Freight Shipping from Philadelphia to Providence
Ship freight from Philadelphia, PA to Providence, RI with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $656-$808, LTL from $368-$659. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
305 mi
Drive Time
6 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$656-$808
LTL Rate Est.
$368-$659
Philadelphia to Providence 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.
Providence may be small but it punches hard in logistics. CVS Health's national headquarters in nearby Woonsocket drives pharmaceutical and retail distribution freight across the Northeast. Hasbro's toy and game operations generate seasonal spikes that test carrier capacity. The Port of Providence handles bulk commodities — auto imports, petroleum, and construction aggregates — while Electric Boat's submarine component work at Quonset Point creates specialized defense freight.
The Philadelphia-to-Providence corridor spans 305 miles via I-95. This lane connects pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining freight from the Philadelphia market to jewelry & costume accessories and healthcare demand in Providence. 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 Providence Receives
Providence's jewelry & costume accessories, healthcare, defense (naval station newport) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Philadelphia.
raw precious metals
petroleum products
consumer goods
bulk commodities (coal, salt)
building materials
food products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Philadelphia and Providence, 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.
$656-$808 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.
$808-$1,022 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.
$869-$1,113 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$961-$1,296 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Philadelphia to Providence lane (305 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $656-$808 | 6 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $368-$659 | 8-10 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $991-$1,373 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Philadelphia and Providence that drive volume on this lane.
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
CVS Health (HQ, Woonsocket)
Hasbro (HQ, Pawtucket)
Electric Boat (Quonset Point)
Shipping Tips for Philadelphia to Providence
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.
Providence Seasonal Advisory
Hasbro's toy distribution creates a sharp Q3-Q4 peak as products ship to retailers for the holiday season. CVS distribution is steady year-round with peaks during cold/flu season. Port operations slow during winter storms but remain active.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 305 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 Providence Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Philadelphia to Providence?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Philadelphia, PA to Providence, RI currently range from $656-$808 for a standard dry van load over the 305-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $368-$659 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 Providence?
Standard FTL transit from Philadelphia to Providence is approximately 6 hrs by truck over 305 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 Providence freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Philadelphia commonly ships refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Providence commonly receives raw precious metals, petroleum products, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Providence to Philadelphia?
Yes. Providence is a strong outbound market shipping jewelry & fashion accessories, medical devices, fabricated metals. Carriers returning from Providence to Philadelphia can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Philadelphia-to-Providence lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Philadelphia to Providence?
The Philadelphia-to-Providence corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Philadelphia's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, chemicals, medical devices, containerized exports. Providence's primary inbound freight includes raw precious metals, petroleum products, consumer goods, bulk commodities (coal, salt), building materials, food products. Industries driving this lane include pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining from Philadelphia and jewelry & costume accessories and healthcare in Providence.
Get Exact Rates for Philadelphia to Providence
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