Freight Shipping from Boston to Providence
Ship freight from Boston, MA to Providence, RI with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $116-$143, LTL from $230-$446. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
54 mi
Drive Time
1 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$116-$143
LTL Rate Est.
$230-$446
Boston to Providence 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.
Providence may be small but it punches hard in logistics. CVS Health's national headquarters in nearby Woonsocket drives pharmaceutical and retail distribution freight across the Northeast. Hasbro's toy and game operations generate seasonal spikes that test carrier capacity. The Port of Providence handles bulk commodities — auto imports, petroleum, and construction aggregates — while Electric Boat's submarine component work at Quonset Point creates specialized defense freight.
The Boston-to-Providence corridor spans 54 miles via I-95. This lane connects biotech & pharmaceuticals and higher education freight from the Boston market to jewelry & costume accessories and healthcare demand in Providence. 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 Providence Receives
Providence's jewelry & costume accessories, healthcare, defense (naval station newport) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Boston.
raw precious metals
petroleum products
consumer goods
bulk commodities (coal, salt)
building materials
food products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Boston and Providence, 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.
$116-$143 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.
$143-$181 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.
$154-$197 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$170-$230 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Boston to Providence lane (54 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $116-$143 | 1 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $230-$446 | 3-5 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $176-$243 | 1 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Boston and Providence that drive volume on this lane.
Moderna
Raytheon Technologies
Boston Scientific
CVS Health (HQ, Woonsocket)
Hasbro (HQ, Pawtucket)
Electric Boat (Quonset Point)
Shipping Tips for Boston to Providence
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.
Providence Seasonal Advisory
Hasbro's toy distribution creates a sharp Q3-Q4 peak as products ship to retailers for the holiday season. CVS distribution is steady year-round with peaks during cold/flu season. Port operations slow during winter storms but remain active.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 54 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 Providence Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Boston to Providence?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Boston, MA to Providence, RI currently range from $116-$143 for a standard dry van load over the 54-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $230-$446 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 Providence?
Standard FTL transit from Boston to Providence is approximately 1 hrs by truck over 54 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 Providence freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Boston commonly ships pharmaceuticals, medical devices, seafood (lobster), which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Providence commonly receives raw precious metals, petroleum products, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Providence to Boston?
Yes. Providence is a strong outbound market shipping jewelry & fashion accessories, medical devices, fabricated metals. Carriers returning from Providence to Boston can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Boston-to-Providence lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Boston to Providence?
The Boston-to-Providence corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Boston's top outbound commodities include pharmaceuticals, medical devices, seafood (lobster), tech hardware, defense electronics, biotech samples. Providence's primary inbound freight includes raw precious metals, petroleum products, consumer goods, bulk commodities (coal, salt), building materials, food products. Industries driving this lane include biotech & pharmaceuticals and higher education from Boston and jewelry & costume accessories and healthcare in Providence.
Get Exact Rates for Boston to Providence
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Boston to Providence lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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