Freight Shipping from Philadelphia to Tulsa
Ship freight from Philadelphia, PA to Tulsa, OK with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $3,242-$3,996, LTL from $1,029-$1,682. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,508 mi
Drive Time
27 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$3,242-$3,996
LTL Rate Est.
$1,029-$1,682
Philadelphia to Tulsa 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.
Tulsa is the aerospace maintenance capital of the central U.S., with American Airlines operating its largest MRO facility here — capable of servicing widebody aircraft. The Port of Catoosa, America's most inland river port, connects Tulsa to the Gulf of Mexico via the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, enabling barge-to-truck transloading for heavy industrial freight. The city's legacy oil refining infrastructure creates steady tanker and hazmat volumes.
The Philadelphia-to-Tulsa corridor spans 1,508 miles via I-95, I-76, I-44, US-75. This lane connects pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining freight from the Philadelphia market to aerospace manufacturing and energy demand in Tulsa. 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 Tulsa Receives
Tulsa's aerospace manufacturing, energy, steel fabrication sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Philadelphia.
crude oil
raw steel
aircraft sub-assemblies
chemicals
electronic components
packaging materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Philadelphia and Tulsa, 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.
$3,242-$3,996 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.
$3,996-$5,052 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.
$4,298-$5,504 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$4,750-$6,409 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Philadelphia to Tulsa lane (1,508 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $3,242-$3,996 | 27 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,029-$1,682 | 29-31 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $4,901-$6,786 | 18 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,036-$2,790 | 30-32 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Philadelphia and Tulsa that drive volume on this lane.
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
American Airlines Maintenance Base
NORDAM Group
Holly Frontier Refining
Shipping Tips for Philadelphia to Tulsa
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.
Tulsa Seasonal Advisory
Aerospace MRO work peaks during winter when airlines pull aircraft from service for heavy maintenance checks. Refinery output is steady but turnaround seasons (spring and fall) temporarily reduce outbound tanker volumes while increasing inbound equipment freight.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,508 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 27 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
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 Tulsa Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Philadelphia to Tulsa?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Philadelphia, PA to Tulsa, OK currently range from $3,242-$3,996 for a standard dry van load over the 1,508-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $1,029-$1,682 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 Tulsa?
Standard FTL transit from Philadelphia to Tulsa is approximately 27 hrs by truck over 1,508 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Philadelphia to Tulsa freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Philadelphia commonly ships refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Tulsa commonly receives crude oil, raw steel, aircraft sub-assemblies. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Tulsa to Philadelphia?
Yes. Tulsa is a strong outbound market shipping aircraft components, refined fuels, steel pipe & fittings. Carriers returning from Tulsa to Philadelphia can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Philadelphia-to-Tulsa lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Philadelphia to Tulsa?
The Philadelphia-to-Tulsa corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Philadelphia's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, chemicals, medical devices, containerized exports. Tulsa's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, raw steel, aircraft sub-assemblies, chemicals, electronic components, packaging materials. Industries driving this lane include pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining from Philadelphia and aerospace manufacturing and energy in Tulsa.
Get Exact Rates for Philadelphia to Tulsa
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