Freight Shipping from Allentown to Pittsburgh
Ship freight from Allentown, PA to Pittsburgh, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $662-$816, LTL from $369-$662. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
308 mi
Drive Time
6 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$662-$816
LTL Rate Est.
$369-$662
Allentown to Pittsburgh 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.
Pittsburgh has reinvented itself from bulk steel to high-tech manufacturing, but freight still flows heavy from this river city. U.S. Steel and PPG Industries maintain headquarters here, and the three-river confluence creates the nation's second-busiest inland port by tonnage. The emerging autonomous vehicle corridor — Aurora, Argo AI, and Carnegie Mellon's robotics spinoffs — adds a new class of high-value, specialized freight moving between testing facilities and manufacturing partners.
The Allentown-to-Pittsburgh corridor spans 308 miles via I-78, US-22, I-76, I-79. This lane connects logistics & distribution and food processing freight from the Allentown market to advanced manufacturing and robotics & ai demand in Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh Receives
Pittsburgh's advanced manufacturing, robotics & ai, healthcare sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Allentown.
raw metals
electronic components
coal
natural gas equipment
consumer goods
medical supplies
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Allentown and Pittsburgh, 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.
$662-$816 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.
$878-$1,124 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.
$369-$662 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Allentown to Pittsburgh lane (308 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $662-$816 | 6 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $369-$662 | 8-10 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,001-$1,386 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Allentown and Pittsburgh that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx Ground (regional hub)
Amazon ABE Fulfillment
Utz Brands (Hanover)
U.S. Steel (HQ)
PPG Industries (HQ)
UPMC Health System
Shipping Tips for Allentown to Pittsburgh
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.
Pittsburgh Seasonal Advisory
Construction season (April-November) drives the strongest demand for steel and building materials freight. Natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale region generates year-round oilfield equipment moves, with spikes when new wells are permitted.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 308 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 Pittsburgh Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Allentown to Pittsburgh?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Allentown, PA to Pittsburgh, PA currently range from $662-$816 for a standard dry van load over the 308-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $369-$662 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 Pittsburgh?
Standard FTL transit from Allentown to Pittsburgh is approximately 6 hrs by truck over 308 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 Pittsburgh 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. Pittsburgh commonly receives raw metals, electronic components, coal. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Pittsburgh to Allentown?
Yes. Pittsburgh is a strong outbound market shipping specialty steel, industrial equipment, medical devices. Carriers returning from Pittsburgh to Allentown can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Allentown-to-Pittsburgh lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Allentown to Pittsburgh?
The Allentown-to-Pittsburgh 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. Pittsburgh's primary inbound freight includes raw metals, electronic components, coal, natural gas equipment, consumer goods, medical supplies. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution and food processing from Allentown and advanced manufacturing and robotics & AI in Pittsburgh.
Get Exact Rates for Allentown to Pittsburgh
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Allentown to Pittsburgh lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts