Freight Shipping from Newark to Philadelphia
Ship freight from Newark, NJ to Philadelphia, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $211-$260, LTL from $254-$483. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
98 mi
Drive Time
2 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$211-$260
LTL Rate Est.
$254-$483
Newark to Philadelphia 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.
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 Newark-to-Philadelphia corridor spans 98 miles via I-95/NJ Turnpike, I-78, I-95, I-76. This lane connects port logistics & drayage and air cargo freight from the Newark 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 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 Philadelphia Receives
Philadelphia's pharmaceuticals & biotech, petroleum refining, food processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Newark.
crude oil
containerized imports
cocoa beans & sugar
vehicles
steel & metals
produce (Latin America)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Newark 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.
$211-$260 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.
$260-$328 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.
$279-$358 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$309-$417 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Newark to Philadelphia lane (98 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $211-$260 | 2 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $254-$483 | 4-6 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $319-$441 | 1 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Newark and Philadelphia that drive volume on this lane.
Maersk (Port Newark)
Amazon EWR Fulfillment
Anheuser-Busch Newark
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Shipping Tips for Newark to Philadelphia
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.
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 98 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.
Newark to Philadelphia Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Newark to Philadelphia?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Newark, NJ to Philadelphia, PA currently range from $211-$260 for a standard dry van load over the 98-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $254-$483 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 Philadelphia?
Standard FTL transit from Newark to Philadelphia is approximately 2 hrs by truck over 98 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%.
What equipment do I need for Newark to Philadelphia freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Newark commonly ships containerized exports, pharmaceuticals, refined petroleum, 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 Newark?
Yes. Philadelphia is a strong outbound market shipping refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods. Carriers returning from Philadelphia to Newark can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Newark-to-Philadelphia lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Newark to Philadelphia?
The Newark-to-Philadelphia corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Newark's top outbound commodities include containerized exports, pharmaceuticals, refined petroleum, chemicals, food products, e-commerce returns. Philadelphia's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar, vehicles, steel & metals, produce (Latin America). Industries driving this lane include port logistics & drayage and air cargo from Newark and pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining in Philadelphia.
Get Exact Rates for Newark to Philadelphia
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