Freight Shipping from Philadelphia to Boston
Ship freight from Philadelphia, PA to Boston, MA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $757-$933, LTL from $394-$699. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
352 mi
Drive Time
6 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$757-$933
LTL Rate Est.
$394-$699
Consumer Goods Corridor
Philadelphia → Boston Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
196–218
running this lane
Weekly Loads
229–241
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
66/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$18–$29 one-way passing through PA, MA. 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 Boston 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.
Boston's freight market is dominated by the biotech and pharmaceutical corridor along the Route 128 belt and Cambridge/Kendall Square. Temperature-controlled pharmaceutical shipments from Moderna, Takeda, and dozens of biotech firms command premium rates and require validated cold-chain documentation. The Port of Boston's Conley Terminal handles 300,000+ TEUs annually but congestion in the Seaport District creates chronic drayage bottlenecks.
The Philadelphia-to-Boston corridor spans 352 miles via I-95. This lane connects pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining freight from the Philadelphia market to biotech & pharmaceuticals and higher education demand in Boston. 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 Boston Receives
Boston's biotech & pharmaceuticals, higher education, financial services sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Philadelphia.
consumer goods
building materials
food & beverage
lab equipment
fuel & heating oil
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Philadelphia and Boston, 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.
$757-$933 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.
$933-$1,179 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.
$1,003-$1,285 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,109-$1,496 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Philadelphia to Boston lane (352 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $757-$933 | 6 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $394-$699 | 8-10 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,144-$1,584 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Philadelphia and Boston that drive volume on this lane.
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Moderna
Raytheon Technologies
Boston Scientific
Shipping Tips for Philadelphia to Boston
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.
Boston Seasonal Advisory
University move-in/move-out season (August-September and May-June) creates a massive surge in household goods and furniture freight. Heating oil tanker demand spikes November through March.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 352 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 Boston — 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
Boston, MA
- Metro Population
- 4.9M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.50-$2.90/mi
- Key Highways
- I-90, I-93, I-95
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Worcester Road Intermodal; Conley Container Terminal
- Port Access
- Port of Boston (Conley Terminal, 3 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- South Boston Waterfront, Route 128/I-95 Belt, Worcester/I-290 Corridor
“Boston is one of the tightest freight markets in the country due to limited warehouse space, strict delivery windows in congested urban areas, and a shortage of parking for 53-foot trailers. Carriers familiar with the city's delivery restrictions command 15-20% premiums over spot rates.”
Return Loads from Boston
Backhaul from Boston to Philadelphia requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Boston
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 Boston Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Philadelphia to Boston?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Philadelphia, PA to Boston, MA currently range $757-$933 (roughly $2.16-$2.65 per mile over 352 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $394-$699 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 Philadelphia to Boston?
Standard FTL transit from Philadelphia to Boston is approximately 6 hrs by truck over 352 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 Boston freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Philadelphia commonly ships refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Boston commonly receives consumer goods, building materials, food & beverage. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Boston to Philadelphia?
Moderate backhaul (scored 66/100 based on Boston's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Boston to Philadelphia requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Boston's top outbound commodities — pharmaceuticals, medical devices, seafood (lobster) — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Philadelphia to Boston?
The Philadelphia-to-Boston corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Philadelphia's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, chemicals, medical devices, containerized exports. Boston's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, building materials, food & beverage, lab equipment, fuel & heating oil, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining from Philadelphia and biotech & pharmaceuticals and higher education in Boston.
When are rates highest on the Philadelphia to Boston 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.
Can freight from Philadelphia to Boston be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 352 miles (6 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Philadelphia-to-Boston 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 Philadelphia to Boston
We maintain working relationships with 196+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Philadelphia–Boston 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