Freight Shipping from New York City to Philadelphia
Ship freight from New York City, NY to Philadelphia, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $226-$278, LTL from $258-$489. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
105 mi
Drive Time
2 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$226-$278
LTL Rate Est.
$258-$489
Energy & Chemicals Route
New York City → Philadelphia Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
186–203
running this lane
Weekly Loads
230–250
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
62/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$7–$11 one-way passing through NY, 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.
New York City to Philadelphia Freight Corridor
New York City is the largest consumer freight market in the Western Hemisphere, with 20+ million metro residents requiring over 1 billion pounds of food per week alone. Hunts Point Market in the Bronx is the world's largest wholesale produce, meat, and fish distribution center. The city's extreme density, bridge and tunnel tolls, and strict delivery-hour regulations make NYC the most challenging — and highest-paying — last-mile delivery market in the country.
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 New York City-to-Philadelphia corridor spans 105 miles via I-95. This lane connects financial services and media & publishing freight from the New York City 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 New York City
New York City's economy is driven by financial services, media & publishing, fashion & apparel, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
printed materials
fashion & apparel
financial documents
media equipment
recycled materials
food products
What Philadelphia Receives
Philadelphia's pharmaceuticals & biotech, petroleum refining, food processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like New York City.
crude oil
containerized imports
cocoa beans & sugar
vehicles
steel & metals
produce (Latin America)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between New York City 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.
$226-$278 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.
$278-$352 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.
$299-$383 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$331-$446 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the New York City to Philadelphia lane (105 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $226-$278 | 2 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $258-$489 | 4-6 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $341-$473 | 1 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both New York City and Philadelphia that drive volume on this lane.
Hunts Point Produce Market
FreshDirect
Amazon NYC Fulfillment
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Shipping Tips for New York City to Philadelphia
New York City Seasonal Advisory
Holiday season (November-December) overwhelms the city's limited loading dock capacity, with delivery appointment wait times exceeding 6 hours at major retailers. Restaurant supply freight surges during summer outdoor dining season (May-September).
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 105 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 New York City and Philadelphia — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
New York City, NY
- Metro Population
- 20.1M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.70-$3.20/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95, I-278 (BQE), I-495 (LIE)
- Rail / Intermodal
- Howland Hook Marine Terminal (Staten Island); Red Hook Container Terminal (Brooklyn)
- Port Access
- Port of New York (multiple terminals across 5 boroughs)
- Warehouse Districts
- Hunts Point/South Bronx, Red Hook/Sunset Park (Brooklyn), Maspeth/Long Island City (Queens)
“NYC has some of the most restrictive commercial vehicle regulations in the nation — overnight delivery curfews, bridge height and weight limits, and mandatory off-peak delivery programs in Manhattan. Carriers who master these rules earn significant premiums, while those who don't face $500+ fines per violation.”
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 New York City 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
New York City to Philadelphia Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from New York City to Philadelphia?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from New York City, NY to Philadelphia, PA currently range $226-$278 (roughly $2.16-$2.67 per mile over 105 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $258-$489 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 New York City to Philadelphia?
Standard FTL transit from New York City to Philadelphia is approximately 2 hrs by truck over 105 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 New York City to Philadelphia freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. New York City commonly ships printed materials, fashion & apparel, financial documents, 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 New York City?
Moderate backhaul (scored 62/100 based on Philadelphia's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Philadelphia to New York City 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 New York City to Philadelphia?
The New York City-to-Philadelphia corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Energy & Chemicals Route. New York City's top outbound commodities include printed materials, fashion & apparel, financial documents, media equipment, recycled materials, food products. Philadelphia's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar, vehicles, steel & metals, produce (Latin America). Industries driving this lane include financial services and media & publishing from New York City and pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining in Philadelphia.
When are rates highest on the New York City to Philadelphia lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to financial services and media & publishing 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 New York City to Philadelphia be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 105 miles (2 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the New York City-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 2 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for New York City to Philadelphia
We maintain working relationships with 186+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the New York City–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