Freight Shipping from Tulsa to Little Rock
Ship freight from Tulsa, OK to Little Rock, AR with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $643-$792, LTL from $364-$654. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
299 mi
Drive Time
5 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$643-$792
LTL Rate Est.
$364-$654
Tulsa to Little Rock 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.
Little Rock benefits from its central US location at the junction of I-40 and I-30, putting it within a day's drive of Dallas, Memphis, Kansas City, and St. Louis. The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System connects the metro to inland barge traffic, creating intermodal opportunities for bulk shippers. The North Little Rock rail yards are among the busiest in the mid-South, with UP and BNSF both running major classification operations.
The Tulsa-to-Little Rock corridor spans 299 miles via I-44, US-75, I-40, I-30. This lane connects aerospace manufacturing and energy freight from the Tulsa market to food processing and steel manufacturing demand in Little Rock. 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 Little Rock Receives
Little Rock's food processing, steel manufacturing, defense sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Tulsa.
raw steel
consumer goods
agricultural chemicals
petroleum products
packaging materials
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Tulsa and Little Rock, 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.
$643-$792 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.
$852-$1,091 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$942-$1,271 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.
$364-$654 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Tulsa to Little Rock lane (299 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $643-$792 | 5 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $364-$654 | 7-9 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $972-$1,346 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Tulsa and Little Rock that drive volume on this lane.
American Airlines Maintenance Base
NORDAM Group
Holly Frontier Refining
Dillard's (HQ)
Welspun Tubular
L'Oreal Manufacturing
Shipping Tips for Tulsa to Little Rock
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.
Little Rock Seasonal Advisory
Rice harvest (August-October) drives bulk and hopper trailer demand. Post-Thanksgiving through Christmas, Dillard's distribution network creates retail surge freight on lanes to the Southeast and Midwest.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 299 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.
Tulsa to Little Rock Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Tulsa to Little Rock?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Tulsa, OK to Little Rock, AR currently range from $643-$792 for a standard dry van load over the 299-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $364-$654 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 Little Rock?
Standard FTL transit from Tulsa to Little Rock is approximately 5 hrs by truck over 299 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 Tulsa to Little Rock 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. Little Rock commonly receives raw steel, consumer goods, agricultural chemicals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Little Rock to Tulsa?
Yes. Little Rock is a strong outbound market shipping processed poultry, steel products, rice & grains. Carriers returning from Little Rock to Tulsa can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Tulsa-to-Little Rock lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Tulsa to Little Rock?
The Tulsa-to-Little Rock 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. Little Rock's primary inbound freight includes raw steel, consumer goods, agricultural chemicals, petroleum products, packaging materials, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include aerospace manufacturing and energy from Tulsa and food processing and steel manufacturing in Little Rock.
Get Exact Rates for Tulsa to Little Rock
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Tulsa to Little Rock lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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