Freight Shipping from Allentown to Atlanta
Ship freight from Allentown, PA to Atlanta, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,903-$2,345, LTL from $687-$1,152. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
885 mi
Drive Time
16 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,903-$2,345
LTL Rate Est.
$687-$1,152
Industrial Freight Lane
Allentown → Atlanta Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
128–152
running this lane
Weekly Loads
88–109
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
64/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$18–$29 one-way passing through PA, GA, TN, KY, VA, OH, SC, NC. 2 typical fuel stops 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.
Allentown to Atlanta Freight Corridor
The Lehigh Valley has exploded into one of the East Coast's premier distribution corridors, with over 100 million square feet of warehouse space concentrated along I-78. The region's position — 80 miles from New York City and 60 miles from Philadelphia — makes it the ideal last-mile staging area for the entire Northeast megalopolis. The former Bethlehem Steel site has been transformed into a 3,000-acre logistics and commerce center, symbolizing the Valley's shift from heavy industry to distribution.
Atlanta is the freight crossroads of the Southeast and arguably the most balanced truck market in the country. The convergence of I-75, I-85, and I-20 creates a natural hub where carriers can find loads heading in virtually any direction within hours. UPS and The Home Depot both headquarter their logistics operations here, contributing to a freight ecosystem so dense that the metro has more warehouse space than most states. Norfolk Southern and CSX both maintain major intermodal operations, making Atlanta the rail freight capital of the Southeast.
The Allentown-to-Atlanta corridor spans 885 miles via I-78, US-22, I-75, I-85. This lane connects logistics & distribution and food processing freight from the Allentown market to logistics & distribution and film & entertainment demand in Atlanta. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Allentown
Allentown's economy is driven by logistics & distribution, food processing, healthcare, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
consumer packaged goods
cement & concrete products
processed foods
medical supplies
snack foods (Utz)
retail merchandise
What Atlanta Receives
Atlanta's logistics & distribution, film & entertainment, financial technology sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Allentown.
consumer goods
construction materials
automotive parts
electronics
food ingredients
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Allentown and Atlanta, 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.
$1,903-$2,345 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.
$2,522-$3,230 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.
$687-$1,152 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Allentown to Atlanta lane (885 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,903-$2,345 | 16 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $687-$1,152 | 18-20 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,876-$3,983 | 11 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,195-$1,637 | 19-21 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Allentown and Atlanta that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx Ground (regional hub)
Amazon ABE Fulfillment
Utz Brands (Hanover)
The Home Depot (HQ)
UPS (HQ)
Coca-Cola (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Allentown to Atlanta
Allentown Seasonal Advisory
E-commerce fulfillment drives a massive Q4 surge — Amazon and FedEx Ground ramp seasonal staffing and truck volume by 40-60% from October through December. Cement and construction material shipments peak March through November.
Atlanta Seasonal Advisory
Home improvement freight (Home Depot's supply chain) peaks March through June. Carpet shipments from the Dalton mills 90 miles north run heaviest in spring and fall. Coca-Cola distribution spikes ahead of summer and holiday seasons.
Overnight Transit
This 885-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 Allentown and Atlanta — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Allentown, PA
- Metro Population
- 860K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.00-$2.35/mi
- Key Highways
- I-78, US-22, I-476
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Bethlehem Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- Lehigh Valley Industrial Park (I-78), Upper Macungie Township, Bethlehem Commerce Center (former Steel site)
“Lehigh Valley's warehouse density means carriers can almost always find backhaul loads within 15 minutes of any delivery. The I-78 corridor between Allentown and the New Jersey ports functions as a continuous conveyor belt of import deconsolidation freight.”
Destination
Atlanta, GA
- Metro Population
- 6.1M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.20-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-75, I-85, I-20
- Rail / Intermodal
- NS Inman Yard; CSX Fairburn Intermodal; NS Austell Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- South Atlanta/I-75 (McDonough/Locust Grove), West Atlanta/I-20 (Douglasville/Lithia Springs), Northeast/I-85 (Braselton/Jefferson)
“Atlanta's I-285 perimeter loop is the single most important freight route in the Southeast. Carriers who understand the clockwise vs. counterclockwise traffic patterns and time their crosstown runs to avoid the I-285/I-85 Spaghetti Junction can save 45-90 minutes per delivery.”
Return Loads from Atlanta
Backhaul from Atlanta to Allentown requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Atlanta
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Allentown to Atlanta Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Allentown to Atlanta?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Allentown, PA to Atlanta, GA currently range $1,903-$2,345 (roughly $2.17-$2.66 per mile over 885 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $687-$1,152 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 Allentown to Atlanta?
Standard FTL transit from Allentown to Atlanta is approximately 16 hrs by truck over 885 miles, with 2 typical fuel stops 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service via Norfolk Southern Bethlehem Intermodal to NS Inman Yard takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Allentown to Atlanta freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Allentown commonly ships consumer packaged goods, cement & concrete products, processed foods, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Atlanta commonly receives consumer goods, construction materials, automotive parts. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Atlanta to Allentown?
Moderate backhaul (scored 64/100 based on Atlanta's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Atlanta to Allentown requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Atlanta's top outbound commodities — automobiles (Kia), poultry products, soft drinks & beverages — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Allentown to Atlanta?
The Allentown-to-Atlanta corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. Allentown's top outbound commodities include consumer packaged goods, cement & concrete products, processed foods, medical supplies, snack foods (Utz), retail merchandise. Atlanta's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, construction materials, automotive parts, electronics, food ingredients, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution and food processing from Allentown and logistics & distribution and film & entertainment in Atlanta.
When are rates highest on the Allentown to Atlanta lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to logistics & distribution and food processing cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). 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 Allentown to Atlanta
We maintain working relationships with 128+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Allentown–Atlanta 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