Freight Shipping from Baltimore to Elizabeth
Ship freight from Baltimore, MD to Elizabeth, NJ with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $443-$546, LTL from $313-$575. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
206 mi
Drive Time
4 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$443-$546
LTL Rate Est.
$313-$575
Auto Manufacturing Corridor
Baltimore → Elizabeth Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
165–187
running this lane
Weekly Loads
84–99
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
60/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$9–$15 one-way passing through MD, NJ. 1 typical fuel stop 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.
Baltimore to Elizabeth Freight Corridor
Baltimore's Port is the nation's top auto import hub, processing over 800,000 vehicles annually through its ro-ro terminals at Dundalk and Fairfield. Tradepoint Atlantic, the redeveloped Sparrows Point steel mill site, has become a 3,300-acre logistics campus attracting Amazon, FedEx, and Under Armour distribution operations. The I-95 corridor gives carriers direct access to the entire Northeast megalopolis.
Elizabeth is home to the largest container terminal complex in the Port of New York and New Jersey, processing millions of TEUs annually across the APM and Maersk terminals. The ExpressRail on-dock intermodal facility allows containers to move directly from ship to rail without a truck drayage move. Phillips 66's Bayway Refinery adds petroleum freight volume, while IKEA's massive distribution center serves the entire Northeast.
The Baltimore-to-Elizabeth corridor spans 206 miles via I-95, I-695, NJ Turnpike, I-278 (Goethals Bridge). This lane connects port logistics and biotech & pharmaceuticals freight from the Baltimore market to container port operations and intermodal logistics demand in Elizabeth. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Baltimore
Baltimore's economy is driven by port logistics, biotech & pharmaceuticals, automotive import/export, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
coal & bulk minerals
automobiles (re-export)
poultry products
medical devices
steel products
spices & seasonings
What Elizabeth Receives
Elizabeth's container port operations, intermodal logistics, petroleum refining sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Baltimore.
imported containers
crude oil
consumer electronics
apparel
furniture & home goods
automotive parts
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Baltimore and Elizabeth, 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.
$443-$546 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.
$546-$690 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.
$587-$752 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$649-$876 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Baltimore to Elizabeth lane (206 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $443-$546 | 4 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $313-$575 | 6-8 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $670-$927 | 2 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Baltimore and Elizabeth that drive volume on this lane.
Under Armour
McCormick & Company
Amazon BWI Fulfillment
APM Terminals (Elizabeth)
IKEA Elizabeth DC
Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery
Shipping Tips for Baltimore to Elizabeth
Baltimore Seasonal Advisory
Auto import volumes peak in spring as dealers stock for summer selling season. Coal exports through Curtis Bay fluctuate with European energy prices and can spike dramatically during cold winters abroad.
Elizabeth Seasonal Advisory
Peak import season (August-October) can extend vessel wait times to 5-7 days at anchor, cascading into terminal congestion and chassis shortages that ripple through the entire regional freight market.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 206 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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Baltimore and Elizabeth — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Baltimore, MD
- Metro Population
- 2.8M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95, I-695, I-70
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Baltimore Intermodal (ICTF); Norfolk Southern Bayview Yard
- Port Access
- Port of Baltimore (Helen Delich Bentley, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Sparrows Point/Tradepoint Atlantic, BWI/Linthicum Corridor, White Marsh/I-95 North
“The Port of Baltimore handles more farm and construction equipment than any other U.S. port. Flatbed carriers staging at Dundalk Marine Terminal can often combine a vehicle haul-away with oversize equipment loads, maximizing revenue per trip on the I-95 corridor.”
Destination
Elizabeth, NJ
- Metro Population
- 137K city (Union County 575K)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.55-$3.00/mi
- Key Highways
- NJ Turnpike, I-278 (Goethals Bridge), US-1/9
- Rail / Intermodal
- ExpressRail Elizabeth; APM Elizabeth Marine Terminal
- Port Access
- Elizabeth Marine Terminal (Port of NY/NJ, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Elizabeth Port District, Linden/Tremley Point
“Elizabeth's port terminals operate 24/7 with gate reservations becoming increasingly mandatory. Carriers who invest in port-specific technology (terminal appointment systems, chassis tracking apps) gain a significant efficiency advantage over those navigating the system manually.”
Return Loads from Elizabeth
Backhaul from Elizabeth to Baltimore requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Elizabeth
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
Baltimore to Elizabeth Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Baltimore to Elizabeth?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Baltimore, MD to Elizabeth, NJ currently range $443-$546 (roughly $2.16-$2.67 per mile over 206 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $313-$575 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 Baltimore to Elizabeth?
Standard FTL transit from Baltimore to Elizabeth is approximately 4 hrs by truck over 206 miles, with 1 typical fuel stop 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%.
What equipment do I need for Baltimore to Elizabeth freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Baltimore commonly ships coal & bulk minerals, automobiles (re-export), poultry products, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Elizabeth commonly receives imported containers, crude oil, consumer electronics. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Elizabeth to Baltimore?
Moderate backhaul (scored 60/100 based on Elizabeth's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Elizabeth to Baltimore requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Elizabeth's top outbound commodities — re-exported containers, refined petroleum, chemicals — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Baltimore to Elizabeth?
The Baltimore-to-Elizabeth corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Auto Manufacturing Corridor. Baltimore's top outbound commodities include coal & bulk minerals, automobiles (re-export), poultry products, medical devices, steel products, spices & seasonings. Elizabeth's primary inbound freight includes imported containers, crude oil, consumer electronics, apparel, furniture & home goods, automotive parts. Industries driving this lane include port logistics and biotech & pharmaceuticals from Baltimore and container port operations and intermodal logistics in Elizabeth.
When are rates highest on the Baltimore to Elizabeth lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to port logistics and biotech & pharmaceuticals 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.
Can freight from Baltimore to Elizabeth be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 206 miles (4 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Baltimore-to-Elizabeth lane in one shift. Same-day delivery requires booking before 9 AM local time at origin and confirming dock availability at destination. Expedited service runs 3 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Baltimore to Elizabeth
We maintain working relationships with 165+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Baltimore–Elizabeth 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