Freight Shipping from Norfolk to Allentown
Ship freight from Norfolk, VA to Allentown, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $735-$906, LTL from $388-$691. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
342 mi
Drive Time
6 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$735-$906
LTL Rate Est.
$388-$691
Consumer Goods Corridor
Norfolk → Allentown Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
161–176
running this lane
Weekly Loads
88–101
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
62/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$14–$24 one-way passing through VA, PA. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Norfolk to Allentown Freight Corridor
Norfolk is the East Coast's deepest natural harbor and home to the Port of Virginia — the third-largest container port in the U.S. and the only East Coast port with 55-foot channels capable of handling fully loaded ultra-large container vessels at any tide. Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval base, generates enormous military logistics volume. Huntington Ingalls' Newport News Shipyard builds America's aircraft carriers and submarines, creating specialized oversize freight that moves nowhere else in the country.
The Lehigh Valley has exploded into one of the East Coast's premier distribution corridors, with over 100 million square feet of warehouse space concentrated along I-78. The region's position — 80 miles from New York City and 60 miles from Philadelphia — makes it the ideal last-mile staging area for the entire Northeast megalopolis. The former Bethlehem Steel site has been transformed into a 3,000-acre logistics and commerce center, symbolizing the Valley's shift from heavy industry to distribution.
The Norfolk-to-Allentown corridor spans 342 miles via I-64, I-264, I-78, US-22. This lane connects military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics freight from the Norfolk market to logistics & distribution and food processing demand in Allentown. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Norfolk
Norfolk's economy is driven by military & naval operations, port & maritime logistics, shipbuilding, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
containerized exports
coal
soybeans & grain
tobacco
military equipment
forest products
What Allentown Receives
Allentown's logistics & distribution, food processing, healthcare sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Norfolk.
raw materials
consumer goods
food ingredients
packaging materials
imported merchandise
chemicals
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Norfolk and Allentown, 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.
$735-$906 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.
$975-$1,248 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,077-$1,454 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.
$388-$691 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Norfolk to Allentown lane (342 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $735-$906 | 6 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $388-$691 | 8-10 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,112-$1,539 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Norfolk and Allentown that drive volume on this lane.
Naval Station Norfolk (world's largest naval base)
Huntington Ingalls Industries (Newport News Shipbuilding)
Virginia Port Authority
FedEx Ground (regional hub)
Amazon ABE Fulfillment
Utz Brands (Hanover)
Shipping Tips for Norfolk to Allentown
Norfolk Seasonal Advisory
Import container volumes peak August through November during retail peak season. Coal exports fluctuate with global energy demand and Asian steel production. Military freight is steady year-round but surges during deployment cycles and fleet maintenance periods.
Allentown Seasonal Advisory
E-commerce fulfillment drives a massive Q4 surge — Amazon and FedEx Ground ramp seasonal staffing and truck volume by 40-60% from October through December. Cement and construction material shipments peak March through November.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 342 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 Norfolk and Allentown — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Norfolk, VA
- Metro Population
- 1.8M metro (Hampton Roads)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-64, I-264, I-664
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk International Terminals (NIT); Virginia Inland Port (Front Royal); Norfolk Southern Lamberts Point Coal Terminal
- Port Access
- Port of Virginia — Norfolk (Chesapeake Bay/Atlantic, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Chesapeake/I-64 South, Suffolk/US-58 West, Portsmouth/I-264 Corridor
“The Port of Virginia's inland port network extends the port's reach 220 miles west to Front Royal via daily Norfolk Southern rail service, allowing containers to clear customs inland and reducing drayage congestion. Carriers who serve the inland port system access loads that bypass the congested Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel entirely.”
Destination
Allentown, PA
- Metro Population
- 860K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.00-$2.35/mi
- Key Highways
- I-78, US-22, I-476
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Bethlehem Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- Lehigh Valley Industrial Park (I-78), Upper Macungie Township, Bethlehem Commerce Center (former Steel site)
“Lehigh Valley's warehouse density means carriers can almost always find backhaul loads within 15 minutes of any delivery. The I-78 corridor between Allentown and the New Jersey ports functions as a continuous conveyor belt of import deconsolidation freight.”
Return Loads from Allentown
Backhaul from Allentown to Norfolk requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Allentown
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Norfolk to Allentown Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Norfolk to Allentown?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Norfolk, VA to Allentown, PA currently range $735-$906 (roughly $2.16-$2.65 per mile over 342 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $388-$691 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced 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 Norfolk to Allentown?
Standard FTL transit from Norfolk to Allentown is approximately 6 hrs by truck over 342 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 Norfolk to Allentown freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Norfolk commonly ships containerized exports, coal, soybeans & grain, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Allentown commonly receives raw materials, consumer goods, food ingredients. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Allentown to Norfolk?
Moderate backhaul (scored 62/100 based on Allentown's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Allentown to Norfolk requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Allentown's top outbound commodities — consumer packaged goods, cement & concrete products, processed foods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Norfolk to Allentown?
The Norfolk-to-Allentown corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Norfolk's top outbound commodities include containerized exports, coal, soybeans & grain, tobacco, military equipment, forest products. Allentown's primary inbound freight includes raw materials, consumer goods, food ingredients, packaging materials, imported merchandise, chemicals. Industries driving this lane include military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics from Norfolk and logistics & distribution and food processing in Allentown.
When are rates highest on the Norfolk to Allentown lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Can freight from Norfolk to Allentown be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 342 miles (6 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Norfolk-to-Allentown 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 5 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Norfolk to Allentown
We maintain working relationships with 161+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Norfolk–Allentown 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