Freight Shipping from Allentown to Denver
Ship freight from Allentown, PA to Denver, CO with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,337-$5,345, LTL from $1,309-$2,114. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,017 mi
Drive Time
37 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,337-$5,345
LTL Rate Est.
$1,309-$2,114
Consumer Goods Corridor
Allentown → Denver Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
81–97
running this lane
Weekly Loads
86–98
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
65/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$67–$111 one-way passing through PA, CO, OH, IN, IL, MO. 5 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Mon, Tue, Wed. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Allentown to Denver 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.
Denver is the Rocky Mountain region's undisputed freight hub and the last major distribution point before the I-70 mountain corridor forces carriers through some of the most challenging terrain in the lower 48. The city's booming population growth has spawned massive warehouse development along the I-76 and E-470 corridors near DIA. Denver's natural foods industry, anchored by WhiteWave, Natural Grocers, and dozens of craft producers, generates high-value reefer freight heading to both coasts.
The Allentown-to-Denver corridor spans 2,017 miles via I-78, US-22, I-25, I-70. This lane connects logistics & distribution and food processing freight from the Allentown market to aerospace & defense and technology demand in Denver. 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 Denver Receives
Denver's aerospace & defense, technology, natural foods & beverage sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Allentown.
consumer goods
building materials
automotive vehicles
industrial machinery
fresh produce
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Allentown and Denver, 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.
$4,337-$5,345 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.
$5,345-$6,757 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.
$5,748-$7,362 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.
$1,309-$2,114 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Allentown to Denver lane (2,017 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,337-$5,345 | 37 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,309-$2,114 | 39-41 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $6,555-$9,077 | 24 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,723-$3,731 | 40-42 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Allentown and Denver that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx Ground (regional hub)
Amazon ABE Fulfillment
Utz Brands (Hanover)
Amazon (4 facilities)
Lockheed Martin (Waterton)
Ball Corporation (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Allentown to Denver
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.
Denver Seasonal Advisory
Construction season (April-October) drives flatbed demand for building materials headed to mountain resort communities. Ski season freight (equipment, supplies) peaks September-November as resorts stock up.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,017 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 37 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
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 Denver — 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
Denver, CO
- Metro Population
- 2.9M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.25-$2.60/mi
- Key Highways
- I-25, I-70, I-76
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Irondale Intermodal; UP Denver Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- DIA/Aurora Corridor, Henderson/I-76, Centennial/I-25 South
“Winter chain laws on I-70 west of Denver (Eisenhower Tunnel) regularly shut down truck traffic, sometimes for days. Experienced carriers build 24-48 hours of buffer into westbound Mountain Corridor loads between November and April.”
Return Loads from Denver
Backhaul from Denver to Allentown requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Denver
Seasonal Rate Patterns
May-Aug (produce season)
+12-18% on reefer capacity
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 Denver Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Allentown to Denver?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Allentown, PA to Denver, CO currently range $4,337-$5,345 (roughly $2.16-$2.66 per mile over 2,017 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,309-$2,114 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 Allentown to Denver?
Standard FTL transit from Allentown to Denver is approximately 37 hrs by truck over 2,017 miles, with 5 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 BNSF Irondale Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Allentown to Denver 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. Denver commonly receives consumer goods, building materials, automotive vehicles. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Denver to Allentown?
Moderate backhaul (scored 65/100 based on Denver's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Denver to Allentown requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Denver's top outbound commodities — natural & organic foods, craft beer & spirits, aerospace components — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Allentown to Denver?
The Allentown-to-Denver corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Allentown's top outbound commodities include consumer packaged goods, cement & concrete products, processed foods, medical supplies, snack foods (Utz), retail merchandise. Denver's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, building materials, automotive vehicles, industrial machinery, fresh produce, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution and food processing from Allentown and aerospace & defense and technology in Denver.
What tolls should I expect on the Allentown to Denver route?
Expect roughly $67-$111 in tolls round-trip passing through PA, CO, OH, IN, IL, MO. 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 Allentown to Denver lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to logistics & distribution and food processing cycles. Key periods: May-Aug (produce season) (+12-18% on reefer capacity); 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 (Mon, Tue, Wed) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Should I use team drivers for the Allentown to Denver lane?
At 2,017 miles, this route exceeds a solo driver's hours-of-service limits and requires at least one 10-hour break, adding roughly 14-18 hours to transit. Team drivers typically deliver in 22-26 hours — nearly half the solo transit — at a 20-35% rate premium. For time-critical freight over 1,200 miles, teams generally pay for themselves.
Get Exact Rates for Allentown to Denver
We maintain working relationships with 81+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Allentown–Denver 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