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Houston, TX to Phoenix, AZ Freight Lane
I-10 · 1176 Miles

Houston, TX → Phoenix, AZ

$2.85-$3.30/mile
Distance
1,176 mi
Route
I-10
Backhaul
good
Freight Types
3

Route Details

Part of Corridor

I-10 Southern Corridor

I-10 · 2,460 total miles · east west

Origin State

Texas Trucking

Texas is the largest trucking state in America, with over 190,000 for-hire carriers and major freight hubs in Dallas, Ho...

Destination State

Arizona Trucking

Arizona is a critical Southwest freight corridor, with Phoenix serving as a major distribution hub between California an...

Interstate Route

I-10

1,176 miles from Houston, TX to Phoenix, AZ

Freight on This Lane

The dominant freight categories moving between Houston, TX and Phoenix, AZ

Energy & Oil Field

Energy freight encompasses the transport of drilling equipment, pipe, frac sand, completion chemicals, and production materials to and from oil and ga...

+40-80% vs dry vanLearn more →

Manufacturing & Industrial

Manufacturing freight moves $165 billion in raw materials, components, and finished goods between 320,000+ US factories each year, generating 9.5 mill...

+5-15% vs dry vanLearn more →

Construction Materials

Construction freight represents a $78 billion annual market in US trucking, moving 2.8 billion tons of aggregates, steel, concrete, and building mater...

+20-40% vs dry vanLearn more →

Rate Breakdown

Low Season
$2.85
per mile
Peak Season
$3.30
per mile
Est. Gross (Low)
$3,352
per trip (1176 mi)
Est. Gross (Peak)
$3,881
per trip (1176 mi)

Seasonal Patterns

Energy equipment loads from Houston spike when oil prices rise above $70/barrel — flatbed rates jump to $3.50+/mile. Construction materials to Phoenix peak February through May as Arizona building season ramps. Dry van rates are steadiest year-round at $2.85-$3.05/mile.

Backhaul Guide

Return load strategy for the Phoenix, AZ to Houston, TX direction

Backhaul Quality:
Good

Phoenix distribution centers ship consumer goods and produce eastbound. Rates average $2.40-$2.80/mile back to Texas. For better rates, grab loads from Tucson or the Phoenix produce terminal heading to Dallas or San Antonio instead of straight-back Houston runs.

Compatible Truck Types

Equipment types that run profitably on this lane

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Dry Van Dispatch

View details →
🛤️

Flatbed Dispatch

View details →
Dispatcher Tip

The 300-mile stretch between El Paso and Van Horn, TX is a dead zone — zero loads, sparse fuel stops, and summer temps hitting 110°F. Never accept a load that drops in this corridor without a pre-booked through-load. Also, Arizona DOT requires a $15 trip permit for any load over 80,000 lbs. Get it online before you arrive — roadside permits cost $150+.

Houston, TX to Phoenix, AZ FAQ

Common questions about this freight lane

What freight moves from Houston to Phoenix?+
Top loads: petrochemical products (plastics, resins) on dry van at $2.90-$3.10/mile; steel pipe and fittings on flatbed at $3.10-$3.30/mile; and construction equipment on step deck at $3.20-$3.50/mile. Houston refineries ship chemical loads year-round, making this lane recession-resistant.
Is the Houston to Phoenix route safe for solo drivers?+
Generally yes, but West Texas requires preparation. The stretch from El Paso to Tucson has truck stops every 60-80 miles but limited services in between. Carry extra water and fuel. Dust storms near Deming, NM can reduce visibility to zero — pull off immediately if you see a dust wall. Summer heat causes more tire blowouts on this route than any other I-10 segment.
How does the Houston to Phoenix lane compare to Houston to LA?+
Houston to Phoenix is 1,176 miles vs. 1,547 miles to LA. Per-mile rates are similar ($2.85-$3.30 vs. $2.80-$3.20), but Phoenix loads are faster to deliver and turn. The real advantage: Phoenix backhauls pay better ($2.40-$2.80/mile) than LA backhauls ($2.10-$2.50/mile) because fewer carriers compete for them.

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Get Dispatched on the Houston, TX to Phoenix, AZ Lane

Our dispatchers know this lane inside and out. 6% commission, no contracts, and we pre-book your backhaul before you depart.

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