Freight Shipping from Boston to Burlington
Ship freight from Boston, MA to Burlington, VT with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $507-$625, LTL from $330-$601. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
236 mi
Drive Time
4 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$507-$625
LTL Rate Est.
$330-$601
Boston to Burlington Freight Corridor
Boston's freight market is dominated by the biotech and pharmaceutical corridor along the Route 128 belt and Cambridge/Kendall Square. Temperature-controlled pharmaceutical shipments from Moderna, Takeda, and dozens of biotech firms command premium rates and require validated cold-chain documentation. The Port of Boston's Conley Terminal handles 300,000+ TEUs annually but congestion in the Seaport District creates chronic drayage bottlenecks.
Burlington is an unlikely freight hub — but GlobalFoundries' semiconductor fab in Essex Junction is the largest private employer in Vermont, producing advanced chips that ship worldwide in climate-controlled, high-security trailers. Ben & Jerry's and Keurig Dr Pepper operate major production facilities in nearby Waterbury, creating consistent reefer and dry van demand. Vermont's geographic isolation from major interstates means carriers command premium rates for serving this market.
The Boston-to-Burlington corridor spans 236 miles via I-90, I-93, I-89, US-7. This lane connects biotech & pharmaceuticals and higher education freight from the Boston market to semiconductor manufacturing and specialty food & beverage demand in Burlington. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Boston
Boston's economy is driven by biotech & pharmaceuticals, higher education, financial services, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
pharmaceuticals
medical devices
seafood (lobster)
tech hardware
defense electronics
biotech samples
What Burlington Receives
Burlington's semiconductor manufacturing, specialty food & beverage, healthcare sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Boston.
silicon wafers
chemicals
consumer goods
fuel (heating oil)
building materials
food products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Boston and Burlington, 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.
$507-$625 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.
$625-$791 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.
$673-$861 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$743-$1,003 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Boston to Burlington lane (236 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $507-$625 | 4 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $330-$601 | 6-8 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $767-$1,062 | 3 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Boston and Burlington that drive volume on this lane.
Moderna
Raytheon Technologies
Boston Scientific
GlobalFoundries (Essex Junction fab)
Ben & Jerry's (Waterbury)
Keurig Dr Pepper (Waterbury)
Shipping Tips for Boston to Burlington
Boston Seasonal Advisory
University move-in/move-out season (August-September and May-June) creates a massive surge in household goods and furniture freight. Heating oil tanker demand spikes November through March.
Burlington Seasonal Advisory
Maple syrup season (March-April) creates a brief but intense shipping surge. Ben & Jerry's reefer demand peaks ahead of summer. Heating oil deliveries dominate inbound freight October through April. GlobalFoundries runs 24/7 year-round with steady output.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 236 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.
Boston to Burlington Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Boston to Burlington?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Boston, MA to Burlington, VT currently range from $507-$625 for a standard dry van load over the 236-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $330-$601 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 Boston to Burlington?
Standard FTL transit from Boston to Burlington is approximately 4 hrs by truck over 236 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 Boston to Burlington freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Boston commonly ships pharmaceuticals, medical devices, seafood (lobster), which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Burlington commonly receives silicon wafers, chemicals, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Burlington to Boston?
Yes. Burlington is a strong outbound market shipping semiconductors (GlobalFoundries), craft beer & spirits, maple syrup. Carriers returning from Burlington to Boston can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Boston-to-Burlington lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Boston to Burlington?
The Boston-to-Burlington corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Boston's top outbound commodities include pharmaceuticals, medical devices, seafood (lobster), tech hardware, defense electronics, biotech samples. Burlington's primary inbound freight includes silicon wafers, chemicals, consumer goods, fuel (heating oil), building materials, food products. Industries driving this lane include biotech & pharmaceuticals and higher education from Boston and semiconductor manufacturing and specialty food & beverage in Burlington.
Get Exact Rates for Boston to Burlington
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Boston to Burlington lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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