Freight Shipping from Cleveland to Philadelphia
Ship freight from Cleveland, OH to Philadelphia, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,002-$1,235, LTL from $456-$796. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
466 mi
Drive Time
8 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,002-$1,235
LTL Rate Est.
$456-$796
Auto Manufacturing Corridor
Cleveland → Philadelphia Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
185–200
running this lane
Weekly Loads
226–241
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
73/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$26–$43 one-way passing through OH, PA. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Mon, Tue, Wed. Avoid: Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Cleveland to Philadelphia Freight Corridor
Cleveland remains the industrial heart of the Great Lakes manufacturing belt, anchored by Sherwin-Williams' new global headquarters and Cleveland-Cliffs' integrated steel operations. The Port of Cleveland connects to global markets via the St. Lawrence Seaway, handling iron ore, steel, and heavy-lift project cargo. The I-90/I-77 junction gives carriers efficient access to the entire Midwest and Northeast.
Philadelphia commands the Delaware River waterfront with PhilaPort, the fastest-growing port on the East Coast and the nation's top import point for fresh fruit, cocoa beans, and forest products. The metro's pharmaceutical corridor — stretching from the Navy Yard to the western suburbs — houses major operations from GSK, AstraZeneca, and dozens of biotech firms generating high-value temperature-controlled freight. The I-95/I-76/New Jersey Turnpike interchange makes Philadelphia the Northeast's critical freight chokepoint.
The Cleveland-to-Philadelphia corridor spans 466 miles via I-90, I-77, I-95, I-76. This lane connects steel & metals and automotive parts freight from the Cleveland market to pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining demand in Philadelphia. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Cleveland
Cleveland's economy is driven by steel & metals, automotive parts, healthcare & biomedical, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
steel products
automotive stampings
industrial chemicals
paint & coatings (Sherwin-Williams)
medical devices
polymer products
What Philadelphia Receives
Philadelphia's pharmaceuticals & biotech, petroleum refining, food processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Cleveland.
crude oil
containerized imports
cocoa beans & sugar
vehicles
steel & metals
produce (Latin America)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Cleveland and Philadelphia, 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.
$1,002-$1,235 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.
$1,235-$1,561 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.
$1,328-$1,701 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,468-$1,981 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Cleveland to Philadelphia lane (466 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,002-$1,235 | 8 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $456-$796 | 10-12 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,515-$2,097 | 6 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Cleveland and Philadelphia that drive volume on this lane.
Sherwin-Williams (HQ)
Cleveland-Cliffs (HQ)
Lincoln Electric
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Shipping Tips for Cleveland to Philadelphia
Cleveland Seasonal Advisory
Steel production runs year-round but construction season (April-October) drives the strongest demand for outbound coil and plate loads. Great Lakes shipping season (April-January) determines iron ore import volumes at the port.
Philadelphia Seasonal Advisory
Fresh fruit imports peak January through April (Chilean fruit season). Pharmaceutical shipments maintain steady year-round volume with slight spikes during flu vaccine distribution (August-October). Holiday retail import surge hits September through November.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 466 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 Cleveland and Philadelphia — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Cleveland, OH
- Metro Population
- 2.1M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-90, I-77, I-480
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Cleveland Intermodal; CSX Collinwood Yard
- Port Access
- Port of Cleveland (Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Seaway, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Solon/I-480 East, Brook Park/I-71 South, Twinsburg/I-480 Corridor
“Cleveland's steel and metals market creates natural synergies between flatbed and van freight. Carriers who deliver raw steel coils to stamping plants can often backhaul finished automotive parts to assembly plants in Detroit, Toledo, or Ontario — a loop that keeps utilization above 90%.”
Destination
Philadelphia, PA
- Metro Population
- 6.2M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95, I-76, I-476
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Philadelphia Terminal; CSX Greenwich Yard; PhilaPort Packer Avenue Marine Terminal
- Port Access
- PhilaPort — Port of Philadelphia (Delaware River, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Northeast Philadelphia/I-95 Corridor, King of Prussia/I-76 West, South Jersey/I-295 (Camden-Gloucester)
“PhilaPort's concentration in perishable imports creates a natural reefer freight ecosystem — carriers delivering produce from Central and South America can backhaul pharmaceuticals and processed foods northbound on I-95 or westbound on I-76, maintaining cold chain both ways.”
Return Loads from Philadelphia
Philadelphia generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Cleveland is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Philadelphia
Seasonal Rate Patterns
May-Aug (produce season)
+12-18% on reefer capacity
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Cleveland to Philadelphia Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Cleveland to Philadelphia?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Cleveland, OH to Philadelphia, PA currently range $1,002-$1,235 (roughly $2.17-$2.65 per mile over 466 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $456-$796 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently tight 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 Cleveland to Philadelphia?
Standard FTL transit from Cleveland to Philadelphia is approximately 8 hrs by truck over 466 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 Cleveland to Philadelphia freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Cleveland commonly ships steel products, automotive stampings, industrial chemicals, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Philadelphia commonly receives crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Philadelphia to Cleveland?
Strong backhaul (scored 73/100 based on Philadelphia's outbound commodity mix). Philadelphia generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Cleveland is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Philadelphia's top outbound commodities — refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Cleveland to Philadelphia?
The Cleveland-to-Philadelphia corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Auto Manufacturing Corridor. Cleveland's top outbound commodities include steel products, automotive stampings, industrial chemicals, paint & coatings (Sherwin-Williams), medical devices, polymer products. Philadelphia's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar, vehicles, steel & metals, produce (Latin America). Industries driving this lane include steel & metals and automotive parts from Cleveland and pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining in Philadelphia.
What tolls should I expect on the Cleveland to Philadelphia route?
Expect roughly $26-$43 in tolls round-trip passing through OH, PA. Most rate quotes either include tolls in the line-haul or bill them as a separate pass-through — ask your dispatcher to confirm which model applies to your lane.
When are rates highest on the Cleveland to Philadelphia lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to steel & metals and automotive parts cycles. Key periods: May-Aug (produce season) (+12-18% on reefer capacity); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Mon, Tue, Wed) and avoid Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Cleveland to Philadelphia
We maintain working relationships with 185+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Cleveland–Philadelphia 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