Freight Shipping from Pittsburgh to Allentown
Ship freight from Pittsburgh, PA to Allentown, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $662-$816, LTL from $369-$662. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
308 mi
Drive Time
6 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$662-$816
LTL Rate Est.
$369-$662
Pittsburgh to Allentown Freight Corridor
Pittsburgh has reinvented itself from bulk steel to high-tech manufacturing, but freight still flows heavy from this river city. U.S. Steel and PPG Industries maintain headquarters here, and the three-river confluence creates the nation's second-busiest inland port by tonnage. The emerging autonomous vehicle corridor — Aurora, Argo AI, and Carnegie Mellon's robotics spinoffs — adds a new class of high-value, specialized freight moving between testing facilities and manufacturing partners.
The Lehigh Valley has exploded into one of the East Coast's premier distribution corridors, with over 100 million square feet of warehouse space concentrated along I-78. The region's position — 80 miles from New York City and 60 miles from Philadelphia — makes it the ideal last-mile staging area for the entire Northeast megalopolis. The former Bethlehem Steel site has been transformed into a 3,000-acre logistics and commerce center, symbolizing the Valley's shift from heavy industry to distribution.
The Pittsburgh-to-Allentown corridor spans 308 miles via I-76, I-79, I-78, US-22. This lane connects advanced manufacturing and robotics & ai freight from the Pittsburgh market to logistics & distribution and food processing demand in Allentown. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh's economy is driven by advanced manufacturing, robotics & ai, healthcare, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
specialty steel
industrial equipment
medical devices
autonomous vehicle components
glass products
chemicals
What Allentown Receives
Allentown's logistics & distribution, food processing, healthcare sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Pittsburgh.
raw materials
consumer goods
food ingredients
packaging materials
imported merchandise
chemicals
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Pittsburgh and Allentown, 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.
$662-$816 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.
$878-$1,124 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$970-$1,309 estimated for this lane
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
Cost-effective for shipments under 10,000 lbs or fewer than 10 pallets. Shared trailer space with other shippers reduces cost for smaller loads.
$369-$662 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Pittsburgh to Allentown lane (308 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $662-$816 | 6 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $369-$662 | 8-10 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,001-$1,386 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Pittsburgh and Allentown that drive volume on this lane.
U.S. Steel (HQ)
PPG Industries (HQ)
UPMC Health System
FedEx Ground (regional hub)
Amazon ABE Fulfillment
Utz Brands (Hanover)
Shipping Tips for Pittsburgh to Allentown
Pittsburgh Seasonal Advisory
Construction season (April-November) drives the strongest demand for steel and building materials freight. Natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale region generates year-round oilfield equipment moves, with spikes when new wells are permitted.
Allentown Seasonal Advisory
E-commerce fulfillment drives a massive Q4 surge — Amazon and FedEx Ground ramp seasonal staffing and truck volume by 40-60% from October through December. Cement and construction material shipments peak March through November.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 308 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.
Pittsburgh to Allentown Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Pittsburgh to Allentown?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Pittsburgh, PA to Allentown, PA currently range from $662-$816 for a standard dry van load over the 308-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $369-$662 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 Pittsburgh to Allentown?
Standard FTL transit from Pittsburgh to Allentown is approximately 6 hrs by truck over 308 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 Pittsburgh to Allentown freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Pittsburgh commonly ships specialty steel, industrial equipment, medical devices, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Allentown commonly receives raw materials, consumer goods, food ingredients. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Allentown to Pittsburgh?
Yes. Allentown is a strong outbound market shipping consumer packaged goods, cement & concrete products, processed foods. Carriers returning from Allentown to Pittsburgh can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Pittsburgh-to-Allentown lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Pittsburgh to Allentown?
The Pittsburgh-to-Allentown corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Pittsburgh's top outbound commodities include specialty steel, industrial equipment, medical devices, autonomous vehicle components, glass products, chemicals. Allentown's primary inbound freight includes raw materials, consumer goods, food ingredients, packaging materials, imported merchandise, chemicals. Industries driving this lane include advanced manufacturing and robotics & AI from Pittsburgh and logistics & distribution and food processing in Allentown.
Get Exact Rates for Pittsburgh to Allentown
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