Freight Shipping from Newark to Joliet
Ship freight from Newark, NJ to Joliet, IL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,027-$2,499, LTL from $719-$1,202. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
943 mi
Drive Time
17 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,027-$2,499
LTL Rate Est.
$719-$1,202
Newark to Joliet Freight Corridor
Newark is the epicenter of East Coast container freight, with Port Newark-Elizabeth handling 8+ million TEUs annually as the busiest port on the Atlantic seaboard. The drayage market from the port terminals to regional distribution centers is one of the highest-volume, most competitive trucking segments in the nation. Newark Liberty Airport adds significant air cargo volume, making this one of the densest multimodal freight zones in the world.
Joliet and its surrounding Will County communities sit atop the most concentrated intermodal and distribution infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere. The CenterPoint Intermodal Center, spanning over 6,000 acres, combines UP's Global IV facility with over 30 million square feet of distribution space occupied by Walmart, Amazon, IKEA, and dozens of other major shippers. This is where West Coast container imports transition from rail to truck for final-mile delivery across the Midwest and Northeast.
The Newark-to-Joliet corridor spans 943 miles via I-95/NJ Turnpike, I-78, I-80, I-55. This lane connects port logistics & drayage and air cargo freight from the Newark market to intermodal logistics and warehousing & distribution demand in Joliet. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Newark
Newark's economy is driven by port logistics & drayage, air cargo, pharmaceuticals, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
containerized exports
pharmaceuticals
refined petroleum
chemicals
food products
e-commerce returns
What Joliet Receives
Joliet's intermodal logistics, warehousing & distribution, e-commerce fulfillment sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Newark.
containerized imports (from West Coast)
raw materials
food products
retail merchandise
industrial supplies
automotive components
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Newark and Joliet, 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.
$2,027-$2,499 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.
$2,499-$3,159 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,970-$4,008 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.
$719-$1,202 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Newark to Joliet lane (943 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,027-$2,499 | 17 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $719-$1,202 | 19-21 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,065-$4,244 | 11 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,273-$1,745 | 20-22 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Newark and Joliet that drive volume on this lane.
Maersk (Port Newark)
Amazon EWR Fulfillment
Anheuser-Busch Newark
Walmart (Elwood Mega-DC)
Amazon (CenterPoint)
IKEA Distribution
Shipping Tips for Newark to Joliet
Newark Seasonal Advisory
Import volumes peak August through October as retailers stock for the holiday season, creating severe chassis shortages and 3-5 day terminal wait times. Post-Lunar New Year (February-March) brings a second surge as Asian factories resume production.
Joliet Seasonal Advisory
Q4 holiday freight creates near-gridlock conditions on I-80 and I-55 as intermodal volume peaks. January sees a dramatic drop-off. Spring produce season restocks create a secondary peak in March-April.
Overnight Transit
This 943-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.
Newark to Joliet Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Newark to Joliet?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Newark, NJ to Joliet, IL currently range from $2,027-$2,499 for a standard dry van load over the 943-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $719-$1,202 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 Newark to Joliet?
Standard FTL transit from Newark to Joliet is approximately 17 hrs by truck over 943 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 Newark to Joliet freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Newark commonly ships containerized exports, pharmaceuticals, refined petroleum, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Joliet commonly receives containerized imports (from West Coast), raw materials, food products. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Joliet to Newark?
Yes. Joliet is a strong outbound market shipping redistributed consumer goods, intermodal containers, packaged foods. Carriers returning from Joliet to Newark can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Newark-to-Joliet lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Newark to Joliet?
The Newark-to-Joliet corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Newark's top outbound commodities include containerized exports, pharmaceuticals, refined petroleum, chemicals, food products, e-commerce returns. Joliet's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (from West Coast), raw materials, food products, retail merchandise, industrial supplies, automotive components. Industries driving this lane include port logistics & drayage and air cargo from Newark and intermodal logistics and warehousing & distribution in Joliet.
Get Exact Rates for Newark to Joliet
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