Freight Shipping from Lehigh Valley to Philadelphia
Ship freight from Lehigh Valley, PA to Philadelphia, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $133-$164, LTL from $234-$453. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
62 mi
Drive Time
1 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$133-$164
LTL Rate Est.
$234-$453
Fresh Food Lane
Lehigh Valley → Philadelphia Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
157–180
running this lane
Weekly Loads
88–108
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
64/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$4–$7 one-way passing through PA. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Mon, Tue, Wed. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Lehigh Valley to Philadelphia 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.
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 Lehigh Valley-to-Philadelphia corridor spans 62 miles via I-78, I-476 (PA Turnpike NE Extension), I-95, I-76. This lane connects e-commerce fulfillment and food processing freight from the Lehigh Valley 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 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 Philadelphia Receives
Philadelphia's pharmaceuticals & biotech, petroleum refining, food processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Lehigh Valley.
crude oil
containerized imports
cocoa beans & sugar
vehicles
steel & metals
produce (Latin America)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Lehigh Valley 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.
$133-$164 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.
$164-$208 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.
$177-$226 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$195-$264 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Lehigh Valley to Philadelphia lane (62 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $133-$164 | 1 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $234-$453 | 3-5 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $202-$279 | 1 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon ABE Fulfillment Network (multiple)
FedEx Ground (Hub)
Crayola (Easton)
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Shipping Tips for Lehigh Valley to Philadelphia
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.
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 62 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 Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia — 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
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
Backhaul from Philadelphia to Lehigh Valley requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Philadelphia
Seasonal Rate Patterns
May-Aug (produce season)
+12-18% on reefer capacity
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 Philadelphia Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Lehigh Valley to Philadelphia?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Lehigh Valley, PA to Philadelphia, PA currently range $133-$164 (roughly $2.15-$2.67 per mile over 62 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $234-$453 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 Lehigh Valley to Philadelphia?
Standard FTL transit from Lehigh Valley to Philadelphia is approximately 1 hrs by truck over 62 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 Lehigh Valley to Philadelphia 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. 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 Lehigh Valley?
Moderate backhaul (scored 64/100 based on Philadelphia's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Philadelphia to Lehigh Valley requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Philadelphia's top outbound commodities — refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Lehigh Valley to Philadelphia?
The Lehigh Valley-to-Philadelphia corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. Lehigh Valley's top outbound commodities include e-commerce shipments, processed foods, cement & concrete products, pharmaceutical products, consumer goods, building materials. Philadelphia's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar, vehicles, steel & metals, produce (Latin America). Industries driving this lane include e-commerce fulfillment and food processing from Lehigh Valley and pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining in Philadelphia.
When are rates highest on the Lehigh Valley to Philadelphia lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to e-commerce fulfillment and food processing cycles. Key periods: May-Aug (produce season) (+12-18% on reefer capacity); 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 (Mon, Tue, Wed) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Can freight from Lehigh Valley to Philadelphia be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 62 miles (1 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Lehigh Valley-to-Philadelphia 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 1 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Lehigh Valley to Philadelphia
We maintain working relationships with 157+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Lehigh Valley–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