Freight Shipping from Tulsa to Birmingham
Ship freight from Tulsa, OK to Birmingham, AL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,542-$1,900, LTL from $594-$1,009. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
717 mi
Drive Time
13 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,542-$1,900
LTL Rate Est.
$594-$1,009
Tulsa to Birmingham Freight Corridor
Tulsa is the aerospace maintenance capital of the central U.S., with American Airlines operating its largest MRO facility here — capable of servicing widebody aircraft. The Port of Catoosa, America's most inland river port, connects Tulsa to the Gulf of Mexico via the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, enabling barge-to-truck transloading for heavy industrial freight. The city's legacy oil refining infrastructure creates steady tanker and hazmat volumes.
Birmingham sits at the crossroads of I-20 and I-65, making it the natural distribution pivot between the Gulf Coast and the upper Southeast. The metro's steel heritage lives on through McWane and U.S. Steel operations that keep flatbed demand consistently high. Mercedes-Benz and Honda assembly plants in Tuscaloosa and Lincoln create a steady diet of JIT automotive freight moving on dedicated lanes to suppliers across the Midwest.
The Tulsa-to-Birmingham corridor spans 717 miles via I-44, US-75, I-20, I-65. This lane connects aerospace manufacturing and energy freight from the Tulsa market to automotive manufacturing and steel production demand in Birmingham. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Tulsa
Tulsa's economy is driven by aerospace manufacturing, energy, steel fabrication, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
aircraft components
refined fuels
steel pipe & fittings
oil & gas equipment
processed foods
glass products
What Birmingham Receives
Birmingham's automotive manufacturing, steel production, medical devices sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Tulsa.
raw iron ore
automotive components
consumer electronics
building materials
petroleum products
packaging materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Tulsa and Birmingham, 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.
$1,542-$1,900 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.
$2,043-$2,617 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,259-$3,047 estimated for this lane
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
Cost-effective for shipments under 10,000 lbs or fewer than 10 pallets. Shared trailer space with other shippers reduces cost for smaller loads.
$594-$1,009 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Tulsa to Birmingham lane (717 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,542-$1,900 | 13 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $594-$1,009 | 15-17 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,330-$3,227 | 9 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $968-$1,326 | 16-18 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Tulsa and Birmingham that drive volume on this lane.
American Airlines Maintenance Base
NORDAM Group
Holly Frontier Refining
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International
U.S. Steel
Honda Manufacturing of Alabama
Shipping Tips for Tulsa to Birmingham
Tulsa Seasonal Advisory
Aerospace MRO work peaks during winter when airlines pull aircraft from service for heavy maintenance checks. Refinery output is steady but turnaround seasons (spring and fall) temporarily reduce outbound tanker volumes while increasing inbound equipment freight.
Birmingham Seasonal Advisory
Steel shipments peak Q1-Q2 as construction season ramps up. Automotive freight dips during the two-week July shutdown at Mercedes and Honda plants.
Overnight Transit
This 717-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.
Tulsa to Birmingham Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Tulsa to Birmingham?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Tulsa, OK to Birmingham, AL currently range from $1,542-$1,900 for a standard dry van load over the 717-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $594-$1,009 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 Tulsa to Birmingham?
Standard FTL transit from Tulsa to Birmingham is approximately 13 hrs by truck over 717 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 Tulsa to Birmingham freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Tulsa commonly ships aircraft components, refined fuels, steel pipe & fittings, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Birmingham commonly receives raw iron ore, automotive components, consumer electronics. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Birmingham to Tulsa?
Yes. Birmingham is a strong outbound market shipping steel coils & pipe, automotive parts, medical equipment. Carriers returning from Birmingham to Tulsa can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Tulsa-to-Birmingham lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Tulsa to Birmingham?
The Tulsa-to-Birmingham corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Tulsa's top outbound commodities include aircraft components, refined fuels, steel pipe & fittings, oil & gas equipment, processed foods, glass products. Birmingham's primary inbound freight includes raw iron ore, automotive components, consumer electronics, building materials, petroleum products, packaging materials. Industries driving this lane include aerospace manufacturing and energy from Tulsa and automotive manufacturing and steel production in Birmingham.
Get Exact Rates for Tulsa to Birmingham
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