Chicago–Naperville–Elgin metro → Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metro · 923 miles
| Route | Chicago, Illinois → Dallas, Texas |
|---|---|
| Distance | 923 miles |
| Lane Type | regional |
| Lane Direction | ⚖️ Balanced (strong bi-directional demand) |
| Peak Season | Q4 retail season, Q2 construction season |
| Active Carriers | ~760 carriers serving this lane |
Chicago to Dallas connects two of the top three US freight markets. Chicago's role as the nation's rail hub means a high percentage of Chicago→Dallas freight moves intermodally via Union Pacific's I-35 corridor. The lane is well-balanced with high carrier availability in both directions.
Intermodal via UP's Chicago-Dallas service is 15-20% cheaper than OTR at 2-day transit. Strong carrier competition keeps spot rates competitive. Look for backhaul savings on Dallas→Chicago (typically $0.15–0.25/mile softer).
The following carriers maintain regular capacity on the Chicago–Dallas corridor:
The all-in FTL cost for this lane is calculated as:
This estimate excludes accessorial charges (liftgate, inside delivery, residential surcharges, detention, and driver layover). Use our landed cost calculator for a comprehensive total cost of ownership.
Get matched with verified carriers and 3PLs that operate the Chicago–Dallas corridor.
Find Carriers Free →← Back to all US freight lanes · Multi-mode rate benchmarks →