Freight Shipping from Providence to Richmond
Ship freight from Providence, RI to Richmond, VA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,219-$1,503, LTL from $512-$882. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
567 mi
Drive Time
10 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,219-$1,503
LTL Rate Est.
$512-$882
Providence to Richmond 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.
Richmond is the I-95 corridor's mid-Atlantic distribution sweet spot — equidistant between the Northeast megalopolis and the Southeast's growth markets. Altria Group's massive headquarters and manufacturing complex makes Richmond one of America's top tobacco freight origins, while Performance Food Group's headquarters drives broadline foodservice distribution across the eastern seaboard. The I-95/I-64 junction positions Richmond as a natural redistribution point where north-south and east-west freight flows intersect.
The Providence-to-Richmond corridor spans 567 miles via I-95. This lane connects jewelry & costume accessories and healthcare freight from the Providence market to tobacco & consumer products and financial services demand in Richmond. 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 Richmond Receives
Richmond's tobacco & consumer products, financial services, government (state capital) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Providence.
raw tobacco
consumer goods
chemicals
packaging materials
food ingredients
building materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Providence and Richmond, 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.
$1,219-$1,503 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.
$1,503-$1,899 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.
$1,616-$2,070 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,786-$2,410 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Providence to Richmond lane (567 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,219-$1,503 | 10 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $512-$882 | 12-14 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,843-$2,552 | 7 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $765-$1,049 | 13-15 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Providence and Richmond that drive volume on this lane.
CVS Health (HQ, Woonsocket)
Hasbro (HQ, Pawtucket)
Electric Boat (Quonset Point)
Altria Group (HQ)
CarMax (HQ)
Performance Food Group (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Providence to Richmond
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.
Richmond Seasonal Advisory
Tobacco freight is steady year-round with slight upticks in Q4 for holiday carton sales. Performance Food Group distribution peaks during summer restaurant season and Q4 holiday catering. State government freight follows the legislative session calendar (January-March).
Overnight Transit
This 567-mile route typically requires one overnight stop for a solo driver. Schedule pickup before noon for next-day delivery in most cases.
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 Richmond Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Providence to Richmond?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Providence, RI to Richmond, VA currently range from $1,219-$1,503 for a standard dry van load over the 567-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $512-$882 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 Richmond?
Standard FTL transit from Providence to Richmond is approximately 10 hrs by truck over 567 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 Providence to Richmond 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. Richmond commonly receives raw tobacco, consumer goods, chemicals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Richmond to Providence?
Yes. Richmond is a strong outbound market shipping cigarettes & tobacco products (Altria), pharmaceuticals, processed foods. Carriers returning from Richmond to Providence can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Providence-to-Richmond lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Providence to Richmond?
The Providence-to-Richmond corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Providence's top outbound commodities include jewelry & fashion accessories, medical devices, fabricated metals, seafood, specialty chemicals, defense electronics. Richmond's primary inbound freight includes raw tobacco, consumer goods, chemicals, packaging materials, food ingredients, building materials. Industries driving this lane include jewelry & costume accessories and healthcare from Providence and tobacco & consumer products and financial services in Richmond.
Get Exact Rates for Providence to Richmond
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Providence to Richmond lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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