Lane · FLAT · Oct 2026

Helena, AL to Chicago, IL flatbed rate

$2,700flatbed

+3.2% from last month

Per mile: $3.86
Distance: 699 mi
Typical range: $2,322–$3,078
Transit: 2 days

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Flatbed · estimated all-in cost per load · monthly

Helena to Chicago price history

3 months: +8.7%
1 year: +18.8%
5 years: +24.9%

Cost breakdown

Linehaul: $2,017
Fuel: $683
All-in estimate: $2,700

Return trip

Chicago → Helena$3,740

This direction runs 28% below the return trip. Leaving AL prices above the national average and arriving in IL prices below it.

Helena to Chicago by truck type

Estimated cost from Helena, AL to Chicago, IL by truck type
Truck type	Estimate	Per mile	Typical range
53' dry van	$2,203	$3.15	$1,961 – $2,445
53' refrigerated	$2,627	$3.76	$2,286 – $2,969
48' flatbed	$2,700	$3.86	$2,322 – $3,078
Step deck	$2,949	$4.22	$2,478 – $3,421
Power only	$1,924	$2.75	$1,674 – $2,174
Hotshot	$1,451	$2.08	$1,204 – $1,698
26' box truck	$1,430	$2.05	$1,216 – $1,645
Sprinter van	$881	$1.26	$740 – $1,022

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The index is an estimate. For a price you can act on, ask connected freight providers for a live 53' dry van rate, or send the load details and get quoted for any truck type.

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More lanes from Helena

48' flatbed lanes from Helena, AL
To	Miles	Estimate	Per mile	Typical range	Transit
New York, NY	1,034 mi	$4,922	$4.76	$4,233 – $5,611	3 d
Los Angeles, CA	2,132 mi	$6,706	$3.15	$5,767 – $7,645	5 d
Houston, TX	656 mi	$2,713	$4.14	$2,333 – $3,093	2 d
Phoenix, AZ	1,711 mi	$6,114	$3.57	$5,258 – $6,969	4 d
Philadelphia, PA	943 mi	$4,361	$4.63	$3,751 – $4,972	2 d
San Antonio, TX	868 mi	$3,320	$3.82	$2,855 – $3,785	2 d
San Diego, CA	2,061 mi	$6,510	$3.16	$5,599 – $7,421	5 d
Dallas, TX	677 mi	$2,773	$4.10	$2,385 – $3,162	2 d

More lanes into Chicago

48' flatbed lanes into Chicago, IL
From	Miles	Estimate	Per mile	Typical range	Transit
New York, NY	847 mi	$2,984	$3.52	$2,566 – $3,401	2 d
Los Angeles, CA	2,063 mi	$8,247	$4.00	$7,092 – $9,402	5 d
Houston, TX	1,106 mi	$3,448	$3.12	$2,965 – $3,931	3 d
Phoenix, AZ	1,705 mi	$4,019	$2.36	$3,456 – $4,581	4 d
Philadelphia, PA	787 mi	$2,510	$3.19	$2,159 – $2,861	2 d
San Antonio, TX	1,236 mi	$3,769	$3.05	$3,241 – $4,296	3 d
San Diego, CA	2,034 mi	$8,145	$4.00	$7,005 – $9,286	5 d
Dallas, TX	942 mi	$3,044	$3.23	$2,618 – $3,470	2 d

About this lane

How much does it cost to ship a truckload from Helena, AL to Chicago, IL?

A 48' flatbed from Helena, AL to Chicago, IL is estimated at $2,700 all-in in October 2026, or $3.86 a mile over about 699 mi. Quotes typically land between $2,322 and $3,078.

How far is Helena, AL from Chicago, IL by truck?

About 699 mi by road, estimated from the straight-line distance. A solo driver covers it in roughly 2 days of transit.

How much of the price is fuel?

About $683 of the $2,700 estimate is fuel at the current national diesel price; the remaining $2,017 is linehaul.

Is it cheaper to ship from Chicago, IL to Helena, AL?

The reverse direction is estimated at $3,740, which makes Helena, AL to Chicago, IL 28% cheaper. Direction matters because trucks are scarcer leaving some markets than others.

Lane history applies the current origin and destination adjustments to the national series back to December 2003. Methodology