Freight Shipping from Philadelphia to Lancaster
Ship freight from Philadelphia, PA to Lancaster, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $170-$209, LTL from $243-$467. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
79 mi
Drive Time
1 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$170-$209
LTL Rate Est.
$243-$467
Philadelphia to Lancaster 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.
Lancaster County is the agricultural powerhouse of the Mid-Atlantic, producing more food per acre than almost any county in the eastern United States. The dairy, poultry, and produce operations generate steady reefer freight demand, while Turkey Hill Dairy and Perdue Farms maintain large-scale processing facilities requiring daily outbound distribution. Armstrong Flooring's manufacturing presence adds a significant dry van and flatbed component to the freight mix.
The Philadelphia-to-Lancaster corridor spans 79 miles via I-95, I-76, US-30, US-222. This lane connects pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining freight from the Philadelphia market to agriculture & food processing and tourism demand in Lancaster. 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 Lancaster Receives
Lancaster's agriculture & food processing, tourism, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Philadelphia.
animal feed
packaging materials
consumer goods
agricultural inputs
fuel products
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Philadelphia and Lancaster, 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.
$170-$209 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.
$209-$265 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$249-$336 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.
$243-$467 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Philadelphia to Lancaster lane (79 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $170-$209 | 1 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $243-$467 | 3-5 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $257-$356 | 1 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Philadelphia and Lancaster that drive volume on this lane.
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Turkey Hill Dairy
Perdue Farms
Armstrong Flooring
Shipping Tips for Philadelphia to Lancaster
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.
Lancaster Seasonal Advisory
Dairy shipments run year-round but peak during summer ice cream season. Produce harvest drives reefer demand from June through October. Tourism season (May-October) increases local delivery volumes for the Amish Country hospitality industry.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 79 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 Lancaster Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Philadelphia to Lancaster?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Philadelphia, PA to Lancaster, PA currently range from $170-$209 for a standard dry van load over the 79-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $243-$467 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 Lancaster?
Standard FTL transit from Philadelphia to Lancaster is approximately 1 hrs by truck over 79 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 Lancaster freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Philadelphia commonly ships refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Lancaster commonly receives animal feed, packaging materials, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Lancaster to Philadelphia?
Yes. Lancaster is a strong outbound market shipping dairy products, poultry & eggs, tobacco. Carriers returning from Lancaster to Philadelphia can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Philadelphia-to-Lancaster lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Philadelphia to Lancaster?
The Philadelphia-to-Lancaster corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Philadelphia's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, chemicals, medical devices, containerized exports. Lancaster's primary inbound freight includes animal feed, packaging materials, consumer goods, agricultural inputs, fuel products, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining from Philadelphia and agriculture & food processing and tourism in Lancaster.
Get Exact Rates for Philadelphia to Lancaster
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Philadelphia to Lancaster lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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