Freight Shipping from Philadelphia to New York City
Ship freight from Philadelphia, PA to New York City, NY with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $226-$278, LTL from $258-$489. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
105 mi
Drive Time
2 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$226-$278
LTL Rate Est.
$258-$489
Energy & Chemicals Route
Philadelphia → New York City Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
190–208
running this lane
Weekly Loads
231–252
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
62/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$7–$11 one-way passing through PA, NY. 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 New York City 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.
New York City is the largest consumer freight market in the Western Hemisphere, with 20+ million metro residents requiring over 1 billion pounds of food per week alone. Hunts Point Market in the Bronx is the world's largest wholesale produce, meat, and fish distribution center. The city's extreme density, bridge and tunnel tolls, and strict delivery-hour regulations make NYC the most challenging — and highest-paying — last-mile delivery market in the country.
The Philadelphia-to-New York City corridor spans 105 miles via I-95. This lane connects pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining freight from the Philadelphia market to financial services and media & publishing demand in New York City. 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 New York City Receives
New York City's financial services, media & publishing, fashion & apparel sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Philadelphia.
food & beverage (massive volume)
consumer goods
building materials
apparel & textiles
fuel & heating oil
restaurant supplies
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Philadelphia and New York City, 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.
$226-$278 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.
$278-$352 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.
$299-$383 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$331-$446 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Philadelphia to New York City lane (105 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $226-$278 | 2 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $258-$489 | 4-6 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $341-$473 | 1 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Philadelphia and New York City that drive volume on this lane.
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Hunts Point Produce Market
FreshDirect
Amazon NYC Fulfillment
Shipping Tips for Philadelphia to New York City
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.
New York City Seasonal Advisory
Holiday season (November-December) overwhelms the city's limited loading dock capacity, with delivery appointment wait times exceeding 6 hours at major retailers. Restaurant supply freight surges during summer outdoor dining season (May-September).
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 105 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 New York City — 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
New York City, NY
- Metro Population
- 20.1M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.70-$3.20/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95, I-278 (BQE), I-495 (LIE)
- Rail / Intermodal
- Howland Hook Marine Terminal (Staten Island); Red Hook Container Terminal (Brooklyn)
- Port Access
- Port of New York (multiple terminals across 5 boroughs)
- Warehouse Districts
- Hunts Point/South Bronx, Red Hook/Sunset Park (Brooklyn), Maspeth/Long Island City (Queens)
“NYC has some of the most restrictive commercial vehicle regulations in the nation — overnight delivery curfews, bridge height and weight limits, and mandatory off-peak delivery programs in Manhattan. Carriers who master these rules earn significant premiums, while those who don't face $500+ fines per violation.”
Return Loads from New York City
Backhaul from New York City to Philadelphia requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from New York City
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 New York City Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Philadelphia to New York City?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Philadelphia, PA to New York City, NY currently range $226-$278 (roughly $2.16-$2.66 per mile over 105 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $258-$489 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 New York City?
Standard FTL transit from Philadelphia to New York City is approximately 2 hrs by truck over 105 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 New York City freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Philadelphia commonly ships refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. New York City commonly receives food & beverage (massive volume), consumer goods, building materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from New York City to Philadelphia?
Moderate backhaul (scored 62/100 based on New York City's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from New York City to Philadelphia requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. New York City's top outbound commodities — printed materials, fashion & apparel, financial documents — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Philadelphia to New York City?
The Philadelphia-to-New York City corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Energy & Chemicals Route. Philadelphia's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, chemicals, medical devices, containerized exports. New York City's primary inbound freight includes food & beverage (massive volume), consumer goods, building materials, apparel & textiles, fuel & heating oil, restaurant supplies. Industries driving this lane include pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining from Philadelphia and financial services and media & publishing in New York City.
When are rates highest on the Philadelphia to New York City 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 New York City be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 105 miles (2 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Philadelphia-to-New York City 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 2 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Philadelphia to New York City
We maintain working relationships with 190+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Philadelphia–New York City 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