Freight Shipping from Norfolk to Newark
Ship freight from Norfolk, VA to Newark, NJ with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $815-$1,004, LTL from $408-$722. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
379 mi
Drive Time
7 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$815-$1,004
LTL Rate Est.
$408-$722
Auto Manufacturing Corridor
Norfolk → Newark Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
183–199
running this lane
Weekly Loads
229–241
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
71/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$15–$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 Newark 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.
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.
The Norfolk-to-Newark corridor spans 379 miles via I-64, I-264, I-95/NJ Turnpike, I-78. This lane connects military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics freight from the Norfolk market to port logistics & drayage and air cargo demand in Newark. 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 Newark Receives
Newark's port logistics & drayage, air cargo, pharmaceuticals sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Norfolk.
imported containers (all categories)
consumer electronics
apparel & textiles
furniture
automotive parts
food imports
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Norfolk and Newark, 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.
$815-$1,004 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.
$1,080-$1,383 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.
$408-$722 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Norfolk to Newark lane (379 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $815-$1,004 | 7 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $408-$722 | 9-11 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,232-$1,706 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Norfolk and Newark that drive volume on this lane.
Naval Station Norfolk (world's largest naval base)
Huntington Ingalls Industries (Newport News Shipbuilding)
Virginia Port Authority
Maersk (Port Newark)
Amazon EWR Fulfillment
Anheuser-Busch Newark
Shipping Tips for Norfolk to Newark
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.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 379 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 Newark — 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
Newark, NJ
- Metro Population
- 2.0M metro (Newark-Union)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.60-$3.10/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95/NJ Turnpike, I-78, I-280
- Rail / Intermodal
- Port Newark Container Terminal; ExpressRail Elizabeth Intermodal
- Port Access
- Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Elizabeth/Port District, Kearny/Meadowlands, Linden/I-95 South
“Port Newark drayage is a specialized market where chassis availability, terminal turn times, and demurrage/detention charges can make or break profitability. Experienced port truckers who understand terminal gate procedures and chassis pool logistics consistently outperform general freight carriers attempting to enter this market.”
Return Loads from Newark
Newark generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Norfolk is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Newark
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 Newark Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Norfolk to Newark?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Norfolk, VA to Newark, NJ currently range $815-$1,004 (roughly $2.18-$2.66 per mile over 379 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $408-$722 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 Norfolk to Newark?
Standard FTL transit from Norfolk to Newark is approximately 7 hrs by truck over 379 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 Newark freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Norfolk commonly ships containerized exports, coal, soybeans & grain, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Newark commonly receives imported containers (all categories), consumer electronics, apparel & textiles. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Newark to Norfolk?
Strong backhaul (scored 71/100 based on Newark's outbound commodity mix). Newark generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Norfolk is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Newark's top outbound commodities — containerized exports, pharmaceuticals, refined petroleum — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Norfolk to Newark?
The Norfolk-to-Newark corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Auto Manufacturing Corridor. Norfolk's top outbound commodities include containerized exports, coal, soybeans & grain, tobacco, military equipment, forest products. Newark's primary inbound freight includes imported containers (all categories), consumer electronics, apparel & textiles, furniture, automotive parts, food imports. Industries driving this lane include military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics from Norfolk and port logistics & drayage and air cargo in Newark.
When are rates highest on the Norfolk to Newark 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 Newark be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 379 miles (7 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Norfolk-to-Newark 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 Newark
We maintain working relationships with 183+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Norfolk–Newark 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