Lane · FLAT · Oct 2026

Helena, MT to Chicago, IL flatbed rate

$3,901flatbed

+3.5% from last month

Per mile: $2.66
Distance: 1,468 mi
Typical range: $3,355–$4,447
Transit: 4 days

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Flatbed · estimated all-in cost per load · monthly

Helena to Chicago price history

3 months: +8.6%
1 year: +18.8%
5 years: +24.9%

Cost breakdown

Linehaul: $2,467
Fuel: $1,434
All-in estimate: $3,901

Return trip

Chicago → Helena$6,976

This direction runs 44% below the return trip. Leaving MT prices below the national average and arriving in IL prices below it.

Helena to Chicago by truck type

Estimated cost from Helena, MT to Chicago, IL by truck type
Truck type	Estimate	Per mile	Typical range
53' dry van	$3,237	$2.20	$2,881 – $3,593
53' refrigerated	$3,857	$2.63	$3,355 – $4,358
48' flatbed	$3,901	$2.66	$3,355 – $4,447
Step deck	$4,249	$2.89	$3,569 – $4,928
Power only	$2,865	$1.95	$2,493 – $3,238
Hotshot	$2,163	$1.47	$1,795 – $2,530
26' box truck	$2,117	$1.44	$1,800 – $2,435
Sprinter van	$1,295	$0.88	$1,088 – $1,502

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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, MT
To	Miles	Estimate	Per mile	Typical range	Transit
New York, NY	2,276 mi	$7,756	$3.41	$6,670 – $8,842	5 d
Los Angeles, CA	1,099 mi	$3,131	$2.85	$2,693 – $3,570	3 d
Houston, TX	1,729 mi	$4,706	$2.72	$4,047 – $5,365	4 d
Phoenix, AZ	1,062 mi	$3,363	$3.17	$2,892 – $3,834	3 d
Philadelphia, PA	2,232 mi	$7,252	$3.25	$6,237 – $8,268	5 d
San Antonio, TX	1,639 mi	$4,497	$2.74	$3,867 – $5,126	4 d
San Diego, CA	1,168 mi	$3,287	$2.81	$2,827 – $3,747	3 d
Dallas, TX	1,472 mi	$4,108	$2.79	$3,533 – $4,683	4 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, MT to Chicago, IL?

A 48' flatbed from Helena, MT to Chicago, IL is estimated at $3,901 all-in in October 2026, or $2.66 a mile over about 1,468 mi. Quotes typically land between $3,355 and $4,447.

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

About 1,468 mi by road, estimated from the straight-line distance. A solo driver covers it in roughly 4 days of transit.

How much of the price is fuel?

About $1,434 of the $3,901 estimate is fuel at the current national diesel price; the remaining $2,467 is linehaul.

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

The reverse direction is estimated at $6,976, which makes Helena, MT to Chicago, IL 44% 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