LTL Shipping From Chicago: Rates & Transit
What it actually costs to ship LTL freight out of the Chicago area, how long it takes and where it goes, from 5,561 shipments Armstrong Transport Group arranged from September 2025 – August 2026.
Where Chicago freight goes
Pickups came mostly from Bolingbrook, IL, Chicago, IL, Lyons, IL, Algonquin, IL and Bensenville, IL. By destination, the top states were:
| Destination state | Share of shipments |
|---|---|
| Texas | 8% |
| California | 8% |
| Florida | 6% |
| Tennessee | 6% |
| Illinois | 6% |
| Michigan | 5% |
What LTL shipping costs from Chicago
These are the all-in rates Armstrong customers actually paid from Chicago from September 2025 – August 2026, including fuel and any accessorials. The range is the middle 50% of shipments in each weight bracket, so a quarter paid less and a quarter paid more, mostly because of freight class, accessorials and timing.
| Shipment weight | Typical range | Median | Shipments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 500 lb | $255 – $1,405 | $430 | 2,300 |
| 500–999 lb | $270 – $930 | $390 | 1,005 |
| 1,000–2,499 lb | $300 – $695 | $445 | 1,067 |
| 2,500–4,999 lb | $425 – $835 | $595 | 619 |
| 5,000–9,999 lb | $560 – $1,030 | $765 | 413 |
Historical rates, rounded to $5, shown for budgeting only. They aren’t a quote: your price depends on exact ZIPs, freight class, pickup date and accessorials. See national pallet shipping costs for comparison.
Those ranges blend every destination, from next-door deliveries to cross-country moves. For a tighter number, check the lane pages for Illinois below or see how distance changes pallet shipping costs.
Transit time and carriers from Chicago
The median LTL shipment from Chicago delivered in 2 business days after pickup, and 80% arrived within 4 business days (based on 5,427 delivered shipments). Standard LTL transit is an estimate, not a promise; if a delivery date matters, ask for a guaranteed service. More on how LTL transit times work.
No single carrier wins every shipment. AAA Cooper Transportation, XPO and R+L Carriers moved 42% of the freight we arranged from Chicago; the rest went to TForce Freight and Estes Express Lines and other national and regional carriers, depending on which one priced each shipment best.
| Carrier | Share of shipments |
|---|---|
| AAA Cooper Transportation | 24% |
| XPO | 10% |
| R+L Carriers | 8% |
| TForce Freight | 7% |
| Estes Express Lines | 7% |
What ships from Chicago
The median shipment weighed 680 lb at a median freight class of 100. The most common classes were class 250 (20%), class 175 (11%) and class 70 (11%). Lighter, bulkier freight rates in higher classes and costs more per pound, which is why measuring density before you quote matters.
By type of shipper, the biggest groups were plastics & packaging (41%), food & beverage (14%), chemicals & consumer products (11%) and wholesale distribution (8%), among shipments where the shipper’s industry is known.
Shipping freight out of Illinois
Illinois is the rail and trucking crossroads of the Midwest. The Chicago area, including the I-55 and I-80 warehouse corridors near Joliet, is one of the densest LTL markets anywhere, with many carrier terminals and strong competition.
GetLTLRates compares tariff, dynamic and volume LTL pricing from 50+ carriers for Chicago pickups, and a dedicated Armstrong team handles scheduling, tracking and the final invoice.
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Get my free rates →Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a pallet from Chicago?
For a 500–999 lb LTL shipment out of the Chicago area, the middle half of Armstrong customers paid $270 to $930 all-in, median $390, across all destinations (September 2025 – August 2026). Distance is the biggest swing factor: a local or in-state delivery costs far less than a cross-country one.
How long does LTL take from Chicago?
Across all destinations, the median shipment from Chicago delivered in 2 business days after pickup and 80% arrived within 4 business days. In-state and neighboring-state deliveries usually take 1–2 days; cross-country lanes typically take 4 or more.
Which LTL carriers pick up in Chicago?
On freight Armstrong arranged from Chicago, the most-used carriers were AAA Cooper Transportation, XPO, R+L Carriers and TForce Freight, but dozens of national and regional carriers serve the area. Quoting them side by side is the fastest way to find the best price for a specific shipment.
Can I get a same-day LTL pickup in Chicago?
Often, yes, if the shipment is booked early in the day and the carrier has a driver in the area. Late bookings usually roll to the next business day. A specialist can confirm pickup windows when you book.
Related
Figures are from LTL freight arranged through the Armstrong Transport Group network with pickups in the Chicago area, September 2025 – August 2026. Price ranges are the middle 50% of all-in paid rates, rounded to $5, for budgeting only; they are not a quote.