Freight Shipping from Philadelphia to Richmond
Ship freight from Philadelphia, PA to Richmond, VA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $578-$713, LTL from $348-$629. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
269 mi
Drive Time
5 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$578-$713
LTL Rate Est.
$348-$629
Philadelphia to Richmond 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.
Richmond is the I-95 corridor's mid-Atlantic distribution sweet spot — equidistant between the Northeast megalopolis and the Southeast's growth markets. Altria Group's massive headquarters and manufacturing complex makes Richmond one of America's top tobacco freight origins, while Performance Food Group's headquarters drives broadline foodservice distribution across the eastern seaboard. The I-95/I-64 junction positions Richmond as a natural redistribution point where north-south and east-west freight flows intersect.
The Philadelphia-to-Richmond corridor spans 269 miles via I-95. This lane connects pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining freight from the Philadelphia market to tobacco & consumer products and financial services demand in Richmond. 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 Richmond Receives
Richmond's tobacco & consumer products, financial services, government (state capital) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Philadelphia.
raw tobacco
consumer goods
chemicals
packaging materials
food ingredients
building materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Philadelphia and Richmond, 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.
$578-$713 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.
$713-$901 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.
$767-$982 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$847-$1,143 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Philadelphia to Richmond lane (269 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $578-$713 | 5 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $348-$629 | 7-9 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $874-$1,211 | 3 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Philadelphia and Richmond that drive volume on this lane.
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Altria Group (HQ)
CarMax (HQ)
Performance Food Group (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Philadelphia to Richmond
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.
Richmond Seasonal Advisory
Tobacco freight is steady year-round with slight upticks in Q4 for holiday carton sales. Performance Food Group distribution peaks during summer restaurant season and Q4 holiday catering. State government freight follows the legislative session calendar (January-March).
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 269 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 Richmond Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Philadelphia to Richmond?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Philadelphia, PA to Richmond, VA currently range from $578-$713 for a standard dry van load over the 269-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $348-$629 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 Richmond?
Standard FTL transit from Philadelphia to Richmond is approximately 5 hrs by truck over 269 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 Richmond freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Philadelphia commonly ships refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Richmond commonly receives raw tobacco, consumer goods, chemicals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Richmond to Philadelphia?
Yes. Richmond is a strong outbound market shipping cigarettes & tobacco products (Altria), pharmaceuticals, processed foods. Carriers returning from Richmond to Philadelphia can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Philadelphia-to-Richmond lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Philadelphia to Richmond?
The Philadelphia-to-Richmond corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Philadelphia's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, chemicals, medical devices, containerized exports. Richmond's primary inbound freight includes raw tobacco, consumer goods, chemicals, packaging materials, food ingredients, building materials. Industries driving this lane include pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining from Philadelphia and tobacco & consumer products and financial services in Richmond.
Get Exact Rates for Philadelphia to Richmond
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Philadelphia to Richmond lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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