Louisville Freight Shipping

Louisville mainly exports to Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and Mexico, while importing from Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, and Germany. The city is one of the top 20% of exporters in the U.S., exporting $1.87 billion in 2023, while importing $1.91 billion.

 

Louisville, Kentucky, has become an increasingly important major manufacturing and transportation hub in recent years. This has attracted companies to Louisville which, along with its strategic location, makes Louisville an ideal place for international and domestic companies to settle.

Listed below are companies headquartered in Louisville:

These companies are crucial to driving the city’s economy, as most are involved in developing and distributing major imports and exports.  As the city embraces new infrastructures and industries, its status as a logistics powerhouse will also continue to rise.

Freight Shipping Rates To Any City

Shipping from city to city can be challenging. But it doesn’t have to be if you work with FreightCenter. We’re a 3PL dedicated to enhancing your shipping experience. We’ll find reputable carriers in your metropolitan area from our extensive network of over 50 shipping companies.

Enjoy reliable, cost-effective freight services with easy booking and tracking tools regardless of where your freight is shipping to or from. FreightCenter knows how to ship freight right!

Call us at (800) 716-7608, or use our free online quote tool to find and compare rates to and from any city in North America!

FreightCenter’s vast network of carriers includes companies servicing the Louisville metro area. We connect customers to reputable trucking carriers, finding the right one for your shipping needs. Some of FreightCenter’s partnered freight shipping companies include:

Note: FreightCenter adds and removes carrier partners from time to time. This list may not be current. Ask your FreightCenter agent for assistance.

Louisville’s Major Highways and Freeways

Several major highways and tollways service the Houston Metro area. These include the following:

• I-64
• I-65 (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway)
• I-71
• I-264 (Henry Watterson Expressway)
• I-265 (Gene Snyder Freeway)
• US 31E
• US 31W
• US 42
• US 60
• US 60 Alt.
• US 150

 

Louisville’s Major Ports

The Port of Louisville runs the Jefferson Riverport International, one of the few inland ports in the country, along the Ohio River. The Riverport offers many amenities and facilities for manufacturing and distribution businesses, including:

• A coal terminal with two barge fleeting areas, the capability to blend coal at variable speeds, and access to 3 railroads
• A bulk terminal that can handle 4 million tons of dry bulk commodities and is located in a multipurpose cargo dock with truck-to-barge and barge-to-truck off-loading capabilities.
• Intermodal transfer facilities
• Ground storage and warehousing services nearby at the Foreign Trade Zone

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport also contains warehousing and storage space for customers utilizing UPS’s Worldport air-freight hub.

Louisville Railroads

Four railroads service the Louisville metro area, three of which serve the Jefferson Riverport International. Those are:

• CSX
• Norfolk Southern
• The Paducah and Louisville Railway
• Louisville and Indiana Railroad (interchanges with the Paducah and Louisville Railroad and the CSX Railroad)

Union Pacific and Canadian National also utilize these railroads via transfers in other locations.

Louisville Airports and Commercial Airlines

The main Louisville airport in the metro area is the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF). It is the world’s fourth-busiest airport by cargo traffic, the second-busiest in the U.S. and is well-known as a center for international air cargo. UPS is responsible for much of this traffic, as the airport serves as their worldwide air hub.

Cost to Ship Freight to Louisville

Several factors influence the cost when shipping to and from Louisville. This includes:

• Type, size, and weight: Shipping heavy equipment, perishable goods, or specialized cargo will affect pricing. Louisville offers a variety of shipping options, from standard LTL to temperature-controlled and expedited services, ensuring your freight arrives safely and securely.
• Seasonal changes and demand: Louisville’s rates fluctuate as much as the seasons change, especially during severe weather events or peak holiday shipping seasons.
• Shipping distance: How far are you shipping your freight? The length between point A and point B will heavily determine your rate. Popular routes to and from Louisville include major cities like Miami, Atlanta, New York City, and Dallas, where established rates can result in competitive rates.
• What transportation mode is used: How you get your freight to and from Louisville matters. LTL freight shipping via truck is much cheaper than air or rail shipping. However, it is also riskier and slower than those two, especially when your freight passes through multiple terminals throughout the city.
• Accessorial Charges: Additional services, such as liftgate requirements, residential delivery, or limited access locations, can impact the final shipping price. Louisville’s vast network of carriers ensures you can find a provider that offers the services you need at the right price.

Louisville offers competitive rates due to its extensive network of freight carriers, proximity to key markets, and multiple transportation options. Louisville provides flexible and cost-effective solutions tailored to your needs, whether shipping less-than-truckload (LTL), full truckload (FTL), air cargo, intermodal cargo, or ocean and container drayage.

Why Choose Louisville for Your Shipping Needs?

Shipping to and from Louisville offers unique advantages other metropolitan areas with logistics hubs can’t offer:

• Dense Riverport Facilities: The Jefferson Riverport International has everything a business wishing to utilize the Ohio River as a transportation method could hope for. With intermodal options, many warehousing and storage facilities, and quick, reliable cargo handling, the Port of Louisville is more than capable of meeting your shipping needs.
• High Volume Air Cargo Services: The Louisville International Airport is so busy that the high volume allows for lower rates due to its trustworthy, reliable services. With access to UPS’s famous Worldport air-freight hub, businesses wishing to transport goods via air have plenty of options and facilities to accommodate them.
• Central Location: Located close to the center of the country, and with access to the Falls of the Ohio, Louisville is the perfect spot for international and domestic trade. A city specializing in logistics, Louisville is a grat place for businesses needing powerful transportation and distribution services.

How to Ship Freight to Louisville

 

When shipping from Louisville, start by gathering accurate information on what you are shipping, like the weight and dimensions, including the packaging. The freight will be handled multiple times at several freight terminals along the way. To protect your shipment during transport, crating an item is recommended.

You can compare Louisville freight rates with our freight quote tool and find a carrier that meets your pricing and shipping needs. Ask our in-house shipping experts which carrier will be best for your shipment. They will also advise you if any other fees or special services are needed when shipping to Louisville.

 

Get the Best Louisville Freight Rates Today

To find the most competitive rates for shipping freight to or from Louisville, use our online freight quote tool. Instantly compare rates from over 50 carriers and choose the best option for your needs. Alternatively, call 800.716.7608 to speak with one of our freight experts and receive a custom quote tailored to your shipment.

Make Louisville your next shipping destination and experience reliable, cost-effective freight services from a city that’s a leader in logistics and transportation.