Freight Shipping from Tulsa to Detroit
Ship freight from Tulsa, OK to Detroit, MI with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,270-$2,798, LTL from $781-$1,298. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,056 mi
Drive Time
19 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,270-$2,798
LTL Rate Est.
$781-$1,298
Energy & Chemicals Route
Tulsa → Detroit Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
140–157
running this lane
Weekly Loads
188–208
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
75/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$18–$30 one-way passing through OK, MI, TN, KY, VA, OH, IN, IL, MO, AR, NC. 2 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Tulsa to Detroit 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.
Detroit remains the undisputed capital of North American automotive freight. The Big Three automakers and hundreds of tier-1 suppliers generate an enormous volume of JIT parts shipments crisscrossing the Ambassador Bridge to Canadian assembly plants daily. The EV transition is reshaping freight flows, with massive battery plants from GM (Ultium) and Ford drawing new inbound raw materials from lithium and nickel sources.
The Tulsa-to-Detroit corridor spans 1,056 miles via I-44, US-75, I-75, I-94. This lane connects aerospace manufacturing and energy freight from the Tulsa market to automotive manufacturing and autonomous vehicle tech demand in Detroit. 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 Detroit Receives
Detroit's automotive manufacturing, autonomous vehicle tech, steel processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Tulsa.
auto parts (cross-border)
raw steel
aluminum
rubber & plastics
electronic components
glass
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Tulsa and Detroit, 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.
$2,270-$2,798 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.
$3,010-$3,854 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.
$781-$1,298 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Tulsa to Detroit lane (1,056 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,270-$2,798 | 19 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $781-$1,298 | 21-23 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,432-$4,752 | 13 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,426-$1,954 | 22-24 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Tulsa and Detroit that drive volume on this lane.
American Airlines Maintenance Base
NORDAM Group
Holly Frontier Refining
General Motors
Ford Motor Company
Stellantis (Chrysler)
Shipping Tips for Tulsa to Detroit
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.
Detroit Seasonal Advisory
Automotive production follows a predictable cycle with two-week shutdowns in July and late December. Model changeover periods (August-September) create surge demand for tooling and equipment freight as assembly lines are retooled.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,056 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 19 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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Tulsa and Detroit — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Tulsa, OK
- Metro Population
- 1.0M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-44, US-75, US-169
- Rail / Intermodal
- Tulsa Port of Catoosa (McClellan-Kerr Waterway)
- Port Access
- Port of Catoosa (McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, 7 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Broken Arrow/US-169 South, Catoosa/Port Industrial Park, Tulsa International Airport Area
“The Port of Catoosa handles oversized cargo that can't move efficiently by highway alone — wind turbine components, industrial boilers, and heavy machinery arrive by barge and transfer to specialized heavy-haul carriers for final-mile delivery across the region.”
Destination
Detroit, MI
- Metro Population
- 4.3M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.20-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-75, I-94, I-96
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Detroit Intermodal; CSX Livernois Junction
- Port Access
- Ambassador Bridge & Detroit-Windsor Tunnel (Canada border, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Romulus/I-94 Airport Corridor, Warren/Sterling Heights, Woodhaven/Downriver
“The Ambassador Bridge and the new Gordie Howe International Bridge handle over 8,000 trucks daily, making the Detroit-Windsor corridor the busiest commercial land crossing in North America. FAST card-holding drivers command premium rates for cross-border automotive lanes.”
Return Loads from Detroit
Detroit generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Tulsa is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Detroit
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Tulsa to Detroit Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Tulsa to Detroit?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Tulsa, OK to Detroit, MI currently range $2,270-$2,798 (roughly $2.18-$2.68 per mile over 1,056 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $781-$1,298 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced on this corridor, so booking 3-5 days out locks in the best pricing. Request a custom quote for exact rates.
How long does freight take from Tulsa to Detroit?
Standard FTL transit from Tulsa to Detroit is approximately 19 hrs by truck over 1,056 miles, with 2 typical fuel stops along the corridor. 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 via Tulsa Port of Catoosa (McClellan-Kerr Waterway) to Norfolk Southern Detroit Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Tulsa to Detroit 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. Detroit commonly receives auto parts (cross-border), raw steel, aluminum. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Detroit to Tulsa?
Strong backhaul (scored 75/100 based on Detroit's outbound commodity mix). Detroit generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Tulsa is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Detroit's top outbound commodities — finished vehicles, automotive parts & assemblies, steel coils — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Tulsa to Detroit?
The Tulsa-to-Detroit corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Energy & Chemicals Route. Tulsa's top outbound commodities include aircraft components, refined fuels, steel pipe & fittings, oil & gas equipment, processed foods, glass products. Detroit's primary inbound freight includes auto parts (cross-border), raw steel, aluminum, rubber & plastics, electronic components, glass. Industries driving this lane include aerospace manufacturing and energy from Tulsa and automotive manufacturing and autonomous vehicle tech in Detroit.
When are rates highest on the Tulsa to Detroit lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to aerospace manufacturing and energy cycles. Key periods: Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Tulsa to Detroit
We maintain working relationships with 140+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Tulsa–Detroit corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts