Freight Shipping from Worcester to Philadelphia
Ship freight from Worcester, MA to Philadelphia, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $662-$816, LTL from $369-$662. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
308 mi
Drive Time
6 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$662-$816
LTL Rate Est.
$369-$662
Worcester to Philadelphia Freight Corridor
Worcester has emerged as central New England's distribution hub, sitting at the junction of the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) and I-290. The CSX intermodal terminal handles overflow container traffic from the congested Port of Boston, making Worcester a cost-effective alternative for importers. A growing biotech manufacturing cluster supplements the city's traditional metalworking and plastics base.
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 Worcester-to-Philadelphia corridor spans 308 miles via I-90, I-290, I-95, I-76. This lane connects biotech manufacturing and metal fabrication freight from the Worcester 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 Worcester
Worcester's economy is driven by biotech manufacturing, metal fabrication, healthcare, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
biotech products
fabricated metals
medical instruments
wire & cable
plastic products
abrasives
What Philadelphia Receives
Philadelphia's pharmaceuticals & biotech, petroleum refining, food processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Worcester.
crude oil
containerized imports
cocoa beans & sugar
vehicles
steel & metals
produce (Latin America)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Worcester 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.
$662-$816 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.
$816-$1,032 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.
$878-$1,124 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$970-$1,309 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Worcester to Philadelphia lane (308 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $662-$816 | 6 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $369-$662 | 8-10 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,001-$1,386 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Worcester and Philadelphia that drive volume on this lane.
AbbVie (Worcester)
Saint-Gobain Abrasives
Polar Beverages
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Shipping Tips for Worcester to Philadelphia
Worcester Seasonal Advisory
Holiday retail inventory builds drive warehouse activity from August through November. Winter road conditions on I-90 westbound toward Springfield and Albany can slow transit times significantly December through March.
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 308 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.
Worcester to Philadelphia Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Worcester to Philadelphia?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Worcester, MA to Philadelphia, PA currently range from $662-$816 for a standard dry van load over the 308-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $369-$662 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 Worcester to Philadelphia?
Standard FTL transit from Worcester to Philadelphia is approximately 6 hrs by truck over 308 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 Worcester to Philadelphia freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Worcester commonly ships biotech products, fabricated metals, medical instruments, 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 Worcester?
Yes. Philadelphia is a strong outbound market shipping refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods. Carriers returning from Philadelphia to Worcester can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Worcester-to-Philadelphia lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Worcester to Philadelphia?
The Worcester-to-Philadelphia corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Worcester's top outbound commodities include biotech products, fabricated metals, medical instruments, wire & cable, plastic products, abrasives. Philadelphia's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar, vehicles, steel & metals, produce (Latin America). Industries driving this lane include biotech manufacturing and metal fabrication from Worcester and pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining in Philadelphia.
Get Exact Rates for Worcester to Philadelphia
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Worcester to Philadelphia lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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