Freight Shipping from Philadelphia to Akron
Ship freight from Philadelphia, PA to Akron, OH with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $957-$1,179, LTL from $445-$778. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
445 mi
Drive Time
8 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$957-$1,179
LTL Rate Est.
$445-$778
Fresh Food Lane
Philadelphia → Akron Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
159–179
running this lane
Weekly Loads
90–109
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
64/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$25–$41 one-way passing through PA, OH. 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.
Philadelphia to Akron Freight Corridor
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.
Akron earned the title "Rubber Capital of the World" — Goodyear's global headquarters still anchors the city's economy, along with a deep cluster of polymer science companies, tire retreaders, and rubber product manufacturers that grew up around the original tire industry. The I-76/I-77 junction makes Akron a natural crossroads between Pittsburgh and Cleveland. The University of Akron's polymer science program ensures a constant pipeline of materials innovation that keeps the city's chemical and advanced materials freight volumes growing.
The Philadelphia-to-Akron corridor spans 445 miles via I-76. This lane connects pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining freight from the Philadelphia market to polymer & rubber manufacturing and advanced materials demand in Akron. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Philadelphia
Philadelphia's economy is driven by pharmaceuticals & biotech, petroleum refining, food processing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
refined petroleum
pharmaceuticals
processed foods
chemicals
medical devices
containerized exports
What Akron Receives
Akron's polymer & rubber manufacturing, advanced materials, healthcare sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Philadelphia.
raw rubber & latex
polymer resins
chemical feedstocks
consumer goods
steel
packaging materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Philadelphia and Akron, 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.
$957-$1,179 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.
$1,179-$1,491 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.
$1,268-$1,624 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,402-$1,891 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Philadelphia to Akron lane (445 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $957-$1,179 | 8 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $445-$778 | 10-12 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,446-$2,003 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Philadelphia and Akron that drive volume on this lane.
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Goodyear Tire & Rubber (HQ)
FirstEnergy (HQ)
Smucker's (Akron bakery)
Shipping Tips for Philadelphia to Akron
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.
Akron Seasonal Advisory
Tire production runs year-round but seasonal tire changeover periods (October-November for winter, March-April for summer) create demand surges. FirstEnergy's utility equipment shipments peak before summer cooling season. Quaker Oats production ramps for back-to-school cereal demand.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 445 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 Philadelphia and Akron — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Philadelphia, PA
- Metro Population
- 6.2M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95, I-76, I-476
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Philadelphia Terminal; CSX Greenwich Yard; PhilaPort Packer Avenue Marine Terminal
- Port Access
- PhilaPort — Port of Philadelphia (Delaware River, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Northeast Philadelphia/I-95 Corridor, King of Prussia/I-76 West, South Jersey/I-295 (Camden-Gloucester)
“PhilaPort's concentration in perishable imports creates a natural reefer freight ecosystem — carriers delivering produce from Central and South America can backhaul pharmaceuticals and processed foods northbound on I-95 or westbound on I-76, maintaining cold chain both ways.”
Destination
Akron, OH
- Metro Population
- 700K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-76, I-77, I-80 (Ohio Turnpike)
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Akron Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- Chapel Hill/I-77, Green/I-77 South, Akron-Canton Airport Industrial
“Tire freight is deceptively challenging — rubber products are lightweight but bulky, meaning carriers cube out before hitting weight limits. Experienced tire haulers use specialized trailer configurations and stacking techniques to maximize load density and revenue per mile.”
Return Loads from Akron
Backhaul from Akron to Philadelphia requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Akron
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Philadelphia to Akron Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Philadelphia to Akron?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Philadelphia, PA to Akron, OH currently range $957-$1,179 (roughly $2.16-$2.67 per mile over 445 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $445-$778 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 Philadelphia to Akron?
Standard FTL transit from Philadelphia to Akron is approximately 8 hrs by truck over 445 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 Philadelphia to Akron freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Philadelphia commonly ships refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Akron commonly receives raw rubber & latex, polymer resins, chemical feedstocks. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Akron to Philadelphia?
Moderate backhaul (scored 64/100 based on Akron's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Akron to Philadelphia requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Akron's top outbound commodities — tires & rubber products, polymer compounds, oats & cereals (Quaker) — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Philadelphia to Akron?
The Philadelphia-to-Akron corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. Philadelphia's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, chemicals, medical devices, containerized exports. Akron's primary inbound freight includes raw rubber & latex, polymer resins, chemical feedstocks, consumer goods, steel, packaging materials. Industries driving this lane include pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining from Philadelphia and polymer & rubber manufacturing and advanced materials in Akron.
What tolls should I expect on the Philadelphia to Akron route?
Expect roughly $25-$41 in tolls round-trip passing through PA, OH. Most rate quotes either include tolls in the line-haul or bill them as a separate pass-through — ask your dispatcher to confirm which model applies to your lane.
When are rates highest on the Philadelphia to Akron lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining 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.
Get Exact Rates for Philadelphia to Akron
We maintain working relationships with 159+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Philadelphia–Akron corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
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