Freight Shipping from Lincoln to Philadelphia
Ship freight from Lincoln, NE to Philadelphia, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $3,165-$3,901, LTL from $1,010-$1,651. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,472 mi
Drive Time
27 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$3,165-$3,901
LTL Rate Est.
$1,010-$1,651
Lincoln to Philadelphia Freight Corridor
Lincoln sits on the I-80 corridor 55 miles southwest of Omaha, serving as Nebraska's state capital and a secondary distribution hub. Kawasaki's manufacturing plant produces ATVs, rail cars, and jet skis, creating a unique mix of oversize and consumer product freight. Purina's pet food facility generates steady outbound reefer and dry van volume year-round.
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 Lincoln-to-Philadelphia corridor spans 1,472 miles via I-80, US-77, I-95, I-76. This lane connects government (state capital) and higher education freight from the Lincoln 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 Lincoln
Lincoln's economy is driven by government (state capital), higher education, food processing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
processed foods
pet food (Purina)
agricultural equipment
corn & grain
ethanol
printed materials
What Philadelphia Receives
Philadelphia's pharmaceuticals & biotech, petroleum refining, food processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Lincoln.
crude oil
containerized imports
cocoa beans & sugar
vehicles
steel & metals
produce (Latin America)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Lincoln 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.
$3,165-$3,901 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.
$3,901-$4,931 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.
$4,195-$5,373 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$4,637-$6,256 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Lincoln to Philadelphia lane (1,472 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $3,165-$3,901 | 27 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,010-$1,651 | 29-31 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $4,784-$6,624 | 18 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,987-$2,723 | 30-32 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Lincoln and Philadelphia that drive volume on this lane.
Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing
Purina (Nestle)
Windstream Communications
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Shipping Tips for Lincoln to Philadelphia
Lincoln Seasonal Advisory
University of Nebraska football season (September-November) creates weekend freight congestion and hotel shortages that affect carrier scheduling. Harvest season brings the same grain truck competition seen across all Nebraska markets.
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.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,472 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 27 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
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.
Lincoln to Philadelphia Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Lincoln to Philadelphia?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Lincoln, NE to Philadelphia, PA currently range from $3,165-$3,901 for a standard dry van load over the 1,472-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $1,010-$1,651 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 Lincoln to Philadelphia?
Standard FTL transit from Lincoln to Philadelphia is approximately 27 hrs by truck over 1,472 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 Lincoln to Philadelphia freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Lincoln commonly ships processed foods, pet food (Purina), agricultural equipment, 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 Lincoln?
Yes. Philadelphia is a strong outbound market shipping refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods. Carriers returning from Philadelphia to Lincoln can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Lincoln-to-Philadelphia lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Lincoln to Philadelphia?
The Lincoln-to-Philadelphia corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Lincoln's top outbound commodities include processed foods, pet food (Purina), agricultural equipment, corn & grain, ethanol, printed 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 government (state capital) and higher education from Lincoln and pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining in Philadelphia.
Get Exact Rates for Lincoln to Philadelphia
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