Freight Shipping from Lancaster to Philadelphia
Ship freight from Lancaster, PA to Philadelphia, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $170-$209, LTL from $243-$467. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
79 mi
Drive Time
1 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$170-$209
LTL Rate Est.
$243-$467
Lancaster to Philadelphia Freight Corridor
Lancaster County is the agricultural powerhouse of the Mid-Atlantic, producing more food per acre than almost any county in the eastern United States. The dairy, poultry, and produce operations generate steady reefer freight demand, while Turkey Hill Dairy and Perdue Farms maintain large-scale processing facilities requiring daily outbound distribution. Armstrong Flooring's manufacturing presence adds a significant dry van and flatbed component to the freight mix.
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 Lancaster-to-Philadelphia corridor spans 79 miles via US-30, US-222, I-95, I-76. This lane connects agriculture & food processing and tourism freight from the Lancaster 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 Lancaster
Lancaster's economy is driven by agriculture & food processing, tourism, manufacturing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
dairy products
poultry & eggs
tobacco
processed meats
building materials
agricultural equipment
What Philadelphia Receives
Philadelphia's pharmaceuticals & biotech, petroleum refining, food processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Lancaster.
crude oil
containerized imports
cocoa beans & sugar
vehicles
steel & metals
produce (Latin America)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Lancaster 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.
$170-$209 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.
$209-$265 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.
$225-$288 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$249-$336 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Lancaster to Philadelphia lane (79 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $170-$209 | 1 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $243-$467 | 3-5 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $257-$356 | 1 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Lancaster and Philadelphia that drive volume on this lane.
Turkey Hill Dairy
Perdue Farms
Armstrong Flooring
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Shipping Tips for Lancaster to Philadelphia
Lancaster Seasonal Advisory
Dairy shipments run year-round but peak during summer ice cream season. Produce harvest drives reefer demand from June through October. Tourism season (May-October) increases local delivery volumes for the Amish Country hospitality industry.
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 79 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.
Lancaster to Philadelphia Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Lancaster to Philadelphia?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Lancaster, PA to Philadelphia, PA currently range from $170-$209 for a standard dry van load over the 79-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $243-$467 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 Lancaster to Philadelphia?
Standard FTL transit from Lancaster to Philadelphia is approximately 1 hrs by truck over 79 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 Lancaster to Philadelphia freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Lancaster commonly ships dairy products, poultry & eggs, tobacco, 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 Lancaster?
Yes. Philadelphia is a strong outbound market shipping refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods. Carriers returning from Philadelphia to Lancaster can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Lancaster-to-Philadelphia lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Lancaster to Philadelphia?
The Lancaster-to-Philadelphia corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Lancaster's top outbound commodities include dairy products, poultry & eggs, tobacco, processed meats, building materials, agricultural equipment. Philadelphia's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar, vehicles, steel & metals, produce (Latin America). Industries driving this lane include agriculture & food processing and tourism from Lancaster and pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining in Philadelphia.
Get Exact Rates for Lancaster to Philadelphia
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Lancaster to Philadelphia lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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