Freight Shipping from Akron to Philadelphia
Ship freight from Akron, OH to Philadelphia, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $957-$1,179, LTL from $445-$778. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
445 mi
Drive Time
8 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$957-$1,179
LTL Rate Est.
$445-$778
Industrial Freight Lane
Akron → Philadelphia Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
157–174
running this lane
Weekly Loads
82–98
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
64/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$25–$41 one-way passing through OH, PA. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Mon, Tue, Wed. Avoid: Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Akron to Philadelphia 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.
Philadelphia commands the Delaware River waterfront with PhilaPort, the fastest-growing port on the East Coast and the nation's top import point for fresh fruit, cocoa beans, and forest products. The metro's pharmaceutical corridor — stretching from the Navy Yard to the western suburbs — houses major operations from GSK, AstraZeneca, and dozens of biotech firms generating high-value temperature-controlled freight. The I-95/I-76/New Jersey Turnpike interchange makes Philadelphia the Northeast's critical freight chokepoint.
The Akron-to-Philadelphia corridor spans 445 miles via I-76. This lane connects polymer & rubber manufacturing and advanced materials freight from the Akron market to pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining demand in Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia Receives
Philadelphia's pharmaceuticals & biotech, petroleum refining, food processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Akron.
crude oil
containerized imports
cocoa beans & sugar
vehicles
steel & metals
produce (Latin America)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Akron and Philadelphia, 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.
$957-$1,179 estimated for this lane
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Required for temperature-sensitive freight including fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Maintains precise temperature control throughout transit.
$1,179-$1,491 estimated for this lane
Flatbed
Best for steel, lumber, machinery, building materials, and oversized loads that cannot be palletized or loaded through standard dock doors.
$1,268-$1,624 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,402-$1,891 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Akron to Philadelphia lane (445 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $957-$1,179 | 8 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $445-$778 | 10-12 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,446-$2,003 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Akron and Philadelphia that drive volume on this lane.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber (HQ)
FirstEnergy (HQ)
Smucker's (Akron bakery)
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Shipping Tips for Akron to Philadelphia
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.
Philadelphia Seasonal Advisory
Fresh fruit imports peak January through April (Chilean fruit season). Pharmaceutical shipments maintain steady year-round volume with slight spikes during flu vaccine distribution (August-October). Holiday retail import surge hits September through November.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 445 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
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 Philadelphia — 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
Philadelphia, PA
- Metro Population
- 6.2M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95, I-76, I-476
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Philadelphia Terminal; CSX Greenwich Yard; PhilaPort Packer Avenue Marine Terminal
- Port Access
- PhilaPort — Port of Philadelphia (Delaware River, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Northeast Philadelphia/I-95 Corridor, King of Prussia/I-76 West, South Jersey/I-295 (Camden-Gloucester)
“PhilaPort's concentration in perishable imports creates a natural reefer freight ecosystem — carriers delivering produce from Central and South America can backhaul pharmaceuticals and processed foods northbound on I-95 or westbound on I-76, maintaining cold chain both ways.”
Return Loads from Philadelphia
Backhaul from Philadelphia to Akron requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Philadelphia
Seasonal Rate Patterns
May-Aug (produce season)
+12-18% on reefer capacity
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Akron to Philadelphia Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Akron to Philadelphia?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Akron, OH to Philadelphia, PA currently range $957-$1,179 (roughly $2.17-$2.66 per mile over 445 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $445-$778 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently tight 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 Philadelphia?
Standard FTL transit from Akron to Philadelphia is approximately 8 hrs by truck over 445 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 Philadelphia 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. Philadelphia commonly receives crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Philadelphia to Akron?
Moderate backhaul (scored 64/100 based on Philadelphia's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Philadelphia to Akron requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Philadelphia's top outbound commodities — refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Akron to Philadelphia?
The Akron-to-Philadelphia corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. Akron's top outbound commodities include tires & rubber products, polymer compounds, oats & cereals (Quaker), industrial adhesives, specialty chemicals, fabricated metals. Philadelphia's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar, vehicles, steel & metals, produce (Latin America). Industries driving this lane include polymer & rubber manufacturing and advanced materials from Akron and pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining in Philadelphia.
What tolls should I expect on the Akron to Philadelphia route?
Expect roughly $25-$41 in tolls round-trip passing through OH, PA. 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 Philadelphia lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to polymer & rubber manufacturing and advanced materials cycles. Key periods: May-Aug (produce season) (+12-18% on reefer capacity); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Mon, Tue, Wed) and avoid Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Akron to Philadelphia
We maintain working relationships with 157+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Akron–Philadelphia corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts