Jackson to New Orleans Truck Dispatch
Freight route connecting Jackson, MS to New Orleans, LA (185 miles). Connects Jackson to the Port of New Orleans's petrochemical/import freight via I-55.
What do truck dispatch rates run from Jackson to New Orleans?
Jackson to New Orleans is a 185-mile lane paying about $472 - $546 per load, near $2.55 - $2.95 a mile. Freight is mostly consumer goods, port-connected freight and industrial equipment.
- Distance
- 185 miles
- Avg. rate / load
- $472 - $546
- Rate per mile
- $2.55 - $2.95
- Transit time
- Same day / 3 hrs
- Deadhead risk
- 15-20%
Lane rates reviewed September 2026. These numbers follow 2026 spot-market pricing and can shift during hurricane season. See our dispatch fee structure.
Jackson to New Orleans
Jackson to New Orleans is a 185-mile, roughly 3-hour run south on I-55, connecting Mississippi's capital to one of the Gulf Coast's key import gateways. The Port of New Orleans moved 263,961 TEUs in the first half of 2025, up 2% year-over-year and driven largely by Latin American trade growth.
Origin
Jackson, MS
Destination
New Orleans, LA
Distance
185 miles
Transit Time
Same day / 3 hrs
Average Rate
$472 - $546
Rate per Mile
$2.55 - $2.95
185-mile lane, about 3 hours on I-55
The Port of New Orleans moved 263,961 TEUs in the first half of 2025
Jackson sits at the crossroads of I-20 and I-55
Jackson to New Orleans: route facts a driver should know
Jackson sits at Mississippi's I-20/I-55 crossroads
Jackson is Mississippi's capital and largest city, sitting directly at the junction of I-20 and I-55, a natural freight crossroads roughly midway between Memphis and New Orleans.
Source: City of Jackson, MS, Office of Economic Development. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
Port NOLA's container volume is climbing on Latin American trade
The Port of New Orleans moved 263,961 TEUs through the first half of 2025, up from 258,758 the year before, driven by Latin American trade growth. Schedule reliability there has climbed to 83 percent.
Source: Port of New Orleans, 2025 cargo volume press release. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
Diesel for this lane
How much is the diesel for Jackson to New Orleans?
About $168.01 this week. The lane is 185 miles. A truck that gets 6.5 miles per gallon uses about 28 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
- 185 mi
- Diesel needed
- 28 gal
- Price used
- $5.90/gal
- Fuel cost
- $168.01
Common Freight Types
Consumer goods, port-connected freight and industrial equipment fill the trailers heading south.
- Petrochemical Equipment
- Consumer Goods
- Import Cargo
What makes the Jackson to New Orleans lane difficult?
Hurricane season (June-November) can disrupt the New Orleans end of this route
Hurricane season (June-November) can disrupt the New Orleans end of this route.
A short-to-medium lane keeps per-load rates in a moderate range
A short-to-medium lane keeps per-load rates in a moderate range.
Port congestion in New Orleans can add delay for drayage-connected freight
Port congestion in New Orleans can add delay for drayage-connected freight.
What freight moves on the Jackson to New Orleans lane?
What travels between Jackson and New Orleans, and why Latin American trade matters here.
Primary Commodities
- •Petrochemical Equipment
- •Consumer Goods
- •Import Cargo
Secondary Commodities
- •Port import-connected freight (Latin American trade)
- •Consumer goods
- •Industrial equipment
Seasonal Cargo
Peak seasons for this lane:
- •Consumer goods (holiday import surge)
- •Port-connected freight (steady, growing)
- •Hurricane-prep and resupply freight (June-November)
When is the Jackson to New Orleans lane busiest?
Import timing and hurricane season both shape this lane.
Q1 (Jan-Mar): Slow Period?
A modest dip after the holidays as import volume normalizes.
Q4 (Oct-Dec): Peak Period?
Import-connected freight climbs ahead of the holidays.
Produce Season?
Not a major factor on this lane.
- •Q4 holiday import season
- •Hurricane-season disruption risk (June-November)
- •Steady port-connected freight year-round
Hurricane Risk?
Real on the New Orleans end; Gulf hurricane season (June-November) can disrupt port operations.
Seasonal Strategy Summary
This lane runs steady year-round, without a major seasonal swing to plan around.
How do I negotiate the best rate on the Jackson to New Orleans lane?
When to book, who pays extra, and which loads need a storm contingency.
When to Book
Suggested booking window:
Same-day to 1-2 days out is typical for this haul.
What Brokers Pay More
Loads that command more:
Time-critical port import-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 hurricane without a contingency plan.
Rate Negotiation Tips for Jackson to New Orleans
- •
At 185 miles, this is a comfortable one-day run, all on I-55.
- •
Port-linked drayage freight is worth asking about given Port NOLA's climbing container volume.
- •
Jackson's I-20/I-55 crossroads position makes this an easy lane to combine with other Southern freight.
How do I find a backhaul load on the Jackson to New Orleans lane?
Port NOLA's growing import volume makes a northbound load realistic.
Best Return Cities
Where to look for the return load:
- •New Orleans, LA
- •Regional distribution hubs near New Orleans
Deadhead Risk %
Deadhead risk on this lane: 15-20%
With Latin American trade driving steady growth at Port NOLA, there is real backhaul variety.
Alternative Routes
If the first load falls through, try these:
- •After delivery, look for reloads in Hammond, Slidell, and New Orleans. Your best targets are port, food, beverage, paper and consumer distribution freight. Also look at nearby distribution, manufacturing, port, food or farm facilities. If the main reload market is thin, reposition toward the nearest listed return city. Don't accept a long empty move.
Backhaul Optimization Tips
- •
Port NOLA's growing container volume gives you real backhaul options.
- •
Jackson's crossroads position keeps northbound loads flowing too.
- •
This lane is short enough for a same-day or next-day backhaul.
What do experienced dispatchers know about the Jackson to New Orleans lane?
Three notes before this Gulf Coast run.
Check hurricane advisories before running this lane June through November.
This lane pairs well with a same-day or next-day return load.
Confirm port congestion status before a tight New Orleans delivery appointment.
Port NOLA's climbing container volume, driven by Latin American trade, makes drayage freight worth checking on the New Orleans end.
Jackson to New Orleans Lane FAQs
Answers on drive time, the Port of New Orleans, and hurricane season.
The lane data shows about $472 - $546 per load, or $2.55 - $2.95 a mile, across 185 miles.
It moved 263,961 TEUs in the first half of 2025, up 2% year-over-year, driven by Latin American trade growth.
About 3 hours for the 185 miles on I-55.
Reasonably, given the port's growing import volume.
Other Mississippi freight lanes we dispatch
- Jackson to Atlanta
- Jackson to Memphis
- Jackson to Gulfport
- Jackson to Birmingham
- Jackson to Nashville
- Jackson to Dallas
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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