Freight Shipping from St. Louis to Allentown
Ship freight from St. Louis, MO to Allentown, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,219-$2,735, LTL from $768-$1,277. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,032 mi
Drive Time
19 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,219-$2,735
LTL Rate Est.
$768-$1,277
St. Louis to Allentown Freight Corridor
St. Louis sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, making it a natural multimodal freight hub where barge, rail, and truck converge. Anheuser-Busch's flagship brewery ships millions of cases weekly on dedicated lane networks. Boeing's defense division in north St. Louis County produces F/A-18 and F-15 fighter jets, generating oversize military cargo requiring specialized flatbed carriers.
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 St. Louis-to-Allentown corridor spans 1,032 miles via I-70, I-64, I-78, US-22. This lane connects beer & beverage and agriculture & food freight from the St. Louis 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 St. Louis
St. Louis's economy is driven by beer & beverage, agriculture & food, defense & aerospace, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
beer & beverages
processed foods
defense equipment
vehicles (GM)
chemicals
grain products
What Allentown Receives
Allentown's logistics & distribution, food processing, healthcare sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like St. Louis.
raw materials
consumer goods
food ingredients
packaging materials
imported merchandise
chemicals
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between St. Louis 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.
$2,219-$2,735 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.
$2,735-$3,457 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,251-$4,386 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.
$768-$1,277 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the St. Louis to Allentown lane (1,032 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,219-$2,735 | 19 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $768-$1,277 | 21-23 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,354-$4,644 | 13 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,393-$1,909 | 22-24 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both St. Louis and Allentown that drive volume on this lane.
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Boeing Defense
General Motors (Wentzville)
FedEx Ground (regional hub)
Amazon ABE Fulfillment
Utz Brands (Hanover)
Shipping Tips for St. Louis to Allentown
St. Louis Seasonal Advisory
Beer shipments surge before major holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Super Bowl). Mississippi River flooding in spring can shut down river terminals and divert barge freight to trucks, causing temporary rate spikes.
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.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,032 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 19 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
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.
St. Louis to Allentown Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from St. Louis to Allentown?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from St. Louis, MO to Allentown, PA currently range from $2,219-$2,735 for a standard dry van load over the 1,032-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $768-$1,277 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 St. Louis to Allentown?
Standard FTL transit from St. Louis to Allentown is approximately 19 hrs by truck over 1,032 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 St. Louis to Allentown freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. St. Louis commonly ships beer & beverages, processed foods, defense equipment, 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 St. Louis?
Yes. Allentown is a strong outbound market shipping consumer packaged goods, cement & concrete products, processed foods. Carriers returning from Allentown to St. Louis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the St. Louis-to-Allentown lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from St. Louis to Allentown?
The St. Louis-to-Allentown corridor handles a diverse freight mix. St. Louis's top outbound commodities include beer & beverages, processed foods, defense equipment, vehicles (GM), chemicals, grain products. Allentown's primary inbound freight includes raw materials, consumer goods, food ingredients, packaging materials, imported merchandise, chemicals. Industries driving this lane include beer & beverage and agriculture & food from St. Louis and logistics & distribution and food processing in Allentown.
Get Exact Rates for St. Louis to Allentown
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the St. Louis to Allentown lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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