Freight Shipping from Elizabeth to Baltimore
Ship freight from Elizabeth, NJ to Baltimore, MD with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $443-$546, LTL from $313-$575. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
206 mi
Drive Time
4 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$443-$546
LTL Rate Est.
$313-$575
Energy & Chemicals Route
Elizabeth → Baltimore Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
155–176
running this lane
Weekly Loads
83–100
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
62/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$9–$15 one-way passing through NJ, MD. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Elizabeth to Baltimore Freight Corridor
Elizabeth is home to the largest container terminal complex in the Port of New York and New Jersey, processing millions of TEUs annually across the APM and Maersk terminals. The ExpressRail on-dock intermodal facility allows containers to move directly from ship to rail without a truck drayage move. Phillips 66's Bayway Refinery adds petroleum freight volume, while IKEA's massive distribution center serves the entire Northeast.
Baltimore's Port is the nation's top auto import hub, processing over 800,000 vehicles annually through its ro-ro terminals at Dundalk and Fairfield. Tradepoint Atlantic, the redeveloped Sparrows Point steel mill site, has become a 3,300-acre logistics campus attracting Amazon, FedEx, and Under Armour distribution operations. The I-95 corridor gives carriers direct access to the entire Northeast megalopolis.
The Elizabeth-to-Baltimore corridor spans 206 miles via NJ Turnpike, I-278 (Goethals Bridge), I-95, I-695. This lane connects container port operations and intermodal logistics freight from the Elizabeth market to port logistics and biotech & pharmaceuticals demand in Baltimore. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Elizabeth
Elizabeth's economy is driven by container port operations, intermodal logistics, petroleum refining, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
re-exported containers
refined petroleum
chemicals
scrap metal
food products
recycled materials
What Baltimore Receives
Baltimore's port logistics, biotech & pharmaceuticals, automotive import/export sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Elizabeth.
imported vehicles
containerized goods
farm equipment
crude sugar
gypsum
roll-on/roll-off cargo
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Elizabeth and Baltimore, 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.
$443-$546 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$649-$876 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.
$313-$575 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Elizabeth to Baltimore lane (206 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $443-$546 | 4 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $313-$575 | 6-8 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $670-$927 | 2 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Elizabeth and Baltimore that drive volume on this lane.
APM Terminals (Elizabeth)
IKEA Elizabeth DC
Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery
Under Armour
McCormick & Company
Amazon BWI Fulfillment
Shipping Tips for Elizabeth to Baltimore
Elizabeth Seasonal Advisory
Peak import season (August-October) can extend vessel wait times to 5-7 days at anchor, cascading into terminal congestion and chassis shortages that ripple through the entire regional freight market.
Baltimore Seasonal Advisory
Auto import volumes peak in spring as dealers stock for summer selling season. Coal exports through Curtis Bay fluctuate with European energy prices and can spike dramatically during cold winters abroad.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 206 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 Elizabeth and Baltimore — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Elizabeth, NJ
- Metro Population
- 137K city (Union County 575K)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.55-$3.00/mi
- Key Highways
- NJ Turnpike, I-278 (Goethals Bridge), US-1/9
- Rail / Intermodal
- ExpressRail Elizabeth; APM Elizabeth Marine Terminal
- Port Access
- Elizabeth Marine Terminal (Port of NY/NJ, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Elizabeth Port District, Linden/Tremley Point
“Elizabeth's port terminals operate 24/7 with gate reservations becoming increasingly mandatory. Carriers who invest in port-specific technology (terminal appointment systems, chassis tracking apps) gain a significant efficiency advantage over those navigating the system manually.”
Destination
Baltimore, MD
- Metro Population
- 2.8M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95, I-695, I-70
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Baltimore Intermodal (ICTF); Norfolk Southern Bayview Yard
- Port Access
- Port of Baltimore (Helen Delich Bentley, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Sparrows Point/Tradepoint Atlantic, BWI/Linthicum Corridor, White Marsh/I-95 North
“The Port of Baltimore handles more farm and construction equipment than any other U.S. port. Flatbed carriers staging at Dundalk Marine Terminal can often combine a vehicle haul-away with oversize equipment loads, maximizing revenue per trip on the I-95 corridor.”
Return Loads from Baltimore
Backhaul from Baltimore to Elizabeth requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Baltimore
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Elizabeth to Baltimore Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Elizabeth to Baltimore?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Elizabeth, NJ to Baltimore, MD currently range $443-$546 (roughly $2.17-$2.65 per mile over 206 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $313-$575 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced 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 Elizabeth to Baltimore?
Standard FTL transit from Elizabeth to Baltimore is approximately 4 hrs by truck over 206 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 Elizabeth to Baltimore freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Elizabeth commonly ships re-exported containers, refined petroleum, chemicals, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Baltimore commonly receives imported vehicles, containerized goods, farm equipment. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Baltimore to Elizabeth?
Moderate backhaul (scored 62/100 based on Baltimore's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Baltimore to Elizabeth requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Baltimore's top outbound commodities — coal & bulk minerals, automobiles (re-export), poultry products — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Elizabeth to Baltimore?
The Elizabeth-to-Baltimore corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Energy & Chemicals Route. Elizabeth's top outbound commodities include re-exported containers, refined petroleum, chemicals, scrap metal, food products, recycled materials. Baltimore's primary inbound freight includes imported vehicles, containerized goods, farm equipment, crude sugar, gypsum, roll-on/roll-off cargo. Industries driving this lane include container port operations and intermodal logistics from Elizabeth and port logistics and biotech & pharmaceuticals in Baltimore.
When are rates highest on the Elizabeth to Baltimore lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to container port operations and intermodal logistics cycles. Key periods: Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM pickups when possible.
Can freight from Elizabeth to Baltimore be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 206 miles (4 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Elizabeth-to-Baltimore lane in one shift. Same-day delivery requires booking before 9 AM local time at origin and confirming dock availability at destination. Expedited service runs 3 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Elizabeth to Baltimore
We maintain working relationships with 155+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Elizabeth–Baltimore 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