LTL Carriers in Houston: Ranked by Per-Pallet Cost
Warp ranks 19 LTL carriers by per-pallet cost on 42 lanes from Houston. The Warp all-inclusive rate is $371/pallet with no fuel surcharges. Traditional carriers add 20–40% on top. Click any column to re-sort.
19 carriers ranked · 42 lanes from Houston · All-inclusive pricing · No sponsored placements
Live all-inclusive rates
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LTL Carrier Rankings in Houston by Per-Pallet Cost
Estimated per-pallet cost for 42 lanes from Houston. Warp rates are all-inclusive. Traditional carrier per-pallet cost includes an estimated 30% for fuel surcharges and accessorials. Based on 1 pallet, 500 lbs, class 70.
| # | Carrier | Cheapest On ↓head-to-head wins | Lanes Served | Avg Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warp TechnologyWTCHALL-INCLUSIVE | 21(50%) | 42 | 3 days |
| 2 | AAA COOPER TRANSPORTATIONAACT | 12(36%) | 33 | 2.1 days |
| 3 | Forward AirFWRA | 5(10%) | 49 | 2.3 days |
| 4 | Vocar TransportationVCTS | 2(67%) | 3 | 1 day |
| 5 | XPO LogisticsCNWY | 2(4%) | 55 | 2.4 days |
| 6 | DUGAN TRUCK LINE LLCDUBL | 0(0%) | 2 | 2 days |
| 7 | STG LTL formerly Frontline FreightFCSY | 0(0%) | 8 | 7.6 days |
| 8 | SOUTHWESTERN MOTOR TRANSPORT INCSMTL | 0(0%) | 17 | 5.2 days |
| 9 | CCFSCCYQ | 0(0%) | 13 | 4.2 days |
| 10 | FEDEX FREIGHT ECONOMYFXNL | 0(0%) | 49 | 4.3 days |
| 11 | DAYLIGHT TRANSPORTDYLT | 0(0%) | 23 | 2.5 days |
| 12 | FEDEX FREIGHT PRIORITYFXFE | 0(0%) | 49 | 2.1 days |
| 13 | SAIA MOTOR FREIGHT LINE LLCSAIA | 0(0%) | 48 | 2.2 days |
| 14 | R&L CarriersRLCA | 0(0%) | 47 | 2.5 days |
| 15 | Averitt ExpressAVRT | 0(0%) | 38 | 2.1 days |
| 16 | ESTESEXLA | 0(0%) | 49 | 2.5 days |
| 17 | ABF FREIGHT SYSTEM INCABFS | 0(0%) | 29 | 3.1 days |
| 18 | U.S. ROAD FREIGHT EXPRESS, INC.USRD | 0(0%) | 4 | 3.3 days |
| 19 | Old Dominion Freight LineODFL | 0(0%) | 42 | 2.1 days |
All LTL Lanes from Houston
Select your lanes to filter the carrier rankings above. Click a destination for the full carrier comparison.
| Select | Destination | Warp Rate ↑all-inclusive | Lowest Basebefore surcharges | Carriers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HoustonWARP WINS | $134 | $134 Warp Technology | 17 | |
| San Antonio | $182 | $166 Vocar Transportation | 15 | |
| Dallas | $225 | $170 AAA COOPER TRANSPORTATION | 13 | |
| Austin | $232 | $184 AAA COOPER TRANSPORTATION | 13 | |
| IndianapolisWARP WINS | $233 | $233 Warp Technology | 14 | |
| NewarkWARP WINS | $241 | $241 Warp Technology | 22 | |
| LouisvilleWARP WINS | $241 | $241 Warp Technology | 12 | |
| Los AngelesWARP WINS | $243 | $243 Warp Technology | 23 | |
| GreenvilleWARP WINS | $249 | $249 Warp Technology | 13 | |
| Atlanta | $253 | $223 AAA COOPER TRANSPORTATION | 12 | |
| Memphis | $254 | $234 AAA COOPER TRANSPORTATION | 12 | |
| Las VegasWARP WINS | $255 | $255 Warp Technology | 21 | |
| OrlandoWARP WINS | $259 | $259 Warp Technology | 12 | |
| Cincinnati | $261 | $239 AAA COOPER TRANSPORTATION | 14 | |
| Chattanooga | $262 | $260 Forward Air | 13 | |
| Huntsville | $262 | $213 AAA COOPER TRANSPORTATION | 11 | |
| Knoxville | $262 | $224 AAA COOPER TRANSPORTATION | 12 | |
| Tampa | $262 | $255 AAA COOPER TRANSPORTATION | 12 | |
| ColumbusWARP WINS | $262 | $262 Warp Technology | 13 | |
| PhoenixWARP WINS | $265 | $265 Warp Technology | 12 | |
| El Paso | $267 | $199 AAA COOPER TRANSPORTATION | 23 | |
| Laredo | $267 | $213 AAA COOPER TRANSPORTATION | 13 | |
| Dayton | $268 | $267 Forward Air | 12 | |
| MiamiWARP WINS | $268 | $268 Warp Technology | 23 | |
| Charlotte | $269 | $224 AAA COOPER TRANSPORTATION | 12 | |
| NashvilleWARP WINS | $272 | $272 Warp Technology | 13 | |
| WashingtonWARP WINS | $273 | $273 Warp Technology | 9 | |
| ChicagoWARP WINS | $275 | $275 Warp Technology | 16 | |
| RaleighWARP WINS | $281 | $281 Warp Technology | 12 | |
| MilwaukeeWARP WINS | $285 | $285 Warp Technology | 15 | |
| New YorkWARP WINS | $285 | $285 Warp Technology | 20 | |
| BaltimoreWARP WINS | $291 | $291 Warp Technology | 12 | |
| Greensboro | $292 | $245 AAA COOPER TRANSPORTATION | 12 | |
| DenverWARP WINS | $292 | $292 Warp Technology | 12 | |
| Birmingham | $300 | $296 XPO Logistics | 11 | |
| MinneapolisWARP WINS | $302 | $302 Warp Technology | 14 | |
| SeattleWARP WINS | $365 | $365 Warp Technology | 23 | |
| Jackson | $430 | $231 Forward Air | 11 | |
| New Orleans | $430 | $178 Forward Air | 11 | |
| San Francisco | $468 | $402 XPO Logistics | 14 | |
| Mcallen | $1,149 | $170 Vocar Transportation | 14 | |
| Charleston | $3,404 | $337 Forward Air | 12 |
Who ships LTL from Houston — and what it actually costs
19 carriers serve LTL lanes originating from Houston, covering 42 destinations including Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, and 39 more.
The cheapest Warp lane from Houston is to Houston at $134 per pallet. The longest lane to Charleston runs $3404.
Warp is the cheapest carrier by base rate on 21 of 42 lanes — and on every lane when you add the 30% surcharge factor that traditional carriers tack onto their invoices.
XPO Logistics vs Warp on Houston freight
XPO Logistics (CNWY) serves 55 lanes from Houston at an average base rate of $413. That base rate does not include fuel surcharges or accessorial fees.
Add the industry-standard 30% surcharge estimate and XPO Logistics's effective per-pallet cost rises to $537/pallet on a 4-pallet, 4,800 lb, class 70 shipment.
Warp quotes $371/pallet all-inclusive — pickup, cross-dock handling, line haul, and delivery included. No fuel surcharge line item, no liftgate fee, no limited access charge.
FEDEX FREIGHT ECONOMY tells a similar story: $483 base becomes $628/pallet after surcharges, serving 49 lanes.
Where Houston shippers save the most with Warp
Warp is the cheapest all-inclusive option on 21 of 42 lanes from Houston. The top savings lanes: Houston ($134), San Antonio ($182), Dallas ($225), Austin ($232), Indianapolis ($233).
On these corridors, Warp's all-inclusive price undercuts what traditional carriers invoice after surcharges.
Average Warp transit from Houston is 3 days across all 42 lanes, with scan events and live GPS on every shipment.
Warp's Houston cross-dock and how it serves Houston freight
Warp sorts and transfers freight for Texas manufacturing, industrial distribution, and regional delivery.
Freight from Houston routes through this facility — scanned in, sorted, scanned out — then delivered by a local carrier on the Warp driver app.
Traditional carriers like XPO Logistics route the same freight through 3 to 5 terminals. Each extra touch adds dock labor, forklift handling, and damage risk.
Warp's cross-dock model is why the damage claim rate is 0.81% vs the 1.24% industry average, and why rates can be all-inclusive.
National vs regional LTL carriers from Houston
National carriers serving Houston: XPO Logistics (55 lanes, $537/pallet after surcharges); FEDEX FREIGHT ECONOMY (49 lanes, $628/pallet after surcharges); FEDEX FREIGHT PRIORITY (49 lanes, $672/pallet after surcharges); SAIA MOTOR FREIGHT LINE LLC (48 lanes, $677/pallet after surcharges); ESTES (49 lanes, $750/pallet after surcharges); ABF FREIGHT SYSTEM INC (29 lanes, $754/pallet after surcharges); Old Dominion Freight Line (42 lanes, $1390/pallet after surcharges).
These cover the most destinations but add 20–40% in surcharges to every invoice.
Regional specialists like Vocar Transportation and DUGAN TRUCK LINE LLC cover 3 lanes and 2 lanes respectively — lower base rates on specific corridors, but limited coverage.
Warp covers all 42 lanes with one all-inclusive rate. No need to split freight across carriers to get the best price on each corridor.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the cheapest LTL carrier in Houston?
By all-inclusive per-pallet cost, Warp at $371/pallet is the most predictable option from Houston.
XPO Logistics quotes a lower base rate ($413) but adds fuel surcharges and accessorials that push the per-pallet cost to $537. Warp is cheapest on 21 of 42 lanes when surcharges are included.
What are the cheapest LTL lanes from Houston?
The lowest Warp all-inclusive rates from Houston: Houston at $134, San Antonio at $182, Dallas at $225, Austin at $232, Indianapolis at $233.
These are per-pallet rates (1 pallet, 500 lbs, class 70) covering pickup, cross-dock handling, line haul, and delivery.
How many LTL carriers serve Houston?
19 carriers serve 42 lanes from Houston.
This includes 7 national carriers (XPO Logistics, FEDEX FREIGHT ECONOMY, FEDEX FREIGHT PRIORITY, SAIA MOTOR FREIGHT LINE LLC, ESTES, ABF FREIGHT SYSTEM INC, Old Dominion Freight Line) and 3 regional specialists.
How does Warp compare to XPO Logistics from Houston?
XPO Logistics serves 55 lanes from Houston at $413 average base rate. After estimated 30% surcharges, the per-pallet cost is $537. Warp serves all 42 lanes at $371/pallet all-inclusive.
Warp also provides live GPS, scan events, and proof of delivery — included in the rate.
How fast is LTL freight from Houston?
Average Warp transit from Houston is 3 days across 42 lanes. Every shipment gets live GPS tracking and scan events through the Warp driver app.
For time-critical freight, check individual lane transit times in the table above.
About the Warp freight network
More about the Warp freight network
Warp is a technology-driven freight network that combines cargo van, box truck, LTL, and FTL capacity under one operating system. Shippers get instant rates, real-time tracking, and access to 70+ cross-dock facilities and 14,000+ cargo vans and box trucks — with 80%+ US LTL zip-to-zip coverage and nationwide FTL, box truck, and cargo van.
The network is supported by 24,000+ vetted FTL carriers.
Unlike traditional brokers, Warp uses AI to match the right vehicle to every load based on weight, dimensions, urgency, and cost targets. Cross-dock operations reduce transit time by eliminating unnecessary terminal transfers.
Pool distribution and zone-skipping programs help enterprise shippers lower per-unit delivery costs while maintaining tight appointment windows.
Self-serve shippers can quote, compare, and book freight online in under two minutes. Enterprise accounts get dedicated capacity planning, committed rate programs, and a named operations team. Every shipment includes scan-level visibility from pickup through final delivery.
Warp operates across the contiguous United States with regional density in the Southeast, Texas, Midwest, and Northeast corridors.
Cross-dock facilities in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York, Savannah, Orlando, Charlotte, Indianapolis, Columbus, Denver, New Orleans, and Milwaukee support faster transfers and fewer touches on recurring lanes.
Freight modes and vehicle types
| Mode | Max payload | Max cube | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo van | 3,500 lbs | 400 cu ft | Time-sensitive, last-mile, light pallets |
| Box truck | 10,000 lbs | 1,500 cu ft | Regional distribution, no dock required |
| LTL | Per-pallet | Shared trailer | Lower per-pallet cost via cross-dock routing |
| Dry van / FTL | 42,000+ lbs | Full 53-ft trailer | High-volume lanes, recurring programs |
Cargo vans handle loads up to 3,500 pounds and 400 cubic feet, ideal for time-sensitive deliveries, last-mile retail replenishment, and lightweight palletized freight.
Box trucks carry up to 10,000 pounds and 1,500 cubic feet, fitting most regional distribution and store delivery needs without requiring a loading dock.
Dry vans and full truckloads move 42,000+ pounds for high-volume lanes and recurring programs. LTL shipments share trailer space on optimized routes through Warp cross-docks, reducing per-pallet cost by consolidating multiple shippers on the same vehicle.
Warp does not default every shipment to a 53-foot trailer. The AI engine evaluates load weight, cube, delivery window, and cost to recommend the right vehicle. Shippers see all available mode options with live pricing in one comparison screen before booking.
Cross-dock operations
Cross-docking at Warp facilities eliminates warehouse storage. Inbound freight is sorted and transferred directly to outbound vehicles, typically within hours.
This reduces dwell time, lowers damage risk, and compresses delivery windows. Warp cross-docks support pallet-in, pallet-out operations with scan-level tracking at every handoff point.
- Atlanta — Southeast retail flow
- Chicago — Midwest manufacturing and replenishment
- Houston — Texas industrial distribution
- New York — dense Northeast delivery
Facility locations are selected for corridor density: Atlanta handles Southeast retail flow, Chicago serves Midwest manufacturing and replenishment, Houston covers Texas industrial distribution, and New York supports dense Northeast delivery. Each facility operates on appointment-based scheduling to prevent congestion and maintain throughput consistency.
Enterprise freight programs
Enterprise shippers get committed rate programs, dedicated account management, and custom SLA design. Warp builds lane-by-lane rate structures that account for volume commitments, seasonal variation, and mode flexibility. Operations teams monitor shipment execution daily and intervene proactively when exceptions occur.
Self-serve freight quoting
Shippers enter origin and destination, load details, and delivery requirements to see live rates across all available modes. Quotes include estimated transit time, vehicle type, and total cost.
Booking takes one click. After booking, shippers track every shipment with real-time GPS location, milestone updates, and proof of delivery documentation.
Industries and use cases
Retail shippers use Warp for store replenishment programs that deliver to hundreds of locations per week on tight appointment windows. Apparel brands use zone skipping to bypass regional parcel sortation and reduce per-unit delivery cost.
Food and beverage companies rely on time-definite delivery for perishable goods. Manufacturing operations use Warp for inbound vendor consolidation, combining multiple supplier shipments into fewer, fuller loads through cross-dock facilities.
Distribution companies use pool distribution to serve multiple delivery points from a single origin, splitting full truckloads at cross-docks into smaller last-mile vehicles.
Urgent freight recovery covers emergency capacity needs when primary carriers fail or demand spikes unexpectedly. Middle-mile optimization reduces cost and transit time on the longest segment of multi-leg shipments.
Compare LTL carriers from Houston.
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19 carriers ranked · 42 lanes from Houston · All-inclusive pricing · No sponsored placements
Performance figures are computed from Warp network data. See our methodology.
