Houston to New Orleans Freight Rates & Lane Guide (2024)

Houston, Texas → New Orleans, Louisiana · 350 miles

Last verified: March 31, 2026 Source: DAT Freight & Analytics

Current Rate Benchmarks

FTL Dry Van

$3.20

Range: $2.60–$4.00/mile

Before fuel surcharge (~22% FSC)

LTL (Class 70)

$35.00

Range: $NaN–$NaN/cwt

Before fuel surcharge

FTL Transit Time

1 day

350 mile corridor

Standard single-driver service

Fuel Surcharge

22%

Applied to linehaul rate

Source: EIA weekly diesel avg

Lane Profile

Route	Houston, Texas → New Orleans, Louisiana
Distance	350 miles
Lane Type	regional
Lane Direction	📈 Headhaul (higher demand, higher rates)
Peak Season	Q2 hurricane prep season, Q4 holiday
Active Carriers	~340 carriers serving this lane

Market Context & Analysis

Houston to New Orleans is a Gulf Coast corridor driven primarily by petrochemical and energy shipments. New Orleans is a net importer of manufactured goods from Houston, making this a headhaul lane. Agricultural and seafood backhauls are common.

Shipper Tips for This Lane

Check hazmat requirements for chemical products. Gulf Coast hurricane season (June-Nov) can cause disruptions — build contingency time in Q3. LTL options are limited; OTR preferred.

How to Calculate Total FTL Cost

The all-in FTL cost for this lane is calculated as:

All-in cost estimate: 350 miles × $3.20/mile = $1,120 base + fuel surcharge (~22%) = ~$11,449 all-in

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.

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