Freight Shipping from Tulsa to Houston
Ship freight from Tulsa, OK to Houston, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,238-$1,526, LTL from $517-$890. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
576 mi
Drive Time
10 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,238-$1,526
LTL Rate Est.
$517-$890
Tulsa to Houston 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.
Houston is the energy capital of the world, and its freight profile reflects it. The Houston Ship Channel — a 52-mile industrial corridor lined with the highest concentration of refineries and petrochemical plants on Earth — generates massive tanker, flatbed, and hazmat freight volumes. Port Houston ranks first in the U.S. for foreign waterborne tonnage and handles more export cargo than any other American port. The Texas Medical Center, the world's largest, adds a significant layer of pharmaceutical and medical equipment freight.
The Tulsa-to-Houston corridor spans 576 miles via I-44, US-75, I-10, I-45. This lane connects aerospace manufacturing and energy freight from the Tulsa market to oil & gas and petrochemicals demand in Houston. 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 Houston Receives
Houston's oil & gas, petrochemicals, healthcare (texas medical center) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Tulsa.
crude oil
containerized imports
steel pipe
industrial chemicals
consumer goods
drilling equipment
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Tulsa and Houston, 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.
$1,238-$1,526 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.
$1,642-$2,102 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,814-$2,448 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.
$517-$890 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Tulsa to Houston lane (576 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,238-$1,526 | 10 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $517-$890 | 12-14 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,872-$2,592 | 7 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $778-$1,066 | 13-15 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Tulsa and Houston that drive volume on this lane.
American Airlines Maintenance Base
NORDAM Group
Holly Frontier Refining
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
Shipping Tips for Tulsa to Houston
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.
Houston Seasonal Advisory
Hurricane season (June-November) is the dominant variable — storms can shut down the Ship Channel and port for days, creating massive freight backlogs and rate spikes. Petrochemical production is year-round but refinery turnarounds in spring and fall temporarily shift freight patterns.
Overnight Transit
This 576-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 Houston Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Tulsa to Houston?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Tulsa, OK to Houston, TX currently range from $1,238-$1,526 for a standard dry van load over the 576-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $517-$890 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 Houston?
Standard FTL transit from Tulsa to Houston is approximately 10 hrs by truck over 576 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 Houston 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. Houston commonly receives crude oil, containerized imports, steel pipe. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Houston to Tulsa?
Yes. Houston is a strong outbound market shipping refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins. Carriers returning from Houston to Tulsa can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Tulsa-to-Houston lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Tulsa to Houston?
The Tulsa-to-Houston 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. Houston's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, steel pipe, industrial chemicals, consumer goods, drilling equipment. Industries driving this lane include aerospace manufacturing and energy from Tulsa and oil & gas and petrochemicals in Houston.
Get Exact Rates for Tulsa to Houston
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Tulsa to Houston lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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