Freight Shipping from Providence to Hartford
Ship freight from Providence, RI to Hartford, CT with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $183-$225, LTL from $247-$472. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
85 mi
Drive Time
2 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$183-$225
LTL Rate Est.
$247-$472
Providence to Hartford 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.
Hartford is the jet engine capital of the world. Pratt & Whitney's sprawling East Hartford campus and its network of Connecticut suppliers produce engines for military and commercial aircraft, generating some of the highest-value freight per load anywhere in the US. A single jet engine shipment can be worth $15-30 million, requiring specialized air-ride trailers, armed escorts, and real-time GPS monitoring. The dense cluster of precision manufacturers along the I-91 corridor makes this region uniquely important to national defense.
The Providence-to-Hartford corridor spans 85 miles via I-95, I-195, I-91, I-84. This lane connects jewelry & costume accessories and healthcare freight from the Providence market to insurance and aerospace manufacturing demand in Hartford. 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 Hartford Receives
Hartford's insurance, aerospace manufacturing, defense sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Providence.
aerospace raw materials (titanium, nickel alloys)
electronic components
industrial chemicals
office equipment
consumer goods
construction materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Providence and Hartford, 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.
$183-$225 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.
$225-$285 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.
$242-$310 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$268-$361 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Providence to Hartford lane (85 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $183-$225 | 2 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $247-$472 | 4-6 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $276-$383 | 1 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Providence and Hartford that drive volume on this lane.
CVS Health (HQ, Woonsocket)
Hasbro (HQ, Pawtucket)
Electric Boat (Quonset Point)
Pratt & Whitney (RTX)
Collins Aerospace
Stanley Black & Decker
Shipping Tips for Providence to Hartford
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.
Hartford Seasonal Advisory
Aerospace manufacturing maintains steady year-round production. Defense contract deliveries spike around fiscal year-end (September). Heating oil deliveries add seasonal tanker demand from October through March.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 85 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 Hartford Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Providence to Hartford?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Providence, RI to Hartford, CT currently range from $183-$225 for a standard dry van load over the 85-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $247-$472 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 Hartford?
Standard FTL transit from Providence to Hartford is approximately 2 hrs by truck over 85 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 Hartford 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. Hartford commonly receives aerospace raw materials (titanium, nickel alloys), electronic components, industrial chemicals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Hartford to Providence?
Yes. Hartford is a strong outbound market shipping jet engines, helicopter components, insurance documents (specialized). Carriers returning from Hartford to Providence can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Providence-to-Hartford lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Providence to Hartford?
The Providence-to-Hartford corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Providence's top outbound commodities include jewelry & fashion accessories, medical devices, fabricated metals, seafood, specialty chemicals, defense electronics. Hartford's primary inbound freight includes aerospace raw materials (titanium, nickel alloys), electronic components, industrial chemicals, office equipment, consumer goods, construction materials. Industries driving this lane include jewelry & costume accessories and healthcare from Providence and insurance and aerospace manufacturing in Hartford.
Get Exact Rates for Providence to Hartford
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Providence to Hartford lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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