Freight Shipping from Tulsa to New Orleans
Ship freight from Tulsa, OK to New Orleans, LA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,533-$1,889, LTL from $592-$1,006. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
713 mi
Drive Time
13 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,533-$1,889
LTL Rate Est.
$592-$1,006
Port Drayage Corridor
Tulsa → New Orleans Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
141–165
running this lane
Weekly Loads
192–210
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
69/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$7–$12 one-way passing through OK, LA, TN, MO, AR. 1 typical fuel stop 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 New Orleans 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.
New Orleans commands the mouth of the Mississippi River, the most important commercial waterway in the Western Hemisphere. The Port of South Louisiana complex (stretching from New Orleans to Baton Rouge) handles more tonnage than any other port district in the US, with grain exports from the Midwest heartland meeting oceangoing vessels at 60+ terminals along the river. The city's petrochemical corridor generates hazmat tanker freight on an industrial scale, while the tourism economy demands a constant flow of food, beverage, and hospitality supplies.
The Tulsa-to-New Orleans corridor spans 713 miles via I-44, US-75, I-10, I-55. This lane connects aerospace manufacturing and energy freight from the Tulsa market to petrochemicals and port operations demand in New Orleans. 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 New Orleans Receives
New Orleans's petrochemicals, port operations, tourism & hospitality sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Tulsa.
crude oil
steel & metals
containerized imports
construction materials
food service supplies
industrial chemicals
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Tulsa and New Orleans, 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.
$1,533-$1,889 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.
$2,032-$2,602 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,246-$3,030 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.
$592-$1,006 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Tulsa to New Orleans lane (713 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,533-$1,889 | 13 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $592-$1,006 | 15-17 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,317-$3,209 | 9 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $963-$1,319 | 16-18 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Tulsa and New Orleans that drive volume on this lane.
American Airlines Maintenance Base
NORDAM Group
Holly Frontier Refining
Port of New Orleans
Entergy
Folgers/J.M. Smucker (coffee roasting)
Shipping Tips for Tulsa to New Orleans
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.
New Orleans Seasonal Advisory
Mardi Gras (February-March) drives a spike in food service and event freight. Hurricane season (June-November) can disrupt port and refinery operations for weeks. Grain export season peaks October through January as the harvest moves downriver.
Overnight Transit
This 713-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 New Orleans — 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
New Orleans, LA
- Metro Population
- 1.3M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.20-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-10, I-55, I-310
- Rail / Intermodal
- NS New Orleans Intermodal; CN/IC New Orleans Gateway
- Port Access
- Port of New Orleans (0 mi) / Port of South Louisiana (30 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Elmwood/Harahan, New Orleans East/I-10, Westwego/Harvey Canal
“The Mississippi River grain elevator system allows Midwest farmers to move corn and soybeans by barge to New Orleans at roughly one-third the cost of trucking. But the truck-to-barge transfer points create concentrated freight demand at river terminals that savvy carriers exploit for premium drayage rates.”
Return Loads from New Orleans
New Orleans generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Tulsa is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from New Orleans
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Tulsa to New Orleans Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Tulsa to New Orleans?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Tulsa, OK to New Orleans, LA currently range $1,533-$1,889 (roughly $2.17-$2.67 per mile over 713 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $592-$1,006 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 New Orleans?
Standard FTL transit from Tulsa to New Orleans is approximately 13 hrs by truck over 713 miles, with 1 typical fuel stop 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 NS New Orleans Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Tulsa to New Orleans 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. New Orleans commonly receives crude oil, steel & metals, containerized imports. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from New Orleans to Tulsa?
Strong backhaul (scored 69/100 based on New Orleans's outbound commodity mix). New Orleans generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Tulsa is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. New Orleans's top outbound commodities — petroleum products, chemical products, grain exports — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Tulsa to New Orleans?
The Tulsa-to-New Orleans corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Tulsa's top outbound commodities include aircraft components, refined fuels, steel pipe & fittings, oil & gas equipment, processed foods, glass products. New Orleans's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, steel & metals, containerized imports, construction materials, food service supplies, industrial chemicals. Industries driving this lane include aerospace manufacturing and energy from Tulsa and petrochemicals and port operations in New Orleans.
When are rates highest on the Tulsa to New Orleans lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to aerospace manufacturing and energy cycles. Key periods: 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 New Orleans
We maintain working relationships with 141+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Tulsa–New Orleans 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