Freight Shipping from Chicago to Newark
Ship freight from Chicago, IL to Newark, NJ with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,963-$2,419, LTL from $702-$1,176. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
913 mi
Drive Time
17 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,963-$2,419
LTL Rate Est.
$702-$1,176
Chicago to Newark Freight Corridor
Chicago is the freight capital of North America, full stop. One-third of all US rail freight passes through the metro, and the I-55/I-80 corridor south of the city contains the highest concentration of intermodal facilities and mega-distribution centers in the world. BNSF's Logistics Park Chicago in Elwood alone processes over 2 million container lifts annually. The I-294 corridor warehouses from Bedford Park to Elk Grove Village process more cross-dock volume than any other US metro, making Chicago the pivot point for transcontinental freight in every direction.
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 Chicago-to-Newark corridor spans 913 miles via I-90, I-94, I-95/NJ Turnpike, I-78. This lane connects logistics & intermodal and food manufacturing freight from the Chicago 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 Chicago
Chicago's economy is driven by logistics & intermodal, food manufacturing, financial services, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
processed foods
steel products
pharmaceuticals
industrial machinery
electronics
printed materials
What Newark Receives
Newark's port logistics & drayage, air cargo, pharmaceuticals sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Chicago.
imported containers (all categories)
consumer electronics
apparel & textiles
furniture
automotive parts
food imports
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Chicago 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.
$1,963-$2,419 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.
$2,419-$3,059 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.
$2,602-$3,332 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.
$702-$1,176 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Chicago to Newark lane (913 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,963-$2,419 | 17 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $702-$1,176 | 19-21 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,967-$4,109 | 11 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,233-$1,689 | 20-22 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Chicago and Newark that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (15+ facilities)
Walmart (Elwood mega-DC)
Abbott Laboratories
Maersk (Port Newark)
Amazon EWR Fulfillment
Anheuser-Busch Newark
Shipping Tips for Chicago to Newark
Chicago Seasonal Advisory
Holiday import season (September-December) pushes intermodal yards to capacity. Agricultural export season (October-January) adds grain and soybean volume. January-February is the slowest period, with spot rates often dropping 15-20% below annual averages.
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 913-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.
Chicago to Newark Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Chicago to Newark?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Chicago, IL to Newark, NJ currently range from $1,963-$2,419 for a standard dry van load over the 913-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $702-$1,176 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 Chicago to Newark?
Standard FTL transit from Chicago to Newark is approximately 17 hrs by truck over 913 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Chicago to Newark freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Chicago commonly ships processed foods, steel products, pharmaceuticals, 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 Chicago?
Yes. Newark is a strong outbound market shipping containerized exports, pharmaceuticals, refined petroleum. Carriers returning from Newark to Chicago can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Chicago-to-Newark lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Chicago to Newark?
The Chicago-to-Newark corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Chicago's top outbound commodities include processed foods, steel products, pharmaceuticals, industrial machinery, electronics, printed materials. 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 & intermodal and food manufacturing from Chicago and port logistics & drayage and air cargo in Newark.
Get Exact Rates for Chicago to Newark
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