Detroit, MI to Houston, TX truckload rates
Short answer: A 53' dry van truckload from Detroit, MI to Houston, TX costs about $4,085 all-in, fuel included, or $3.14 per mile over 1,302 miles (GetShippingRates price on November 3, 2026). A reefer runs about $5,022 and a flatbed about $3,902. Expect about 3 days with a solo driver, 2 with a team.
Priced November 3, 2026 · All-in prices from the GetShippingRates truckload engine, fuel included
What a truck costs on this lane
| Equipment | All-in price | Per mile | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53' dry van | $4,085 | $3.14 | General freight, palletized or floor-loaded, up to about 42,000 lb |
| 53' reefer | $5,022 | $3.86 | Temperature-controlled: produce, food, beverages, pharma |
| 48' flatbed | $3,902 | $3.00 | Steel, lumber, machinery, building materials; tarps extra |
Price on November 3, 2026, not a guaranteed rate. One pickup in Detroit and one delivery in Houston, 1,302 practical miles, live load and unload, fuel included. Truckload prices change daily with capacity; the form below prices your exact date in seconds. How our prices are built.
Distance
1,302 miPractical truck miles, Detroit to Houston.
Transit
3 daysSolo driver at about 500 miles a day; 2 with a team.
Vs. similar lanes
+1%Dry van per mile against the $3.11 median for 1,000–1,800 miles.
The other direction: Houston to Detroit
The reverse lane is $3,629 for a dry van ($2.79/mile), $456 less than Detroit to Houston. Truckload pricing is directional: a market that ships out more than it receives pays more to pull a truck out, and the trip back is cheaper because carriers want to reposition.
What moves the price
- Pickup date and lead time. Same-day and Friday pickups cost more; two to five days of notice gets the best price.
- Weight. Most dry vans carry up to about 42,000 to 44,000 lb. Heavier loads need special equipment or permits.
- Stops and appointments. Each extra stop adds a charge; tight delivery windows and drop trailers change the price.
- Detention and lumpers. Free time is usually two hours at each end; waiting past it, or a lumper to unload, is billed.
- Hazmat, team service, tarps and temperature. Each needs a qualified carrier or extra equipment.
Not a full truck? Under about 6 pallets or 10,000 lb, LTL is usually cheaper; between that and half a trailer, ask for a volume LTL quote. LTL vs truckload: when to switch.
More truckload rates
From Detroit
Into Houston
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a truckload from Detroit to Houston?
About $4,085 for a 53' dry van, $5,022 for a reefer and $3,902 for a flatbed, all-in with fuel, as of November 3, 2026. Truckload prices move with the market every day, so get a live quote for your pickup date.
What is the truckload rate per mile from Detroit to Houston?
$3.14 per mile for a dry van over 1,302 miles, fuel included. That is close to the $3.11 median for lanes of 1,000–1,800 miles on GetShippingRates. Short lanes cost more per mile because loading and unloading time is spread over fewer miles.
How long does a truckload take from Detroit to Houston?
1,302 miles is about 3 driving days for one driver, who can drive up to 11 hours a day (about 500 miles). A team can run it in 2 days for a higher rate.
Why does Houston to Detroit cost less?
Truckload prices depend on direction. The reverse lane is $3,629 for a dry van today. Markets that ship out more freight than they take in pay more to get a truck, and trucks heading back toward busy freight markets haul for less.
What's included in the price?
One pickup and one delivery, live loading and unloading with standard free time, linehaul and fuel. Extra stops, detention, lumper fees, tarps, team service and hazmat are priced on top. Freight under about 6 pallets usually ships cheaper as LTL.
Price Detroit to Houston for your date
Pick the equipment and pickup date and you’ll see an all-in truckload price in seconds. Lock it in and Armstrong Transport Group’s team confirms the truck.
Prefer to talk? Call 877-240-1181 or email info@getshippingrates.com.