Freight Shipping from Akron to Newark
Ship freight from Akron, OH to Newark, NJ with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,075-$1,325, LTL from $475-$825. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
500 mi
Drive Time
9 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,075-$1,325
LTL Rate Est.
$475-$825
Port Drayage Corridor
Akron → Newark Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
158–172
running this lane
Weekly Loads
88–108
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
61/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$26–$43 one-way passing through OH, NJ. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Akron to Newark Freight Corridor
Akron earned the title "Rubber Capital of the World" — Goodyear's global headquarters still anchors the city's economy, along with a deep cluster of polymer science companies, tire retreaders, and rubber product manufacturers that grew up around the original tire industry. The I-76/I-77 junction makes Akron a natural crossroads between Pittsburgh and Cleveland. The University of Akron's polymer science program ensures a constant pipeline of materials innovation that keeps the city's chemical and advanced materials freight volumes growing.
Newark is the epicenter of East Coast container freight, with Port Newark-Elizabeth handling 8+ million TEUs annually as the busiest port on the Atlantic seaboard. The drayage market from the port terminals to regional distribution centers is one of the highest-volume, most competitive trucking segments in the nation. Newark Liberty Airport adds significant air cargo volume, making this one of the densest multimodal freight zones in the world.
The Akron-to-Newark corridor spans 500 miles via I-76, I-77, I-95/NJ Turnpike, I-78. This lane connects polymer & rubber manufacturing and advanced materials freight from the Akron market to port logistics & drayage and air cargo demand in Newark. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Akron
Akron's economy is driven by polymer & rubber manufacturing, advanced materials, healthcare, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
tires & rubber products
polymer compounds
oats & cereals (Quaker)
industrial adhesives
specialty chemicals
fabricated metals
What Newark Receives
Newark's port logistics & drayage, air cargo, pharmaceuticals sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Akron.
imported containers (all categories)
consumer electronics
apparel & textiles
furniture
automotive parts
food imports
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Akron and Newark, these equipment types best serve this corridor.
Dry Van (FTL)
Ideal for palletized consumer goods, electronics, packaged foods, and general merchandise. Enclosed protection from weather and theft.
$1,075-$1,325 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,575-$2,125 estimated for this lane
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
Cost-effective for shipments under 10,000 lbs or fewer than 10 pallets. Shared trailer space with other shippers reduces cost for smaller loads.
$475-$825 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Akron to Newark lane (500 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,075-$1,325 | 9 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $475-$825 | 11-13 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,625-$2,250 | 6 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Akron and Newark that drive volume on this lane.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber (HQ)
FirstEnergy (HQ)
Smucker's (Akron bakery)
Maersk (Port Newark)
Amazon EWR Fulfillment
Anheuser-Busch Newark
Shipping Tips for Akron to Newark
Akron Seasonal Advisory
Tire production runs year-round but seasonal tire changeover periods (October-November for winter, March-April for summer) create demand surges. FirstEnergy's utility equipment shipments peak before summer cooling season. Quaker Oats production ramps for back-to-school cereal demand.
Newark Seasonal Advisory
Import volumes peak August through October as retailers stock for the holiday season, creating severe chassis shortages and 3-5 day terminal wait times. Post-Lunar New Year (February-March) brings a second surge as Asian factories resume production.
Overnight Transit
This 500-mile route typically requires one overnight stop for a solo driver. Schedule pickup before noon for next-day delivery in most cases.
Book Early for Best Rates
Spot market rates fluctuate daily. Booking 3-5 days in advance typically saves 10-15% compared to same-day or next-day freight requests. For recurring shipments, ask about contract rates.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Akron and Newark — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Akron, OH
- Metro Population
- 700K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-76, I-77, I-80 (Ohio Turnpike)
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Akron Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- Chapel Hill/I-77, Green/I-77 South, Akron-Canton Airport Industrial
“Tire freight is deceptively challenging — rubber products are lightweight but bulky, meaning carriers cube out before hitting weight limits. Experienced tire haulers use specialized trailer configurations and stacking techniques to maximize load density and revenue per mile.”
Destination
Newark, NJ
- Metro Population
- 2.0M metro (Newark-Union)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.60-$3.10/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95/NJ Turnpike, I-78, I-280
- Rail / Intermodal
- Port Newark Container Terminal; ExpressRail Elizabeth Intermodal
- Port Access
- Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Elizabeth/Port District, Kearny/Meadowlands, Linden/I-95 South
“Port Newark drayage is a specialized market where chassis availability, terminal turn times, and demurrage/detention charges can make or break profitability. Experienced port truckers who understand terminal gate procedures and chassis pool logistics consistently outperform general freight carriers attempting to enter this market.”
Return Loads from Newark
Backhaul from Newark to Akron requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Newark
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Akron to Newark Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Akron to Newark?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Akron, OH to Newark, NJ currently range $1,075-$1,325 (roughly $2.16-$2.67 per mile over 500 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $475-$825 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced on this corridor, so booking 3-5 days out locks in the best pricing. Request a custom quote for exact rates.
How long does freight take from Akron to Newark?
Standard FTL transit from Akron to Newark is approximately 9 hrs by truck over 500 miles, with 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor. LTL shipments add 2-4 business days due to terminal transfers. Expedited service with team drivers can reduce FTL transit by up to 40%.
What equipment do I need for Akron to Newark freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Akron commonly ships tires & rubber products, polymer compounds, oats & cereals (Quaker), which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Newark commonly receives imported containers (all categories), consumer electronics, apparel & textiles. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Newark to Akron?
Moderate backhaul (scored 61/100 based on Newark's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Newark to Akron requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Newark's top outbound commodities — containerized exports, pharmaceuticals, refined petroleum — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Akron to Newark?
The Akron-to-Newark corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Akron's top outbound commodities include tires & rubber products, polymer compounds, oats & cereals (Quaker), industrial adhesives, specialty chemicals, fabricated metals. Newark's primary inbound freight includes imported containers (all categories), consumer electronics, apparel & textiles, furniture, automotive parts, food imports. Industries driving this lane include polymer & rubber manufacturing and advanced materials from Akron and port logistics & drayage and air cargo in Newark.
What tolls should I expect on the Akron to Newark route?
Expect roughly $26-$43 in tolls round-trip passing through OH, NJ. Most rate quotes either include tolls in the line-haul or bill them as a separate pass-through — ask your dispatcher to confirm which model applies to your lane.
When are rates highest on the Akron to Newark lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to polymer & rubber manufacturing and advanced materials cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Akron to Newark
We maintain working relationships with 158+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Akron–Newark corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
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