Freight Shipping from Burlington to Boston
Ship freight from Burlington, VT to Boston, MA 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
Burlington to Boston Freight Corridor
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.
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.
The Burlington-to-Boston corridor spans 236 miles via I-89, US-7, I-90, I-93. This lane connects semiconductor manufacturing and specialty food & beverage freight from the Burlington market to biotech & pharmaceuticals and higher education demand in Boston. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Burlington
Burlington's economy is driven by semiconductor manufacturing, specialty food & beverage, healthcare, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
semiconductors (GlobalFoundries)
craft beer & spirits
maple syrup
ice cream (Ben & Jerry's)
specialty cheese
precision instruments
What Boston Receives
Boston's biotech & pharmaceuticals, higher education, financial services sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Burlington.
consumer goods
building materials
food & beverage
lab equipment
fuel & heating oil
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Burlington and Boston, 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
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.
$330-$601 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Burlington to Boston 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 Burlington and Boston that drive volume on this lane.
GlobalFoundries (Essex Junction fab)
Ben & Jerry's (Waterbury)
Keurig Dr Pepper (Waterbury)
Moderna
Raytheon Technologies
Boston Scientific
Shipping Tips for Burlington to Boston
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.
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.
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.
Burlington to Boston Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Burlington to Boston?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Burlington, VT to Boston, MA 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 Burlington to Boston?
Standard FTL transit from Burlington to Boston 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 Burlington to Boston freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Burlington commonly ships semiconductors (GlobalFoundries), craft beer & spirits, maple syrup, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Boston commonly receives consumer goods, building materials, food & beverage. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Boston to Burlington?
Yes. Boston is a strong outbound market shipping pharmaceuticals, medical devices, seafood (lobster). Carriers returning from Boston to Burlington can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Burlington-to-Boston lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Burlington to Boston?
The Burlington-to-Boston corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Burlington's top outbound commodities include semiconductors (GlobalFoundries), craft beer & spirits, maple syrup, ice cream (Ben & Jerry's), specialty cheese, precision instruments. Boston's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, building materials, food & beverage, lab equipment, fuel & heating oil, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include semiconductor manufacturing and specialty food & beverage from Burlington and biotech & pharmaceuticals and higher education in Boston.
Get Exact Rates for Burlington to Boston
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