Shipping a few pallets from Dallas to Houston, Austin or a customer across town? In 2026, an LTL (less-than-truckload) pallet shipment under 500 miles typically costs about $100 to $250 per pallet before extra fees. Once you have several pallets, a tight deadline or no loading dock at delivery, a dedicated box truck is often cheaper and faster than LTL.
This guide breaks down pallet shipping costs in Texas, compares LTL with box trucks, vans and hot shots, lists the fees that inflate LTL bills, and explains how to prepare pallets so your quote holds. Need pallets moved today? Call (214) 217-6302 or request a free quote.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Pallet? (2026)
LTL carriers combine your pallets with other shippers' freight and move them through terminals. According to Warp's 2026 LTL cost guide, typical per-pallet prices look like this:
Distance | Typical cost per pallet |
|---|---|
Regional, under 500 miles | $100–$250 |
Mid-range, 500–1,000 miles | $200–$400 |
Cross-country, 1,000+ miles | $350–$600 |
Those are base ranges. Traditional LTL carriers add a fuel surcharge of about 12–28% of the base rate, plus fees for services like liftgate and residential delivery. Most Texas shipments, such as Dallas to Houston, Austin or San Antonio, fall in the under-500-mile tier.
LTL vs. Dedicated Truck: Which Is Cheaper?
LTL wins for one or two pallets that aren't urgent. A dedicated truck often wins once you add pallets, a deadline or special handling:
LTL carrier | Dedicated box truck or van | |
|---|---|---|
How it's priced | Weight, freight class, distance, plus fuel and extra fees | Per run or per mile for the whole truck |
Route | Through one or more terminals | Straight from pickup to delivery |
Speed | Delivery date is an estimate | Often same day within Texas |
Handling | Loaded and unloaded at each terminal | Loaded once, unloaded once |
Liftgate | Extra fee at each end | Built into the truck |
Best for | 1–3 pallets, flexible timing, dock to dock | Several pallets, urgent, fragile or multi-stop loads |
Here's a quick way to compare. Get an LTL quote that includes fuel and every extra fee you need. Then compare it with a dedicated truck for the same lane. For example, a 26 ft box truck from Dallas to Houston runs about $430–$720 for the whole truck, which carries up to about 12 standard pallets. See our box truck delivery cost guide for more lanes.
What Drives the Price of a Pallet Shipment
Distance. Longer lanes cost more in total but less per mile.
Weight and density. Since July 19, 2025, LTL freight classes under the National Motor Freight Classification are based mainly on density, pounds per cubic foot, on a 13-step scale, according to Old Dominion. Light, bulky pallets land in a higher class and cost more.
Pallet count and footprint. More pallets, or pallets that can't be stacked, take more trailer space.
Extra services. Liftgate, residential delivery, inside delivery and delivery appointments are each billed separately on LTL.
Fuel. LTL fuel surcharges move with diesel prices.
Accuracy. If the weight or class on your bill of lading is wrong, the carrier can reweigh or reclass the freight and bill you the difference.
Extra Fees That Inflate LTL Pallet Bills
Extra charges, called accessorials, are where many LTL quotes go wrong. Typical 2026 ranges from FreightPlus:
Fee | Typical cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
Liftgate | $75–$200 each time | No loading dock at pickup or delivery |
Residential delivery | $80–$175 | Homes and home-based businesses |
Inside delivery | $75–$200 | Freight brought past the door or curb |
Limited access | $100–$250 | Schools, construction sites, churches, storage units and similar sites |
Appointment | $50–$100 per stop | Delivery booked for a set time |
Detention | $75–$150 per hour | Truck kept waiting past free time |
Liftgate at pickup and liftgate at delivery are two separate charges. Our liftgate delivery guide compares fees by carrier.
Shipping Pallets From Dallas: Typical Truck Prices
For a dedicated truck, you pay for the run, not per pallet. These are typical 2026 box truck prices from Dallas:
Lane | Approx. miles | Box truck estimate |
|---|---|---|
Dallas to Waco | 95 | About $240–$475 |
Dallas to Austin | 195 | About $350–$585 |
Dallas to Houston | 240 | About $430–$720 |
Dallas to San Antonio | 275 | About $495–$825 |
Local runs within Dallas–Fort Worth are usually a flat fee. For one to three pallets, a Sprinter van with a lift is often the lowest-cost dedicated option. Need it there today? See our guide to same-day delivery in Dallas.
How to Prepare Pallets for Shipping
Use a sound standard pallet. The common size in the U.S. is 48 x 40 inches. Skip cracked boards and missing blocks.
Stack square. Put heavy boxes on the bottom, keep everything inside the pallet's edges, and keep the top flat if it can be stacked.
Wrap and strap it. Stretch-wrap it tightly to the pallet, and add corner boards or straps for heavy or tall loads.
Weigh and measure. Record the real weight and length, width and height, including the pallet itself.
Label it. Put the shipper and receiver on two sides, plus a pallet count such as "1 of 3".
Say how it unloads. Tell the carrier if there's no dock or forklift at delivery, so a liftgate truck is sent.
How to Save on Pallet Shipping
Ship dock to dock when you can, which avoids liftgate and residential fees.
Consolidate. Send one shipment of several pallets instead of several small ones.
Get the class right. Accurate weight and dimensions prevent reclass charges.
Book liftgate upfront. Adding it after pickup can add a reconsignment fee of about $85–$160 on top of the liftgate charge, according to FreightRate.
Price a dedicated truck for four or more pallets, or whenever timing matters.
Pallet Delivery in Dallas–Fort Worth With Mr. Whiz Logistics
Mr. Whiz Logistics moves pallets from Garland, TX, across Dallas–Fort Worth and Texas:
16 ft box truck: up to about 8 standard pallets, with a hydraulic liftgate
26 ft box truck: up to about 12 standard pallets, with a hydraulic liftgate
Sprinter van with lift: boxed freight and a few pallets
24 ft enclosed hot shot: multiple pallets, crated equipment and high-value freight
Every truck goes straight from your dock to the delivery address, with no terminal transfers. Dispatch runs 24/7, and pricing is set upfront with no hidden fees. Call (214) 217-6302 or get a free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship a pallet in Texas?
An LTL pallet shipment under 500 miles typically costs about $100–$250 per pallet in 2026, before fuel surcharges and extra fees like liftgate or residential delivery. Most in-state Texas lanes fall in that range.
How much does it cost to ship pallets from Dallas to Houston?
By LTL, expect roughly $100–$250 per pallet plus fees. A dedicated 26 ft box truck from Dallas to Houston costs about $430–$720 for the whole truck, which holds up to about 12 standard pallets.
Is LTL or a dedicated truck cheaper for pallets?
LTL is usually cheaper for one to three pallets with flexible timing and docks at both ends. A dedicated truck is often cheaper for several pallets, and it's faster because it skips terminal transfers.
Does freight class affect pallet shipping cost?
Yes. LTL rates depend on freight class, and since July 2025 the NMFC class for most freight is based on density. Light, bulky pallets are in a higher class and cost more to ship.
How much does a liftgate add to a pallet shipment?
On LTL, a liftgate typically adds about $75–$200 each time it's used, and pickup and delivery are charged separately. Dedicated box trucks with built-in liftgates usually include it in the run price.
What size is a standard pallet?
The most common pallet in the U.S. is 48 x 40 inches. Keep the load inside the pallet's edges, because overhanging freight is easily damaged.
How many pallets fit in a box truck?
A 16 ft box truck holds up to about 8 standard pallets, and a 26 ft box truck up to about 12, depending on pallet size, weight and whether they can be stacked.
