Freight Shipping from Tulsa to Minneapolis
Ship freight from Tulsa, OK to Minneapolis, MN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,750-$2,157, LTL from $648-$1,092. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
814 mi
Drive Time
15 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,750-$2,157
LTL Rate Est.
$648-$1,092
Consumer Goods Corridor
Tulsa → Minneapolis Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
129–146
running this lane
Weekly Loads
191–206
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
73/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$9–$15 one-way passing through OK, MN, MO, AR. 2 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Tulsa to Minneapolis 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.
Minneapolis-St. Paul is the Upper Midwest's dominant freight hub, anchored by Fortune 500 shippers like Target, General Mills, 3M, and Medtronic. Target's distribution network alone generates thousands of truckloads weekly from its Midwest DCs. The Twin Cities' position at the intersection of I-94 and I-35 makes it the natural routing point for freight moving between Chicago, the Dakotas, and the Canadian border.
The Tulsa-to-Minneapolis corridor spans 814 miles via I-44, US-75, I-94, I-35. This lane connects aerospace manufacturing and energy freight from the Tulsa market to food processing & cpg and medical devices demand in Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis Receives
Minneapolis's food processing & cpg, medical devices, retail headquarters sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Tulsa.
consumer goods
raw grain & commodities
packaging materials
electronics
building materials
imported merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Tulsa and Minneapolis, 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.
$1,750-$2,157 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.
$2,320-$2,971 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.
$648-$1,092 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Tulsa to Minneapolis lane (814 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,750-$2,157 | 15 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $648-$1,092 | 17-19 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,646-$3,663 | 10 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,099-$1,506 | 18-20 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Tulsa and Minneapolis that drive volume on this lane.
American Airlines Maintenance Base
NORDAM Group
Holly Frontier Refining
General Mills
Target Corporation
Medtronic
Shipping Tips for Tulsa to Minneapolis
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.
Minneapolis Seasonal Advisory
Harvest season (September-November) floods the market with grain trucks competing for capacity on I-94 and I-35. Winter weather from November through March regularly shuts down I-94 westbound, creating rate spikes and transit delays.
Overnight Transit
This 814-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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Tulsa and Minneapolis — 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
Minneapolis, MN
- Metro Population
- 3.7M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-94, I-35, I-494
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Midway Intermodal; UP Minneapolis Yard; CP Shoreham Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- Shakopee/Savage I-35 South, Rogers/I-94 West, Eagan/I-35E Corridor
“Minneapolis is a net-negative freight market — more goods flow in than out — which means carriers can often negotiate premium rates for outbound loads. Brokers who can offer consistent outbound volume from General Mills or 3M facilities have significant carrier recruitment advantages.”
Return Loads from Minneapolis
Minneapolis generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Tulsa is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Minneapolis
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Tulsa to Minneapolis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Tulsa to Minneapolis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Tulsa, OK to Minneapolis, MN currently range $1,750-$2,157 (roughly $2.17-$2.67 per mile over 814 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $648-$1,092 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 Minneapolis?
Standard FTL transit from Tulsa to Minneapolis is approximately 15 hrs by truck over 814 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 BNSF Midway Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Tulsa to Minneapolis 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. Minneapolis commonly receives consumer goods, raw grain & commodities, packaging materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Minneapolis to Tulsa?
Strong backhaul (scored 73/100 based on Minneapolis's outbound commodity mix). Minneapolis generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Tulsa is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Minneapolis's top outbound commodities — processed foods & cereal, medical devices, retail distribution — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Tulsa to Minneapolis?
The Tulsa-to-Minneapolis corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Tulsa's top outbound commodities include aircraft components, refined fuels, steel pipe & fittings, oil & gas equipment, processed foods, glass products. Minneapolis's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, raw grain & commodities, packaging materials, electronics, building materials, imported merchandise. Industries driving this lane include aerospace manufacturing and energy from Tulsa and food processing & CPG and medical devices in Minneapolis.
When are rates highest on the Tulsa to Minneapolis lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to aerospace manufacturing and energy cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Tulsa to Minneapolis
We maintain working relationships with 129+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Tulsa–Minneapolis corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
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