Freight Shipping from Allentown to Philadelphia
Ship freight from Allentown, PA to Philadelphia, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $135-$167, LTL from $235-$454. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
63 mi
Drive Time
1 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$135-$167
LTL Rate Est.
$235-$454
Allentown to Philadelphia 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.
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 Allentown-to-Philadelphia corridor spans 63 miles via I-476. This lane connects logistics & distribution and food processing freight from the Allentown 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 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 Philadelphia Receives
Philadelphia's pharmaceuticals & biotech, petroleum refining, food processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Allentown.
crude oil
containerized imports
cocoa beans & sugar
vehicles
steel & metals
produce (Latin America)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Allentown 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.
$135-$167 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.
$167-$211 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.
$180-$230 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$198-$268 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Allentown to Philadelphia lane (63 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $135-$167 | 1 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $235-$454 | 3-5 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $205-$284 | 1 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Allentown and Philadelphia that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx Ground (regional hub)
Amazon ABE Fulfillment
Utz Brands (Hanover)
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Shipping Tips for Allentown to Philadelphia
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.
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 63 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.
Allentown to Philadelphia Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Allentown to Philadelphia?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Allentown, PA to Philadelphia, PA currently range from $135-$167 for a standard dry van load over the 63-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $235-$454 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Request a custom quote for exact pricing based on your specific shipment details.
How long does freight take from Allentown to Philadelphia?
Standard FTL transit from Allentown to Philadelphia is approximately 1 hrs by truck over 63 miles. 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 Allentown to Philadelphia 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. 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 Allentown?
Yes. Philadelphia is a strong outbound market shipping refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods. Carriers returning from Philadelphia to Allentown can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Allentown-to-Philadelphia lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Allentown to Philadelphia?
The Allentown-to-Philadelphia corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Allentown's top outbound commodities include consumer packaged goods, cement & concrete products, processed foods, medical supplies, snack foods (Utz), retail merchandise. Philadelphia's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar, vehicles, steel & metals, produce (Latin America). Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution and food processing from Allentown and pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining in Philadelphia.
Get Exact Rates for Allentown to Philadelphia
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Allentown to Philadelphia lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts