Freight Shipping from Atlanta to Newark
Ship freight from Atlanta, GA to Newark, NJ with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,068-$2,549, LTL from $729-$1,218. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
962 mi
Drive Time
17 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,068-$2,549
LTL Rate Est.
$729-$1,218
Consumer Goods Corridor
Atlanta → Newark Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
164–185
running this lane
Weekly Loads
233–250
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
71/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$18–$31 one-way passing through GA, NJ, 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.
Atlanta to Newark Freight Corridor
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.
Newark is the epicenter of East Coast container freight, with Port Newark-Elizabeth handling 8+ million TEUs annually as the busiest port on the Atlantic seaboard. The drayage market from the port terminals to regional distribution centers is one of the highest-volume, most competitive trucking segments in the nation. Newark Liberty Airport adds significant air cargo volume, making this one of the densest multimodal freight zones in the world.
The Atlanta-to-Newark corridor spans 962 miles via I-75, I-85, I-95/NJ Turnpike, I-78. This lane connects logistics & distribution and film & entertainment freight from the Atlanta market to port logistics & drayage and air cargo demand in Newark. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Atlanta
Atlanta's economy is driven by logistics & distribution, film & entertainment, financial technology, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
automobiles (Kia)
poultry products
soft drinks & beverages
carpet & flooring
film equipment
packaged foods
What Newark Receives
Newark's port logistics & drayage, air cargo, pharmaceuticals sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Atlanta.
imported containers (all categories)
consumer electronics
apparel & textiles
furniture
automotive parts
food imports
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Atlanta and Newark, 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.
$2,068-$2,549 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.
$2,549-$3,223 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.
$729-$1,218 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Atlanta to Newark lane (962 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,068-$2,549 | 17 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $729-$1,218 | 19-21 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,127-$4,329 | 12 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,299-$1,780 | 20-22 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Atlanta and Newark that drive volume on this lane.
The Home Depot (HQ)
UPS (HQ)
Coca-Cola (HQ)
Maersk (Port Newark)
Amazon EWR Fulfillment
Anheuser-Busch Newark
Shipping Tips for Atlanta to Newark
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.
Newark Seasonal Advisory
Import volumes peak August through October as retailers stock for the holiday season, creating severe chassis shortages and 3-5 day terminal wait times. Post-Lunar New Year (February-March) brings a second surge as Asian factories resume production.
Overnight Transit
This 962-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 Atlanta and Newark — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
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.”
Destination
Newark, NJ
- Metro Population
- 2.0M metro (Newark-Union)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.60-$3.10/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95/NJ Turnpike, I-78, I-280
- Rail / Intermodal
- Port Newark Container Terminal; ExpressRail Elizabeth Intermodal
- Port Access
- Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Elizabeth/Port District, Kearny/Meadowlands, Linden/I-95 South
“Port Newark drayage is a specialized market where chassis availability, terminal turn times, and demurrage/detention charges can make or break profitability. Experienced port truckers who understand terminal gate procedures and chassis pool logistics consistently outperform general freight carriers attempting to enter this market.”
Return Loads from Newark
Newark generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Atlanta is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Newark
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Atlanta to Newark Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Atlanta to Newark?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Atlanta, GA to Newark, NJ currently range $2,068-$2,549 (roughly $2.17-$2.65 per mile over 962 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $729-$1,218 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 Atlanta to Newark?
Standard FTL transit from Atlanta to Newark is approximately 17 hrs by truck over 962 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 NS Inman Yard to Port Newark Container Terminal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Atlanta to Newark freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Atlanta commonly ships automobiles (Kia), poultry products, soft drinks & beverages, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Newark commonly receives imported containers (all categories), consumer electronics, apparel & textiles. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Newark to Atlanta?
Strong backhaul (scored 71/100 based on Newark's outbound commodity mix). Newark generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Atlanta is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Newark's top outbound commodities — containerized exports, pharmaceuticals, refined petroleum — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Atlanta to Newark?
The Atlanta-to-Newark corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Atlanta's top outbound commodities include automobiles (Kia), poultry products, soft drinks & beverages, carpet & flooring, film equipment, packaged foods. Newark's primary inbound freight includes imported containers (all categories), consumer electronics, apparel & textiles, furniture, automotive parts, food imports. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution and film & entertainment from Atlanta and port logistics & drayage and air cargo in Newark.
When are rates highest on the Atlanta to Newark lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to logistics & distribution and film & entertainment cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable). 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 Atlanta to Newark
We maintain working relationships with 164+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Atlanta–Newark corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
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