Heavy Equipment Shipping: Shreveport, LA to Dallas, TX

Route Overview: Shreveport to Dallas

The primary corridor from Shreveport, LA to Dallas, TX follows I-20 West for approximately 188 miles (303 km), crossing the Texas state line near Marshall, TX. Transit time for a standard heavy-haul move on this route is typically 4–6 hours under normal conditions, though oversize loads requiring daytime-only travel or pilot cars may extend the window to a full day.

Secondary routing options include US-80 West through Longview and Terrell — useful when I-20 construction zones or permit restrictions require a detour. Carriers familiar with this corridor know the weigh stations at Marshall, TX and the bridge weight restrictions on older US-80 segments.

Permit Requirements: Louisiana and Texas

Any load exceeding federal thresholds — 80,000 lbs GVW, 8.5 ft wide, 13.5 ft tall, or 53 ft long — requires oversize/overweight permits in both Louisiana and Texas. Key considerations for this route:

• Louisiana: Oversize permits are issued by LADOTD. Loads over 14 ft wide require a Louisiana State Police escort. Travel is restricted on Sundays and state holidays for many oversize classes.
• Texas: TxDMV issues oversize/overweight permits. Texas uses a superload threshold of 254,300 lbs GVW or 20 ft wide. Pilot car requirements begin at 12 ft wide in Texas.
• Crossing the state line: Carriers must hold valid permits for both states simultaneously. IronHaul coordinates multi-state permit packages as a single service.

Common Equipment Moved on This Lane

The Shreveport–Dallas corridor sees heavy traffic from the oil and gas, construction, and forestry industries. Typical loads include:

• Excavators (mini to 50-ton class) from Louisiana oilfield and pipeline projects
• Crawler dozers and motor graders from timber and land-clearing operations in East Texas and Northwest Louisiana
• Cranes and boom trucks relocating between Dallas-area construction sites and Shreveport industrial facilities
• Forklifts and telehandlers moving between distribution centers
• Auction pickups from Shreveport-area dealers and IronPlanet/Ritchie Bros lots

Trailer Selection for This Route

Trailer Type	Best For	Typical Capacity
Flatbed (48–53 ft)	Forklifts, skid steers, attachments under 8.5 ft tall	Up to 48,000 lbs
Step-Deck	Equipment 8.5–10 ft tall, telehandlers, compact track loaders	Up to 48,000 lbs
Lowboy (3-axle)	Excavators, dozers, compactors up to ~80,000 lbs	Up to 80,000 lbs
RGN (multi-axle)	Large cranes, heavy excavators, overweight loads	80,000–150,000+ lbs

Transit Time and Scheduling

Standard loads (under permit thresholds) can typically be picked up and delivered within 1–2 business days on this 188-mile lane. Oversize loads requiring permits add 1–3 business days for permit processing. Loads requiring Louisiana State Police escort must be scheduled in advance and are subject to trooper availability.

Seasonal considerations: East Texas and Northwest Louisiana experience heavy rainfall in spring and fall, which can create soft ground conditions at job sites and slow loading/unloading. Winter ice events on I-20 near the Texas-Louisiana border are infrequent but can cause 12–24 hour delays when they occur.

Cost Factors on the Shreveport–Dallas Lane

Freight rates on this corridor are influenced by fuel prices, trailer availability in the Shreveport market, and permit costs. Typical cost drivers include:

• Base linehaul rate (per mile or flat rate for the lane)
• Fuel surcharge (indexed to DOE weekly diesel prices)
• Permit fees: Louisiana and Texas permits combined typically run $150–$600 depending on load dimensions
• Pilot car fees: $3–$5 per mile per escort vehicle when required
• Tarping fees if applicable for the load type

IronHaul Logistics provides all-in quotes that include permits, escorts, and fuel surcharges — no surprise line items at delivery.

Ready to move equipment from Shreveport to Dallas? Contact IronHaul Logistics for a free, no-obligation quote. Call (208) 495-2260, email [email protected], or submit your load details through our online quote form. Our team handles permits, escorts, and scheduling so you can focus on your project.