St. Louis to Dallas Truck Dispatch
Freight route connecting St. Louis, MO to Dallas, TX (630 miles). Cross-country freight connecting Missouri's dual hubs to the Texas Triangle via I-44.
What do truck dispatch rates run from St. Louis to Dallas?
St. Louis to Dallas is a 630-mile lane paying about $1,449 - $1,701 per load, near $2.30 - $2.70 a mile. Freight is mostly retail distribution, consumer goods and electronics.
- Distance
- 630 miles
- Avg. rate / load
- $1,449 - $1,701
- Rate per mile
- $2.30 - $2.70
- Transit time
- 1-2 days
- Deadhead risk
- 25-30%
Lane rates reviewed September 2026. These numbers follow 2026 spot-market pricing and shift with fuel prices over this haul. See our dispatch fee structure.
St. Louis to Dallas
St. Louis to Dallas is a 630-mile, roughly 10-hour run southwest, mostly on I-44/US-69/I-30. Dallas-Fort Worth's Union Pacific Intermodal Terminal handles about 365,000 containers a year and BNSF's Alliance facility moves more than 1 million containers annually, giving this lane strong reload options.
Origin
St. Louis, MO
Destination
Dallas, TX
Distance
630 miles
Transit Time
1-2 days
Average Rate
$1,449 - $1,701
Rate per Mile
$2.30 - $2.70
630-mile lane, about 10 hours southwest
Dallas-Fort Worth's two major intermodal terminals move well over 1 million containers a year combined
Crosses Oklahoma
St. Louis to Dallas: route facts a driver should know
The DFW Inland Port spans over 76,000 acres
The Dallas-Fort Worth Inland Port covers more than 76,000 acres at the crossing of I-20, I-30, I-35, and I-45, described as the largest inland distribution market in North America.
Source: Partners Real Estate, Dallas-Fort Worth market research. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
St. Louis is served by six Class I railroads
St. Louis is served by all six Class I railroads through the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis, making it one of the largest rail hubs in the country.
Source: Inbound Logistics, St. Louis multimodal freight network. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
Diesel for this lane
How much is the diesel for St. Louis to Dallas?
About $593.90 this week. The lane is 630 miles. A truck that gets 6.5 miles per gallon uses about 97 gallons, and diesel is averaging $6.13 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 the two regions this lane connects, not the price at each pump. Your mpg and fuel card discounts change it.
- Distance
- 630 mi
- Diesel needed
- 97 gal
- Price used
- $6.13/gal
- Fuel cost
- $593.90
Common Freight Types
Retail distribution, consumer goods and electronics fill the trailers heading southwest.
- Retail Distribution
- Consumer Goods
- Electronics
What makes the St. Louis to Dallas lane difficult?
The length requires a realistic HOS plan
Understanding and preparing for this challenge helps optimize your operations and maximize profitability on this lane.
Oklahoma stretches can see severe weather, including tornadoes in spring
Oklahoma stretches can see severe weather, including tornadoes in spring.
Dallas-Fort Worth metro traffic can add time at the end
Dallas-Fort Worth metro traffic can add time at the end.
What freight moves on the St. Louis to Dallas lane?
What travels between St. Louis and Dallas, and when the busy weeks fall.
Primary Commodities
- •Retail Distribution
- •Consumer Goods
- •Electronics
Secondary Commodities
- •Union Pacific and BNSF intermodal freight
- •Electronics
- •Retail distribution
Seasonal Cargo
Peak seasons for this lane:
- •Retail distribution (holiday surge)
- •Electronics (steady)
- •Consumer goods (steady)
When is the St. Louis to Dallas lane busiest?
Retail timing and spring severe weather both shape this haul.
Q1 (Jan-Mar): Slow Period?
A modest dip after the holidays, cushioned by steady intermodal freight.
Q4 (Oct-Dec): Peak Period?
Retail distribution and consumer goods climb from October through December.
Produce Season?
Not a major factor on this lane.
- •Q4 holiday retail season
- •Steady electronics and retail freight
- •Spring severe weather season
Seasonal Strategy Summary
This long-haul lane runs fairly steady year-round. Watch for summer heat across the southern route, which can stress reefer equipment.
How do I negotiate the best rate on the St. Louis to Dallas lane?
When to book, who pays extra, and which loads need a weather plan.
When to Book
Suggested booking window:
2-3 days out is typical for this haul.
What Brokers Pay More
Loads that command more:
Time-critical electronics and Alliance Logistics District freight tend to pay a premium.
When to Avoid
Loads to price carefully:
Be careful committing to a fast turnaround through Oklahoma during spring severe-weather season.
Rate Negotiation Tips for St. Louis to Dallas
- •
This is a long haul at 630 miles, so plan real rest breaks along the route.
- •
DFW's massive inland-port freight base usually means solid load availability once you arrive.
- •
Rail-linked freight out of St. Louis is worth asking about too.
How do I find a backhaul load on the St. Louis to Dallas lane?
Dallas-Fort Worth's massive intermodal base makes a northeastbound load realistic.
Best Return Cities
Where to look for the return load:
- •Dallas, TX
- •Regional distribution hubs near Dallas
Deadhead Risk %
Deadhead risk on this lane: 25-30%
Check both the Union Pacific southern Dallas terminal and BNSF's Alliance facility in Fort Worth.
Alternative Routes
If the first load falls through, try these:
- •Dallas's steel/oilfield equipment freight offers a reliable backhaul stream back toward the Midwest.
Backhaul Optimization Tips
- •
DFW's rail and inland-port density gives you strong backhaul odds heading back north.
- •
St. Louis's own rail and river-port density keeps eastbound freight flowing too.
- •
Give yourself real recovery time after this long run before your next dispatch.
What do experienced dispatchers know about the St. Louis to Dallas lane?
Three notes before this Southwest run.
Plan your rest stops before you leave St. Louis on a run this long.
Watch spring storm forecasts across Oklahoma.
Check which terminal (Alliance or the southern Dallas Union Pacific yard) has your reload freight.
This is a multi-day haul. Build in real rest and fuel stops rather than pushing straight through.
St. Louis to Dallas Lane FAQs
Answers on drive time, HOS planning, and the Dallas-Fort Worth freight hub.
The lane data shows about $1,449 - $1,701 per load, or $2.30 - $2.70 a mile, across 630 miles.
About 10 hours for the 630 miles.
Its two major intermodal terminals move well over 1 million containers a year combined.
Yes, generally, given its scale as an inland logistics hub.
Other Missouri freight lanes we dispatch
- St. Louis to Atlanta
- St. Louis to Chicago
- St. Louis to Denver
- St. Louis to Memphis
- St. Louis to Indianapolis
- St. Louis to Nashville
Local resources
Also serving the other end of this lane
Dry Van owner-operator, Midwest: +$1,950/week after moving to $2.65/mi on produce / auto parts freight.
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