Freight Shipping from Philadelphia to Milwaukee
Ship freight from Philadelphia, PA to Milwaukee, WI with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,935-$2,385, LTL from $695-$1,165. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
900 mi
Drive Time
16 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,935-$2,385
LTL Rate Est.
$695-$1,165
Consumer Goods Corridor
Philadelphia → Milwaukee Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
166–184
running this lane
Weekly Loads
230–242
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
63/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$33–$56 one-way passing through PA, WI, OH, IN, IL. 2 typical fuel stops 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 Milwaukee 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.
Milwaukee is a manufacturing powerhouse that punches well above its population weight in freight generation. Rockwell Automation, Harley-Davidson, GE Healthcare, and Briggs & Stratton all maintain major operations here, creating a diverse mix of industrial freight that includes everything from motorcycles to MRI machines. The city's position on I-94 between Chicago and Minneapolis places it on one of the Midwest's highest-volume freight corridors, while the Port of Milwaukee provides Great Lakes shipping access for bulk commodities.
The Philadelphia-to-Milwaukee corridor spans 900 miles via I-95, I-76, I-94, I-43. This lane connects pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining freight from the Philadelphia market to manufacturing (engines, controls) and brewing & food processing demand in Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee Receives
Milwaukee's manufacturing (engines, controls), brewing & food processing, healthcare sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Philadelphia.
raw metals & steel
agricultural products
consumer goods
electronic components
packaging materials
petroleum products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Philadelphia and Milwaukee, 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.
$1,935-$2,385 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.
$2,385-$3,015 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.
$2,565-$3,285 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,835-$3,825 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Philadelphia to Milwaukee lane (900 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,935-$2,385 | 16 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $695-$1,165 | 18-20 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,925-$4,050 | 11 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,215-$1,665 | 19-21 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Philadelphia and Milwaukee that drive volume on this lane.
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Rockwell Automation (HQ)
Harley-Davidson (HQ)
Kohl's (Menomonee Falls)
Shipping Tips for Philadelphia to Milwaukee
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.
Milwaukee Seasonal Advisory
Manufacturing runs year-round with summer maintenance shutdowns at some plants. Harley-Davidson production peaks in spring for summer riding season deliveries. Kohl's distribution surges during Q4 holiday season. Lake Michigan port operations shut down mid-December through mid-March due to ice.
Overnight Transit
This 900-mile route typically requires one overnight stop for a solo driver. Schedule pickup before noon for next-day delivery in most cases.
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 Milwaukee — 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
Milwaukee, WI
- Metro Population
- 1.6M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-94, I-43, I-894
- Rail / Intermodal
- Union Pacific Global III (Rochelle — 70 mi); Canadian Pacific Milwaukee Yard
- Port Access
- Port of Milwaukee (Lake Michigan, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Menomonee Falls/I-41 North, Oak Creek/I-94 South, New Berlin/I-43 West
“Milwaukee's proximity to Chicago (90 miles south on I-94) creates a freight dynamic where many carriers treat the two cities as a single market. Smart operators use Milwaukee as a staging area to avoid Chicago's notorious congestion and detention, picking up loads here that pay nearly as well without the headaches.”
Return Loads from Milwaukee
Backhaul from Milwaukee to Philadelphia requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Milwaukee
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 Milwaukee Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Philadelphia to Milwaukee?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Philadelphia, PA to Milwaukee, WI currently range $1,935-$2,385 (roughly $2.17-$2.66 per mile over 900 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $695-$1,165 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 Milwaukee?
Standard FTL transit from Philadelphia to Milwaukee is approximately 16 hrs by truck over 900 miles, with 2 typical fuel stops 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service via Norfolk Southern Philadelphia Terminal to Union Pacific Global III (Rochelle — 70 mi) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Philadelphia to Milwaukee freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Philadelphia commonly ships refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Milwaukee commonly receives raw metals & steel, agricultural products, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Milwaukee to Philadelphia?
Moderate backhaul (scored 63/100 based on Milwaukee's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Milwaukee to Philadelphia requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Milwaukee's top outbound commodities — engines & power systems (Briggs & Stratton), electrical controls (Rockwell), processed foods & beverages — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Philadelphia to Milwaukee?
The Philadelphia-to-Milwaukee 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. Milwaukee's primary inbound freight includes raw metals & steel, agricultural products, consumer goods, electronic components, packaging materials, petroleum products. Industries driving this lane include pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining from Philadelphia and manufacturing (engines, controls) and brewing & food processing in Milwaukee.
What tolls should I expect on the Philadelphia to Milwaukee route?
Expect roughly $33-$56 in tolls round-trip passing through PA, WI, OH, IN, IL. 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee
We maintain working relationships with 166+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Philadelphia–Milwaukee 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