Freight Shipping from Stamford to Philadelphia
Ship freight from Stamford, CT to Philadelphia, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $320-$395, LTL from $282-$527. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
149 mi
Drive Time
3 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$320-$395
LTL Rate Est.
$282-$527
Port Drayage Corridor
Stamford → Philadelphia Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
163–186
running this lane
Weekly Loads
87–104
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
61/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$8–$13 one-way passing through CT, PA. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Mon, Tue, Wed. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Stamford to Philadelphia Freight Corridor
Stamford is Connecticut's corporate powerhouse, home to dozens of Fortune 500 and multinational company headquarters that create a unique white-collar freight profile emphasizing high-value office moves, IT equipment deployments, and corporate event logistics. The city's position on I-95, just 35 miles from Manhattan, makes it part of the greater New York freight ecosystem while maintaining lower operating costs. Charter Communications, WWE, and Synchrony Financial are among the major corporate shippers whose logistics needs range from data center equipment to broadcast production gear.
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 Stamford-to-Philadelphia corridor spans 149 miles via I-95. This lane connects financial services and corporate headquarters freight from the Stamford 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 Stamford
Stamford's economy is driven by financial services, corporate headquarters, media & entertainment, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
corporate shipments
media equipment
pharmaceutical products
high-value consumer goods
financial documents
IT equipment
What Philadelphia Receives
Philadelphia's pharmaceuticals & biotech, petroleum refining, food processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Stamford.
crude oil
containerized imports
cocoa beans & sugar
vehicles
steel & metals
produce (Latin America)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Stamford 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.
$320-$395 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.
$395-$499 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.
$425-$544 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$469-$633 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Stamford to Philadelphia lane (149 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $320-$395 | 3 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $282-$527 | 5-7 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $484-$671 | 2 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Stamford and Philadelphia that drive volume on this lane.
Charter Communications (HQ)
WWE (HQ)
Synchrony Financial (HQ)
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Shipping Tips for Stamford to Philadelphia
Stamford Seasonal Advisory
Corporate relocations and office buildouts peak in Q1 and Q3. WWE event production creates periodic specialized freight events. Holiday season drives retail supply chain freight along the I-95 corridor. Summer brings Hamptons-bound luxury goods shipments.
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 149 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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Stamford and Philadelphia — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Stamford, CT
- Metro Population
- 340K metro (Stamford-Norwalk)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.30-$2.65/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95, CT-15 (Merritt Parkway), US-1
- Warehouse Districts
- Stamford Harbor Area, Norwalk/I-95 Corridor, South End/Atlantic Street
“Stamford's corporate relocations and office buildouts create a steady stream of specialized moving and logistics demand. Carriers with white-glove, padded-van capabilities and after-hours delivery experience are particularly valued in this market.”
Destination
Philadelphia, PA
- Metro Population
- 6.2M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95, I-76, I-476
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Philadelphia Terminal; CSX Greenwich Yard; PhilaPort Packer Avenue Marine Terminal
- Port Access
- PhilaPort — Port of Philadelphia (Delaware River, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Northeast Philadelphia/I-95 Corridor, King of Prussia/I-76 West, South Jersey/I-295 (Camden-Gloucester)
“PhilaPort's concentration in perishable imports creates a natural reefer freight ecosystem — carriers delivering produce from Central and South America can backhaul pharmaceuticals and processed foods northbound on I-95 or westbound on I-76, maintaining cold chain both ways.”
Return Loads from Philadelphia
Backhaul from Philadelphia to Stamford requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Philadelphia
Seasonal Rate Patterns
May-Aug (produce season)
+12-18% on reefer capacity
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Stamford to Philadelphia Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Stamford to Philadelphia?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Stamford, CT to Philadelphia, PA currently range $320-$395 (roughly $2.17-$2.67 per mile over 149 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $282-$527 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently tight on this corridor, so booking 3-5 days out locks in the best pricing. Request a custom quote for exact rates.
How long does freight take from Stamford to Philadelphia?
Standard FTL transit from Stamford to Philadelphia is approximately 3 hrs by truck over 149 miles, with 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor. 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 Stamford to Philadelphia freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Stamford commonly ships corporate shipments, media equipment, pharmaceutical products, 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 Stamford?
Moderate backhaul (scored 61/100 based on Philadelphia's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Philadelphia to Stamford requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Philadelphia's top outbound commodities — refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Stamford to Philadelphia?
The Stamford-to-Philadelphia corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Stamford's top outbound commodities include corporate shipments, media equipment, pharmaceutical products, high-value consumer goods, financial documents, IT equipment. Philadelphia's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar, vehicles, steel & metals, produce (Latin America). Industries driving this lane include financial services and corporate headquarters from Stamford and pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining in Philadelphia.
When are rates highest on the Stamford to Philadelphia lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to financial services and corporate headquarters cycles. Key periods: May-Aug (produce season) (+12-18% on reefer capacity); Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Mon, Tue, Wed) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Can freight from Stamford to Philadelphia be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 149 miles (3 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Stamford-to-Philadelphia lane in one shift. Same-day delivery requires booking before 9 AM local time at origin and confirming dock availability at destination. Expedited service runs 2 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Stamford to Philadelphia
We maintain working relationships with 163+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Stamford–Philadelphia corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts