via I-44. This lane connects beer & beverage and agriculture & food freight from the St. Louis market to food & dairy processing and trucking & logistics demand in Springfield. 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 Springfield Receives
Springfield's food & dairy processing, trucking & logistics, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like St. Louis.
raw milk
livestock
steel & metals
packaging materials
consumer goods
lumber
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between St. Louis and Springfield, 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.
$544-$670 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.
$670-$848 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.
$721-$923 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$797-$1,075 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the St. Louis to Springfield lane (253 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $544-$670 | 5 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $339-$615 | 7-9 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $822-$1,139 | 3 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both St. Louis and Springfield that drive volume on this lane.
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Boeing Defense
General Motors (Wentzville)
O'Reilly Auto Parts (HQ)
Bass Pro Shops (HQ)
Great Dane Trailers
Shipping Tips for St. Louis to Springfield
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.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 253 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
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 Springfield Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from St. Louis to Springfield?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from St. Louis, MO to Springfield, MO currently range from $544-$670 for a standard dry van load over the 253-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $339-$615 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 Springfield?
Standard FTL transit from St. Louis to Springfield is approximately 5 hrs by truck over 253 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%.
What equipment do I need for St. Louis to Springfield 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. Springfield commonly receives raw milk, livestock, steel & metals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Springfield to St. Louis?
Yes. Springfield is a strong outbound market shipping dairy products, processed meats, trailer assemblies (Great Dane). Carriers returning from Springfield to St. Louis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the St. Louis-to-Springfield lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from St. Louis to Springfield?
The St. Louis-to-Springfield corridor handles a diverse freight mix. St. Louis's top outbound commodities include beer & beverages, processed foods, defense equipment, vehicles (GM), chemicals, grain products. Springfield's primary inbound freight includes raw milk, livestock, steel & metals, packaging materials, consumer goods, lumber. Industries driving this lane include beer & beverage and agriculture & food from St. Louis and food & dairy processing and trucking & logistics in Springfield.
Get Exact Rates for St. Louis to Springfield
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the St. Louis to Springfield lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts