Freight Shipping from Providence to Philadelphia
Ship freight from Providence, RI to Philadelphia, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $656-$808, LTL from $368-$659. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
305 mi
Drive Time
6 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$656-$808
LTL Rate Est.
$368-$659
Providence to Philadelphia 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.
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.
The Providence-to-Philadelphia corridor spans 305 miles via I-95. This lane connects jewelry & costume accessories and healthcare freight from the Providence market to pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining demand in Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia Receives
Philadelphia's pharmaceuticals & biotech, petroleum refining, food processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Providence.
crude oil
containerized imports
cocoa beans & sugar
vehicles
steel & metals
produce (Latin America)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Providence and Philadelphia, 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.
$656-$808 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.
$808-$1,022 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.
$869-$1,113 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$961-$1,296 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Providence to Philadelphia lane (305 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $656-$808 | 6 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $368-$659 | 8-10 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $991-$1,373 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Providence and Philadelphia that drive volume on this lane.
CVS Health (HQ, Woonsocket)
Hasbro (HQ, Pawtucket)
Electric Boat (Quonset Point)
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Shipping Tips for Providence to Philadelphia
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.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 305 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 Philadelphia Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Providence to Philadelphia?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Providence, RI to Philadelphia, PA currently range from $656-$808 for a standard dry van load over the 305-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $368-$659 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 Philadelphia?
Standard FTL transit from Providence to Philadelphia is approximately 6 hrs by truck over 305 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 Philadelphia 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. Philadelphia commonly receives crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Philadelphia to Providence?
Yes. Philadelphia is a strong outbound market shipping refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods. Carriers returning from Philadelphia to Providence can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Providence-to-Philadelphia lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Providence to Philadelphia?
The Providence-to-Philadelphia corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Providence's top outbound commodities include jewelry & fashion accessories, medical devices, fabricated metals, seafood, specialty chemicals, defense electronics. Philadelphia's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar, vehicles, steel & metals, produce (Latin America). Industries driving this lane include jewelry & costume accessories and healthcare from Providence and pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining in Philadelphia.
Get Exact Rates for Providence to Philadelphia
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Providence to Philadelphia lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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