LTL Shipping From Houston: Rates & Transit
What it actually costs to ship LTL freight out of the Houston area, how long it takes and where it goes, from 3,520 shipments Armstrong Transport Group arranged from September 2025 – August 2026.
Where Houston freight goes
Pickups came mostly from Houston, TX, Stafford, TX, Sugar Land, TX, Conroe, TX and La Porte, TX. By destination, the top states were:
| Destination state | Share of shipments |
|---|---|
| Texas | 21% |
| California | 8% |
| Florida | 7% |
| North Carolina | 5% |
| Illinois | 3% |
| Louisiana | 3% |
What LTL shipping costs from Houston
These are the all-in rates Armstrong customers actually paid from Houston 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 | $240 – $400 | $325 | 682 |
| 500–999 lb | $270 – $395 | $335 | 1,184 |
| 1,000–2,499 lb | $305 – $580 | $420 | 832 |
| 2,500–4,999 lb | $375 – $795 | $540 | 471 |
| 5,000–9,999 lb | $455 – $1,205 | $745 | 274 |
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 Texas below or see how distance changes pallet shipping costs.
Transit time and carriers from Houston
The median LTL shipment from Houston delivered in 2 business days after pickup, and 80% arrived within 4 business days (based on 3,494 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, Southeastern Freight Lines and Averitt Express moved 49% of the freight we arranged from Houston; the rest went to R+L Carriers and TForce Freight and other national and regional carriers, depending on which one priced each shipment best.
| Carrier | Share of shipments |
|---|---|
| AAA Cooper Transportation | 25% |
| Southeastern Freight Lines | 13% |
| Averitt Express | 11% |
| R+L Carriers | 9% |
| TForce Freight | 7% |
What ships from Houston
The median shipment weighed 850 lb at a median freight class of 70. The most common classes were class 100 (29%), class 65 (24%) and class 70 (10%). 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 industrial machinery & equipment (43%), plastics & packaging (23%), chemicals & consumer products (12%) and wholesale distribution (8%), among shipments where the shipper’s industry is known.
Shipping freight out of Texas
Texas is one of the busiest LTL states in the country. Dallas–Fort Worth and Houston are two of the largest freight markets in the U.S., I-35 carries cross-border freight from Laredo, and the Rio Grande Valley brings produce and manufactured goods north from Mexico. Distances inside Texas are long, so an intrastate move can still take two days.
GetLTLRates compares tariff, dynamic and volume LTL pricing from 50+ carriers for Houston 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 Houston?
For a 500–999 lb LTL shipment out of the Houston area, the middle half of Armstrong customers paid $270 to $395 all-in, median $335, 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 Houston?
Across all destinations, the median shipment from Houston 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 Houston?
On freight Armstrong arranged from Houston, the most-used carriers were AAA Cooper Transportation, Southeastern Freight Lines, Averitt Express and R+L Carriers, 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 Houston?
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 Houston 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.