Freight Shipping from Elizabeth to Joliet
Ship freight from Elizabeth, NJ to Joliet, IL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,023-$2,494, LTL from $718-$1,200. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
941 mi
Drive Time
17 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,023-$2,494
LTL Rate Est.
$718-$1,200
Elizabeth to Joliet 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.
Joliet and its surrounding Will County communities sit atop the most concentrated intermodal and distribution infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere. The CenterPoint Intermodal Center, spanning over 6,000 acres, combines UP's Global IV facility with over 30 million square feet of distribution space occupied by Walmart, Amazon, IKEA, and dozens of other major shippers. This is where West Coast container imports transition from rail to truck for final-mile delivery across the Midwest and Northeast.
The Elizabeth-to-Joliet corridor spans 941 miles via NJ Turnpike, I-278 (Goethals Bridge), I-80, I-55. This lane connects container port operations and intermodal logistics freight from the Elizabeth market to intermodal logistics and warehousing & distribution demand in Joliet. 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 Joliet Receives
Joliet's intermodal logistics, warehousing & distribution, e-commerce fulfillment sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Elizabeth.
containerized imports (from West Coast)
raw materials
food products
retail merchandise
industrial supplies
automotive components
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Elizabeth and Joliet, 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.
$2,023-$2,494 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,964-$3,999 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.
$718-$1,200 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Elizabeth to Joliet lane (941 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,023-$2,494 | 17 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $718-$1,200 | 19-21 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,058-$4,235 | 11 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,270-$1,741 | 20-22 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Elizabeth and Joliet that drive volume on this lane.
APM Terminals (Elizabeth)
IKEA Elizabeth DC
Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery
Walmart (Elwood Mega-DC)
Amazon (CenterPoint)
IKEA Distribution
Shipping Tips for Elizabeth to Joliet
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.
Joliet Seasonal Advisory
Q4 holiday freight creates near-gridlock conditions on I-80 and I-55 as intermodal volume peaks. January sees a dramatic drop-off. Spring produce season restocks create a secondary peak in March-April.
Overnight Transit
This 941-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.
Elizabeth to Joliet Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Elizabeth to Joliet?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Elizabeth, NJ to Joliet, IL currently range from $2,023-$2,494 for a standard dry van load over the 941-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $718-$1,200 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 Elizabeth to Joliet?
Standard FTL transit from Elizabeth to Joliet is approximately 17 hrs by truck over 941 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 Elizabeth to Joliet freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Elizabeth commonly ships re-exported containers, refined petroleum, chemicals, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Joliet commonly receives containerized imports (from West Coast), raw materials, food products. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Joliet to Elizabeth?
Yes. Joliet is a strong outbound market shipping redistributed consumer goods, intermodal containers, packaged foods. Carriers returning from Joliet to Elizabeth can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Elizabeth-to-Joliet lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Elizabeth to Joliet?
The Elizabeth-to-Joliet corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Elizabeth's top outbound commodities include re-exported containers, refined petroleum, chemicals, scrap metal, food products, recycled materials. Joliet's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (from West Coast), raw materials, food products, retail merchandise, industrial supplies, automotive components. Industries driving this lane include container port operations and intermodal logistics from Elizabeth and intermodal logistics and warehousing & distribution in Joliet.
Get Exact Rates for Elizabeth to Joliet
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Elizabeth to Joliet lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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