Freight Shipping from Tampa to Philadelphia
Ship freight from Tampa, FL to Philadelphia, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,593-$3,196, LTL from $863-$1,425. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,206 mi
Drive Time
22 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,593-$3,196
LTL Rate Est.
$863-$1,425
Industrial Freight Lane
Tampa → Philadelphia Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
112–129
running this lane
Weekly Loads
191–211
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
69/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$25–$41 one-way passing through FL, PA, TN, KY, VA, OH, GA, SC, NC. 3 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Mon, Tue, Wed. Avoid: Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Tampa to Philadelphia Freight Corridor
Tampa Bay's freight economy revolves around three pillars: Mosaic's massive Bone Valley phosphate mining operations that generate millions of tons of bulk freight annually, the Port Tampa Bay petroleum and bulk cargo terminals, and the rapidly growing I-4 corridor distribution zone stretching east toward Orlando and Lakeland. The region's population growth consistently ranks among the fastest in the US, fueling construction material demand that keeps flatbed carriers busy year-round.
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 Tampa-to-Philadelphia corridor spans 1,206 miles via I-75, I-4, I-95, I-76. This lane connects healthcare and financial services freight from the Tampa 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 Tampa
Tampa's economy is driven by healthcare, financial services, tourism, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
phosphate rock & fertilizer
citrus products
medical devices
seafood
beer & beverages
recycled materials
What Philadelphia Receives
Philadelphia's pharmaceuticals & biotech, petroleum refining, food processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Tampa.
crude oil
containerized imports
cocoa beans & sugar
vehicles
steel & metals
produce (Latin America)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Tampa 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.
$2,593-$3,196 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.
$3,196-$4,040 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.
$3,437-$4,402 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,799-$5,126 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Tampa to Philadelphia lane (1,206 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,593-$3,196 | 22 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $863-$1,425 | 24-26 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,920-$5,427 | 15 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,628-$2,231 | 25-27 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Tampa and Philadelphia that drive volume on this lane.
Mosaic Company (HQ)
Amazon (3 facilities)
Jabil Inc. (HQ)
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Shipping Tips for Tampa to Philadelphia
Tampa Seasonal Advisory
Citrus season (November-May) drives reefer demand from groves in Polk and Highlands counties. Strawberry harvest from Plant City peaks January through March. Hurricane season can disrupt port operations and trigger emergency supply freight.
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.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,206 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 22 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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Tampa and Philadelphia — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Tampa, FL
- Metro Population
- 3.2M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.20-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-75, I-4, I-275
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Tampa Intermodal
- Port Access
- Port Tampa Bay (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- East Tampa/I-4 Corridor, Lakeland/Polk County, Plant City
“The Lakeland/Plant City area between Tampa and Orlando has emerged as Central Florida's primary warehouse zone, offering lower rents than either metro while providing same-day delivery access to both. Carriers who service this corridor can often run multiple short-haul loads per day.”
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
Philadelphia generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Tampa is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Philadelphia
Seasonal Rate Patterns
May-Aug (produce season)
+12-18% on reefer capacity
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Tampa to Philadelphia Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Tampa to Philadelphia?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Tampa, FL to Philadelphia, PA currently range $2,593-$3,196 (roughly $2.17-$2.68 per mile over 1,206 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $863-$1,425 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 Tampa to Philadelphia?
Standard FTL transit from Tampa to Philadelphia is approximately 22 hrs by truck over 1,206 miles, with 3 typical fuel stops 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service via CSX Tampa Intermodal to Norfolk Southern Philadelphia Terminal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Tampa to Philadelphia freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Tampa commonly ships phosphate rock & fertilizer, citrus products, medical devices, 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 Tampa?
Strong backhaul (scored 69/100 based on Philadelphia's outbound commodity mix). Philadelphia generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Tampa is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Philadelphia's top outbound commodities — refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Tampa to Philadelphia?
The Tampa-to-Philadelphia corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. Tampa's top outbound commodities include phosphate rock & fertilizer, citrus products, medical devices, seafood, beer & beverages, recycled materials. Philadelphia's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar, vehicles, steel & metals, produce (Latin America). Industries driving this lane include healthcare and financial services from Tampa and pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining in Philadelphia.
What tolls should I expect on the Tampa to Philadelphia route?
Expect roughly $25-$41 in tolls round-trip passing through FL, PA, TN, KY, VA, OH, GA, SC, NC. Most rate quotes either include tolls in the line-haul or bill them as a separate pass-through — ask your dispatcher to confirm which model applies to your lane.
When are rates highest on the Tampa to Philadelphia lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to healthcare and financial services cycles. Key periods: May-Aug (produce season) (+12-18% on reefer capacity); 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, Mon AM, Fri PM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Tampa to Philadelphia
We maintain working relationships with 112+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Tampa–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