Freight Shipping from Philadelphia to Lehigh Valley
Ship freight from Philadelphia, PA to Lehigh Valley, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $133-$164, LTL from $234-$453. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
62 mi
Drive Time
1 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$133-$164
LTL Rate Est.
$234-$453
Consumer Goods Corridor
Philadelphia → Lehigh Valley Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
166–188
running this lane
Weekly Loads
83–101
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
56/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$4–$7 one-way passing through PA. 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 Lehigh Valley 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 transformed from its steel-era roots into one of the East Coast's premier e-commerce fulfillment corridors. Amazon operates multiple fulfillment centers here, FedEx runs a major ground hub, and over 50 million square feet of warehouse space has been built in the past decade along the I-78 corridor. The valley's position — 90 minutes from both New York City and Philadelphia — makes it the ideal one-day ground shipping point for the entire Northeast megalopolis. Crayola's Easton factory and B. Braun Medical's North American headquarters add manufacturing diversity.
The Philadelphia-to-Lehigh Valley corridor spans 62 miles via I-95, I-76, I-78, I-476 (PA Turnpike NE Extension). This lane connects pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining freight from the Philadelphia market to e-commerce fulfillment and food processing demand in Lehigh Valley. 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 Lehigh Valley Receives
Lehigh Valley's e-commerce fulfillment, food processing, healthcare sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Philadelphia.
consumer goods (for fulfillment)
raw food ingredients
packaging materials
limestone
electronic components
industrial supplies
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley, 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.
$133-$164 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.
$164-$208 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$195-$264 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.
$234-$453 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Philadelphia to Lehigh Valley lane (62 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $133-$164 | 1 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $234-$453 | 3-5 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $202-$279 | 1 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley that drive volume on this lane.
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Amazon ABE Fulfillment Network (multiple)
FedEx Ground (Hub)
Crayola (Easton)
Shipping Tips for Philadelphia to Lehigh Valley
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.
Lehigh Valley Seasonal Advisory
E-commerce fulfillment peaks dramatically during Q4 holidays (October-December), with Amazon and FedEx running at maximum capacity. Construction-grade cement from local quarries peaks spring through fall. B. Braun medical supply shipments are steady year-round.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 62 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 Lehigh Valley — 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
Lehigh Valley, PA
- Metro Population
- 870K metro (Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-78, I-476 (PA Turnpike NE Extension), US-22
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Bethlehem Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- Upper Macungie/I-78 West, Bethlehem/I-78 East, Forks Township/US-22
“The Lehigh Valley is arguably the best backhaul market in the Northeast. With so many fulfillment centers concentrated along I-78, carriers delivering inbound inventory can almost always find outbound e-commerce loads heading to distribution points across the eastern seaboard.”
Return Loads from Lehigh Valley
Backhaul from Lehigh Valley to Philadelphia requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Lehigh Valley
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 Lehigh Valley Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Philadelphia to Lehigh Valley?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Philadelphia, PA to Lehigh Valley, PA currently range $133-$164 (roughly $2.15-$2.65 per mile over 62 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $234-$453 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 Lehigh Valley?
Standard FTL transit from Philadelphia to Lehigh Valley is approximately 1 hrs by truck over 62 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 Lehigh Valley freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Philadelphia commonly ships refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Lehigh Valley commonly receives consumer goods (for fulfillment), raw food ingredients, packaging materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Lehigh Valley to Philadelphia?
Moderate backhaul (scored 56/100 based on Lehigh Valley's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Lehigh Valley to Philadelphia requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Lehigh Valley's top outbound commodities — e-commerce shipments, processed foods, cement & concrete products — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Philadelphia to Lehigh Valley?
The Philadelphia-to-Lehigh Valley 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. Lehigh Valley's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods (for fulfillment), raw food ingredients, packaging materials, limestone, electronic components, industrial supplies. Industries driving this lane include pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining from Philadelphia and e-commerce fulfillment and food processing in Lehigh Valley.
When are rates highest on the Philadelphia to Lehigh Valley 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 Lehigh Valley be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 62 miles (1 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Philadelphia-to-Lehigh Valley 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 1 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Philadelphia to Lehigh Valley
We maintain working relationships with 166+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Philadelphia–Lehigh Valley 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