New Orleans to Houston Truck Dispatch
Freight route connecting New Orleans, LA to Houston, TX (350 miles). Houston's petrochemical and port sector pairs naturally with Louisiana's own I-10 corridor.
What do truck dispatch rates run from New Orleans to Houston?
New Orleans to Houston is a 350-mile lane paying about $893 - $1,033 per load, near $2.55 - $2.95 a mile. Freight is mostly consumer goods, petrochemical freight and construction materials.
- Distance
- 350 miles
- Avg. rate / load
- $892 - $1,032
- Rate per mile
- $2.55 - $2.95
- Transit time
- 1 day
- Deadhead risk
- 20-25%
Lane rates reviewed September 2026. These numbers follow 2026 spot-market pricing and can shift sharply during hurricane season. See our dispatch fee structure.
New Orleans to Houston
New Orleans to Houston is a 350-mile, roughly 5.5-hour run west on I-10, connecting Louisiana's port gateway to the nation's largest petrochemical manufacturing complex. Houston's port and petrochemical freight base creates steady westbound and backhaul volume for carriers running this Gulf Coast corridor.
Origin
New Orleans, LA
Destination
Houston, TX
Distance
350 miles
Transit Time
1 day
Average Rate
$892 - $1,032
Rate per Mile
$2.55 - $2.95
350-mile lane, about 5.5 hours on I-10
Houston anchors the nation's largest petrochemical manufacturing complex
Both cities sit on the I-10 Gulf Coast petrochemical corridor
New Orleans to Houston: route facts a driver should know
Port Houston just had its best year on record
Port Houston handled a record 4,303,345 TEUs in 2025, up 4% from the year before, along with 54.5 million short tons of cargo overall, its highest total ever.
Source: Port Houston statistics. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
I-10 between New Orleans and Baton Rouge runs through 150-plus petrochemical plants
The 85-mile stretch of I-10 between New Orleans and Baton Rouge runs through more than 150 petrochemical plants and refineries, one of the most concentrated chemical-manufacturing corridors in North America, extending toward Houston's own chemical complex.
Source: Business Facilities, I-10 Gulf Coast corridor overview. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
Diesel for this lane
How much is the diesel for New Orleans to Houston?
About $317.85 this week. The lane is 350 miles. A truck that gets 6.5 miles per gallon uses about 54 gallons, and diesel is averaging $5.90 a gallon on this lane (week of October 19, 2026). The U.S. average diesel price is up 10 cents this week.
An estimate. It uses EIA's weekly average for this region, not the price at each pump. Your mpg and fuel card discounts change it.
- Distance
- 350 mi
- Diesel needed
- 54 gal
- Price used
- $5.90/gal
- Fuel cost
- $317.85
Common Freight Types
Consumer goods, petrochemical freight and construction materials fill the trailers heading west.
- Petrochemical Equipment
- Retail Distribution
- Steel Products
What makes the New Orleans to Houston lane difficult?
Hurricane season (June-November) can disrupt both ends of this route
Hurricane season (June-November) can disrupt both ends of this route.
A medium-length lane keeps per-load rates in a moderate range
A medium-length lane keeps per-load rates in a moderate range.
Petrochemical and port-connected freight can require specialized handling or certifications
Petrochemical and port-connected freight can require specialized handling or certifications.
What freight moves on the New Orleans to Houston lane?
What travels between New Orleans and Houston, and why the petrochemical complex matters here.
Primary Commodities
- •Petrochemical Equipment
- •Retail Distribution
- •Steel Products
Secondary Commodities
- •Petrochemical and port-connected freight
- •Consumer goods
- •Construction materials
Seasonal Cargo
Peak seasons for this lane:
- •Consumer goods (holiday surge)
- •Petrochemical freight (steady)
- •Hurricane-prep and resupply freight (June-November)
When is the New Orleans to Houston lane busiest?
Retail timing and hurricane season at both ends both shape this lane.
Q1 (Jan-Mar): Slow Period?
A modest dip after the holidays, cushioned by steady petrochemical and port freight.
Q4 (Oct-Dec): Peak Period?
Consumer goods climb from October through December.
Produce Season?
Not a major factor on this lane.
- •Q4 holiday retail season
- •Hurricane-season disruption risk (June-November)
- •Steady petrochemical and port freight year-round
Hurricane Risk?
Real and significant on both ends; Gulf hurricane season (June-November) can disrupt this whole corridor.
Seasonal Strategy Summary
Hurricane season, June through November, is the biggest factor on this lane. Outside of storm season, freight tracks fairly steady.
How do I negotiate the best rate on the New Orleans to Houston lane?
When to book, who pays extra, and which loads need a storm contingency.
When to Book
Suggested booking window:
1-2 days out is typical for this haul, with extra lead time during hurricane season.
What Brokers Pay More
Loads that command more:
Time-critical petrochemical and port-drayage-connected freight tends to pay a premium.
When to Avoid
Loads to price carefully:
Be careful committing to a fixed delivery date during an active Gulf storm without a contingency plan.
Rate Negotiation Tips for New Orleans to Houston
- •
Petrochemical and hazmat freight is common on this whole I-10 corridor, so ask if your equipment and endorsements qualify.
- •
This is a 350-mile run, so plan for a solid one-day trip.
- •
Watch the hurricane forecast between June and November before you dispatch this Gulf Coast lane.
How do I find a backhaul load on the New Orleans to Houston lane?
Houston's port and petrochemical base make an eastbound load easy to find.
Best Return Cities
Where to look for the return load:
- •Houston, TX
- •Regional distribution hubs near Houston
Deadhead Risk %
Deadhead risk on this lane: 20-25%
With one of the busiest US ports and the nation's largest petrochemical complex, backhaul options are strong.
Alternative Routes
If the first load falls through, try these:
- •Petrochemical freight at both ends supports dependable backhaul.
- •Pre-book return freight on load boards before you arrive, so you don't sit empty
Backhaul Optimization Tips
- •
Houston's port and petrochemical corridor create steady drayage and tanker-freight backhaul options.
- •
New Orleans's own petrochemical base keeps eastbound freight flowing too.
- •
Build in schedule flexibility during hurricane season, since storms can shut this Gulf Coast route down fast.
What do experienced dispatchers know about the New Orleans to Houston lane?
Three notes before this Gulf Coast run.
Check hurricane advisories at both ends before running this lane June through November.
This lane pairs well with a same-day or next-day return load.
Confirm any certification requirements before hauling petrochemical-connected freight.
Check the tropical weather outlook before you dispatch this lane between June and November. Storms can shut down the Gulf Coast route with little notice.
New Orleans to Houston Lane FAQs
Answers on drive time, Houston's petrochemical base, and hurricane season.
The lane data shows about $893 - $1,033 per load, or $2.55 - $2.95 a mile, across 350 miles.
About 5.5 hours for the 350 miles on I-10.
Yes, significantly, since both ends sit in the Gulf hurricane zone.
Yes, generally, given the port and petrochemical industry's steady freight volume.
Other Louisiana freight lanes we dispatch
- New Orleans to Atlanta
- New Orleans to Baton Rouge
- New Orleans to Memphis
- New Orleans to Dallas
- New Orleans to Lake Charles
- New Orleans to Jackson
Local resources
Also serving the other end of this lane
Dry Van owner-operator, Southeast: +$2,550/week after moving to $2.85/mi on automotive parts / retail / beverage freight.
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