Freight Shipping from Providence to Boston
Ship freight from Providence, RI to Boston, MA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $116-$143, LTL from $230-$446. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
54 mi
Drive Time
1 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$116-$143
LTL Rate Est.
$230-$446
Providence to Boston Freight Corridor
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.
Boston's freight market is dominated by the biotech and pharmaceutical corridor along the Route 128 belt and Cambridge/Kendall Square. Temperature-controlled pharmaceutical shipments from Moderna, Takeda, and dozens of biotech firms command premium rates and require validated cold-chain documentation. The Port of Boston's Conley Terminal handles 300,000+ TEUs annually but congestion in the Seaport District creates chronic drayage bottlenecks.
The Providence-to-Boston corridor spans 54 miles via I-95. This lane connects jewelry & costume accessories and healthcare freight from the Providence market to biotech & pharmaceuticals and higher education demand in Boston. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Providence
Providence's economy is driven by jewelry & costume accessories, healthcare, defense (naval station newport), generating consistent outbound freight demand.
jewelry & fashion accessories
medical devices
fabricated metals
seafood
specialty chemicals
defense electronics
What Boston Receives
Boston's biotech & pharmaceuticals, higher education, financial services sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Providence.
consumer goods
building materials
food & beverage
lab equipment
fuel & heating oil
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Providence and Boston, 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.
$116-$143 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.
$143-$181 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.
$154-$197 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$170-$230 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Providence to Boston lane (54 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $116-$143 | 1 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $230-$446 | 3-5 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $176-$243 | 1 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Providence and Boston that drive volume on this lane.
CVS Health (HQ, Woonsocket)
Hasbro (HQ, Pawtucket)
Electric Boat (Quonset Point)
Moderna
Raytheon Technologies
Boston Scientific
Shipping Tips for Providence to Boston
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.
Boston Seasonal Advisory
University move-in/move-out season (August-September and May-June) creates a massive surge in household goods and furniture freight. Heating oil tanker demand spikes November through March.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 54 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.
Providence to Boston Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Providence to Boston?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Providence, RI to Boston, MA currently range from $116-$143 for a standard dry van load over the 54-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $230-$446 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 Providence to Boston?
Standard FTL transit from Providence to Boston is approximately 1 hrs by truck over 54 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 Providence to Boston freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Providence commonly ships jewelry & fashion accessories, medical devices, fabricated metals, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Boston commonly receives consumer goods, building materials, food & beverage. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Boston to Providence?
Yes. Boston is a strong outbound market shipping pharmaceuticals, medical devices, seafood (lobster). Carriers returning from Boston to Providence can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Providence-to-Boston lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Providence to Boston?
The Providence-to-Boston corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Providence's top outbound commodities include jewelry & fashion accessories, medical devices, fabricated metals, seafood, specialty chemicals, defense electronics. Boston's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, building materials, food & beverage, lab equipment, fuel & heating oil, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include jewelry & costume accessories and healthcare from Providence and biotech & pharmaceuticals and higher education in Boston.
Get Exact Rates for Providence to Boston
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Providence to Boston lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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