Freight Shipping from Norfolk to Elizabeth
Ship freight from Norfolk, VA to Elizabeth, NJ with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $800-$986, LTL from $405-$716. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
372 mi
Drive Time
7 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$800-$986
LTL Rate Est.
$405-$716
Energy & Chemicals Route
Norfolk → Elizabeth Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
163–184
running this lane
Weekly Loads
84–100
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.66
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, NJ. 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 Elizabeth 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.
Elizabeth is home to the largest container terminal complex in the Port of New York and New Jersey, processing millions of TEUs annually across the APM and Maersk terminals. The ExpressRail on-dock intermodal facility allows containers to move directly from ship to rail without a truck drayage move. Phillips 66's Bayway Refinery adds petroleum freight volume, while IKEA's massive distribution center serves the entire Northeast.
The Norfolk-to-Elizabeth corridor spans 372 miles via I-64, I-264, NJ Turnpike, I-278 (Goethals Bridge). This lane connects military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics freight from the Norfolk market to container port operations and intermodal logistics demand in Elizabeth. 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 Elizabeth Receives
Elizabeth's container port operations, intermodal logistics, petroleum refining sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Norfolk.
imported containers
crude oil
consumer electronics
apparel
furniture & home goods
automotive parts
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Norfolk and Elizabeth, 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.
$800-$986 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.
$1,060-$1,358 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,172-$1,581 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.
$405-$716 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Norfolk to Elizabeth lane (372 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $800-$986 | 7 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $405-$716 | 9-11 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,209-$1,674 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Norfolk and Elizabeth that drive volume on this lane.
Naval Station Norfolk (world's largest naval base)
Huntington Ingalls Industries (Newport News Shipbuilding)
Virginia Port Authority
APM Terminals (Elizabeth)
IKEA Elizabeth DC
Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery
Shipping Tips for Norfolk to Elizabeth
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.
Elizabeth Seasonal Advisory
Peak import season (August-October) can extend vessel wait times to 5-7 days at anchor, cascading into terminal congestion and chassis shortages that ripple through the entire regional freight market.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 372 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 Elizabeth — 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
Elizabeth, NJ
- Metro Population
- 137K city (Union County 575K)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.55-$3.00/mi
- Key Highways
- NJ Turnpike, I-278 (Goethals Bridge), US-1/9
- Rail / Intermodal
- ExpressRail Elizabeth; APM Elizabeth Marine Terminal
- Port Access
- Elizabeth Marine Terminal (Port of NY/NJ, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Elizabeth Port District, Linden/Tremley Point
“Elizabeth's port terminals operate 24/7 with gate reservations becoming increasingly mandatory. Carriers who invest in port-specific technology (terminal appointment systems, chassis tracking apps) gain a significant efficiency advantage over those navigating the system manually.”
Return Loads from Elizabeth
Backhaul from Elizabeth to Norfolk requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Elizabeth
Seasonal Rate Patterns
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
Norfolk to Elizabeth Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Norfolk to Elizabeth?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Norfolk, VA to Elizabeth, NJ currently range $800-$986 (roughly $2.17-$2.66 per mile over 372 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $405-$716 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 Elizabeth?
Standard FTL transit from Norfolk to Elizabeth is approximately 7 hrs by truck over 372 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 Elizabeth freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Norfolk commonly ships containerized exports, coal, soybeans & grain, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Elizabeth commonly receives imported containers, crude oil, consumer electronics. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Elizabeth to Norfolk?
Moderate backhaul (scored 62/100 based on Elizabeth's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Elizabeth to Norfolk requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Elizabeth's top outbound commodities — re-exported containers, refined petroleum, chemicals — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Norfolk to Elizabeth?
The Norfolk-to-Elizabeth corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Energy & Chemicals Route. Norfolk's top outbound commodities include containerized exports, coal, soybeans & grain, tobacco, military equipment, forest products. Elizabeth's primary inbound freight includes imported containers, crude oil, consumer electronics, apparel, furniture & home goods, automotive parts. Industries driving this lane include military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics from Norfolk and container port operations and intermodal logistics in Elizabeth.
When are rates highest on the Norfolk to Elizabeth 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); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); 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 Elizabeth be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 372 miles (7 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Norfolk-to-Elizabeth 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 6 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Norfolk to Elizabeth
We maintain working relationships with 163+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Norfolk–Elizabeth 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