917 miles · Est. 13.5 hours · Avg $2.40/mile · Gross $2,201
Lane Overview
917
Miles
$2.40
Avg rate/mile
$2,201
Avg gross rate
easy
Competition
Dallas to Chicago northbound is driven by the DFW distribution complex shipping consumer goods, food products, and retail merchandise to Chicagoland's 10 million consumers. This is one of the most reliable easy lanes in the South-Midwest corridor — freight is consistently available and rates stay firm at $2.30–$2.55/mile. Dry-van and reefer are both in high demand year-round.
Take I-35W north through Fort Worth, pick up I-35E through Waco and Oklahoma City, then I-55 north from St. Louis into Chicago. The I-290 west side approach into Chicago has ongoing construction — congestion is heavy from around Hillside to downtown, especially 7–9am. Factor in an extra 45 minutes if delivering to Chicago proper. Tolls hit $30 across the I-Pass system in Illinois.
Driver Tip
At 13.5 hours drive time, HOS planning is critical. Use our HOS Calculator to map your 70-hour cycle before dispatch.
Multi-Day Costs
Fuel Estimate
$340
Based on avg diesel price
Toll Estimate
$30
Varies by route and state
Net After Costs
$1,831
Before your other costs
What Moves on This Lane
Common Equipment
Driver's Complete Guide
Dallas to Chicago northbound is the kind of lane that makes newer owner-operators think the whole business is this easy. It's not always — but this corridor genuinely runs well because the demand math works perfectly. DFW's 7.5-million person metro generates an enormous distribution footprint, and Chicago's 10 million consumers on the other end absorb product constantly. Consumer goods, retail merchandise, and food products move north on this corridor in sufficient volume that you rarely need to fight for a load.
Dry-van dominates with general consumer goods, household merchandise, and retail products from DFW's Alliance and I-20 corridor distribution centers. Reefer runs carry food products from Dallas-area food processors and grocery distributors heading to Chicago-area grocery chains and food service companies. The holiday freight surge October through December amplifies both sides of this lane significantly — Christmas merchandise heading north from DFW fulfillment centers keeps trucks moving at premium rates through Q4.
I-35W through Fort Worth, then merge to I-35E through Waco, Austin, and north to Oklahoma City. The Fort Worth section of I-35W in the morning is a known bottleneck — the split between I-35W and I-35E south of Fort Worth is confusing for unfamiliar drivers. Stay right for the E designation if you're going through Waco and Dallas. Oklahoma City weigh station on I-35 northbound catches a lot of traffic. After OKC, I-35 north to Kansas City or continue on I-35 to I-44 east toward St. Louis and then I-55 north into Chicago. The I-290 approach into Chicago from the west has been under construction for what feels like a decade — add 30–45 minutes if you're delivering anywhere on the west side of the city between 7am and 9am.
This is an easy lane, but that doesn't mean you should accept the first rate offered. Tuesday and Wednesday loads run $2.45–$2.55/mile consistently. Friday loads for Monday Chicago delivery sometimes get desperate and pay above average. Get an Illinois I-PASS transponder before you do this run regularly — the $30 in tolls is painful at cash lane rates, and the transponder saves meaningful money over time.
Chicago to Dallas (the return direction) is equally solid and rated easy. Manufacturing output and consumer goods from the Chicago metro head south at $2.35–$2.45/mile. Pre-book your return before you deliver in Chicago — the south-side distribution area has trucks waiting, and the best loads go fast on Tuesday mornings.
Which is faster — I-35 through St. Louis or I-44 direct?
I-44 east from Oklahoma City to St. Louis, then I-55 north to Chicago, is the standard route and runs about 917 miles. There's no meaningful shortcut. Avoid I-70 through St. Louis if you can — I-55 north past the city is usually cleaner.
What's the deal with Chicago tolls on this run?
Illinois uses the I-PASS system. If you don't have a transponder, you'll pay cash lane rates or get invoiced by mail. Budget $30–$35 each way through the Illinois Tollway. An I-PASS transponder cuts that by roughly 40%.
How bad is the Chicago delivery congestion on the I-290 west side?
Genuinely bad between 7am and 9am. The I-290/I-294 interchange near Hillside is a merge nightmare. If your delivery window allows it, arrive before 6:30am or wait until 10am. The difference is 30–45 minutes of sitting.
Return Freight
Chicago to Dallas
917 miles · $2.45/mile avg
Similar Routes
Dispatch Service
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