Freight Shipping from Philadelphia to Allentown
Ship freight from Philadelphia, PA to Allentown, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $135-$167, LTL from $235-$454. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
63 mi
Drive Time
1 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$135-$167
LTL Rate Est.
$235-$454
Philadelphia to Allentown 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.
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 Philadelphia-to-Allentown corridor spans 63 miles via I-476. This lane connects pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining freight from the Philadelphia 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 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 Allentown Receives
Allentown's logistics & distribution, food processing, healthcare sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Philadelphia.
raw materials
consumer goods
food ingredients
packaging materials
imported merchandise
chemicals
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Philadelphia 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.
$135-$167 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.
$167-$211 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$198-$268 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.
$235-$454 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Philadelphia to Allentown lane (63 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $135-$167 | 1 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $235-$454 | 3-5 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $205-$284 | 1 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Philadelphia and Allentown that drive volume on this lane.
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
FedEx Ground (regional hub)
Amazon ABE Fulfillment
Utz Brands (Hanover)
Shipping Tips for Philadelphia to Allentown
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.
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 63 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.
Philadelphia to Allentown Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Philadelphia to Allentown?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Philadelphia, PA to Allentown, PA currently range from $135-$167 for a standard dry van load over the 63-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $235-$454 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 Philadelphia to Allentown?
Standard FTL transit from Philadelphia to Allentown is approximately 1 hrs by truck over 63 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 Philadelphia to Allentown freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Philadelphia commonly ships refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, 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 Philadelphia?
Yes. Allentown is a strong outbound market shipping consumer packaged goods, cement & concrete products, processed foods. Carriers returning from Allentown to Philadelphia can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Philadelphia-to-Allentown lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Philadelphia to Allentown?
The Philadelphia-to-Allentown corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Philadelphia's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, chemicals, medical devices, containerized exports. Allentown's primary inbound freight includes raw materials, consumer goods, food ingredients, packaging materials, imported merchandise, chemicals. Industries driving this lane include pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining from Philadelphia and logistics & distribution and food processing in Allentown.
Get Exact Rates for Philadelphia to Allentown
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