Only a 17-hour haul by truck or a quick 2-hour plane ride between Chicago and Houston means that goods can easily flow between the two cities. Each have sprawling metropolitan areas in addition to their large city centers, and the interstate highways run directly from one to the other. Air, rail, and motorized freight travel well-worn pathways between Chicago and Houston, the third and fourth largest cities in America, respectively, and even port to port shipping is possible via the Mississippi River System and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The frequency of transportation between Illinois and Texas ensures competitive rates for LTL shipping in whatever mode of conveyance necessary.
Railroads, steel, and meatpacking were some of the largest industries in Chicago during its initial boom in the late 19th century. Goods were manufactured at astonishing rates in the city, and exports were the focal point of Chicago’s economy. While the city has undergone significant changes in the last century, its economy diversifying and moving into services, finance, and high tech industries, manufacturing has remained a significant—if diminished—component of the regional economy. One thing that has stayed the same up to the present day is Chicago’s status as the country’s rail transportation hub. Though rail freight has shifted toward containers and intermodal shipping, the network of rail lines encircling the area have endured as a large part of the transportation and shipping economy. Expansions in air shipping capabilities and connections to the surrounding interstate highways have maintained Chicago’s position as the freight shipping giant in the Midwest.
Houston has traditionally always been an energy city. The energy industry, particularly oil, has made the Houston into the fourth most populous city in the nation, with the fourth largest city economy to go with it. All of this growth in the region is also owed in part to Houston’s prime position as a mover of goods. The Port of Houston ranks first in the country in international commerce and is the sixth largest port in the world. A lattice of interstates and local highways provide trucking routes in all directions servicing the continental U.S, Canada, and Mexico, and a significant railroad presence in the region supports the city’s freight shipping demand.
Get instant LTL rates to Houston with Koho's intuitive freight quoting system that combines ease of use and industry leading reliability. Our system takes only a few minutes to setup and book your first LTL shipment, and our team of experts can easily be reached through our unique shipment messaging system to help ensure your freight moves smoothly from origin to destination.Whether you're shipping to Houston, from Chicago, or anywhere else, Koho provides convenient and easy-to-use LTL solutions to meet your shipping needs, while Koho's network of reliable carrier partners guarantees you have access to the lowest LTL rates without sacrificing service. Spend less time booking and managing your LTL shipments today by creating an account on Koho