Freight Shipping from Lehigh Valley to Atlanta
Ship freight from Lehigh Valley, PA to Atlanta, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,918-$2,364, LTL from $691-$1,158. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
892 mi
Drive Time
16 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,918-$2,364
LTL Rate Est.
$691-$1,158
Auto Manufacturing Corridor
Lehigh Valley → Atlanta Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
128–148
running this lane
Weekly Loads
87–105
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
63/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$18–$30 one-way passing through PA, GA, TN, KY, VA, OH, SC, NC. 2 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Lehigh Valley to Atlanta Freight Corridor
The Lehigh Valley has transformed from its steel-era roots into one of the East Coast's premier e-commerce fulfillment corridors. Amazon operates multiple fulfillment centers here, FedEx runs a major ground hub, and over 50 million square feet of warehouse space has been built in the past decade along the I-78 corridor. The valley's position — 90 minutes from both New York City and Philadelphia — makes it the ideal one-day ground shipping point for the entire Northeast megalopolis. Crayola's Easton factory and B. Braun Medical's North American headquarters add manufacturing diversity.
Atlanta is the freight crossroads of the Southeast and arguably the most balanced truck market in the country. The convergence of I-75, I-85, and I-20 creates a natural hub where carriers can find loads heading in virtually any direction within hours. UPS and The Home Depot both headquarter their logistics operations here, contributing to a freight ecosystem so dense that the metro has more warehouse space than most states. Norfolk Southern and CSX both maintain major intermodal operations, making Atlanta the rail freight capital of the Southeast.
The Lehigh Valley-to-Atlanta corridor spans 892 miles via I-78, I-476 (PA Turnpike NE Extension), I-75, I-85. This lane connects e-commerce fulfillment and food processing freight from the Lehigh Valley market to logistics & distribution and film & entertainment demand in Atlanta. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Lehigh Valley
Lehigh Valley's economy is driven by e-commerce fulfillment, food processing, healthcare, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
e-commerce shipments
processed foods
cement & concrete products
pharmaceutical products
consumer goods
building materials
What Atlanta Receives
Atlanta's logistics & distribution, film & entertainment, financial technology sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Lehigh Valley.
consumer goods
construction materials
automotive parts
electronics
food ingredients
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Lehigh Valley and Atlanta, 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.
$1,918-$2,364 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.
$2,542-$3,256 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.
$691-$1,158 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Lehigh Valley to Atlanta lane (892 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,918-$2,364 | 16 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $691-$1,158 | 18-20 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,899-$4,014 | 11 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,204-$1,650 | 19-21 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Lehigh Valley and Atlanta that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon ABE Fulfillment Network (multiple)
FedEx Ground (Hub)
Crayola (Easton)
The Home Depot (HQ)
UPS (HQ)
Coca-Cola (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Lehigh Valley to Atlanta
Lehigh Valley Seasonal Advisory
E-commerce fulfillment peaks dramatically during Q4 holidays (October-December), with Amazon and FedEx running at maximum capacity. Construction-grade cement from local quarries peaks spring through fall. B. Braun medical supply shipments are steady year-round.
Atlanta Seasonal Advisory
Home improvement freight (Home Depot's supply chain) peaks March through June. Carpet shipments from the Dalton mills 90 miles north run heaviest in spring and fall. Coca-Cola distribution spikes ahead of summer and holiday seasons.
Overnight Transit
This 892-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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Lehigh Valley and Atlanta — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Lehigh Valley, PA
- Metro Population
- 870K metro (Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-78, I-476 (PA Turnpike NE Extension), US-22
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Bethlehem Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- Upper Macungie/I-78 West, Bethlehem/I-78 East, Forks Township/US-22
“The Lehigh Valley is arguably the best backhaul market in the Northeast. With so many fulfillment centers concentrated along I-78, carriers delivering inbound inventory can almost always find outbound e-commerce loads heading to distribution points across the eastern seaboard.”
Destination
Atlanta, GA
- Metro Population
- 6.1M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.20-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-75, I-85, I-20
- Rail / Intermodal
- NS Inman Yard; CSX Fairburn Intermodal; NS Austell Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- South Atlanta/I-75 (McDonough/Locust Grove), West Atlanta/I-20 (Douglasville/Lithia Springs), Northeast/I-85 (Braselton/Jefferson)
“Atlanta's I-285 perimeter loop is the single most important freight route in the Southeast. Carriers who understand the clockwise vs. counterclockwise traffic patterns and time their crosstown runs to avoid the I-285/I-85 Spaghetti Junction can save 45-90 minutes per delivery.”
Return Loads from Atlanta
Backhaul from Atlanta to Lehigh Valley requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Atlanta
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Lehigh Valley to Atlanta Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Lehigh Valley to Atlanta?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Lehigh Valley, PA to Atlanta, GA currently range $1,918-$2,364 (roughly $2.16-$2.65 per mile over 892 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $691-$1,158 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 Lehigh Valley to Atlanta?
Standard FTL transit from Lehigh Valley to Atlanta is approximately 16 hrs by truck over 892 miles, with 2 typical fuel stops 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service via Norfolk Southern Bethlehem Intermodal to NS Inman Yard takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Lehigh Valley to Atlanta freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Lehigh Valley commonly ships e-commerce shipments, processed foods, cement & concrete products, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Atlanta commonly receives consumer goods, construction materials, automotive parts. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Atlanta to Lehigh Valley?
Moderate backhaul (scored 63/100 based on Atlanta's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Atlanta to Lehigh Valley requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Atlanta's top outbound commodities — automobiles (Kia), poultry products, soft drinks & beverages — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Lehigh Valley to Atlanta?
The Lehigh Valley-to-Atlanta corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Auto Manufacturing Corridor. Lehigh Valley's top outbound commodities include e-commerce shipments, processed foods, cement & concrete products, pharmaceutical products, consumer goods, building materials. Atlanta's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, construction materials, automotive parts, electronics, food ingredients, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include e-commerce fulfillment and food processing from Lehigh Valley and logistics & distribution and film & entertainment in Atlanta.
When are rates highest on the Lehigh Valley to Atlanta lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to e-commerce fulfillment and food processing cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Lehigh Valley to Atlanta
We maintain working relationships with 128+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Lehigh Valley–Atlanta 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