Hartford to Groton Truck Dispatch
Freight route connecting Hartford, CT to Groton, CT (45 miles). Connects Hartford to Electric Boat's submarine construction freight base via I-95/I-395.
What do truck dispatch rates run from Hartford to Groton?
Hartford to Groton is a 45-mile lane paying about $130 - $149 per load, near $2.85 - $3.30 a mile. Freight is mostly submarine-manufacturing freight, supplier/component freight and consumer goods.
- Distance
- 45 miles
- Avg. rate / load
- $128 - $148
- Rate per mile
- $2.85 - $3.30
- Transit time
- Same day / 45 min
- Deadhead risk
- 10-15%
Lane rates reviewed September 2026. These numbers follow 2026 spot-market pricing for this defense-manufacturing corridor. See our dispatch fee structure.
Hartford to Groton
Hartford to Groton is a 45-mile, roughly 1-hour run southeast. It connects Connecticut's insurance capital to Electric Boat, the submarine manufacturer. Electric Boat's Marine Systems division posted 2025 revenue of $16.7 billion, up 17% year-over-year. The company is adding 8,000 workers in 2026, a roughly 32% increase, as it ramps up submarine production.
Origin
Hartford, CT
Destination
Groton, CT
Distance
45 miles
Transit Time
Same day / 45 min
Average Rate
$128 - $148
Rate per Mile
$2.85 - $3.30
45-mile lane, about 1 hour southeast
Electric Boat's Marine Systems division posted $16.7 billion in 2025 revenue, up 17% year-over-year
Electric Boat is adding 8,000 workers in 2026, a roughly 32% increase from its current 25,000
Hartford to Groton: route facts a driver should know
Electric Boat's Marine Systems revenue hit $16.7 billion in 2025
General Dynamics' Marine Systems unit includes Electric Boat in Groton. It posted $16.7 billion in 2025 revenue, up 17 percent. The unit plans to add 2,250 Groton workers in 2026 as submarine production ramps up.
Source: General Dynamics, Marine Systems 2025 financial results. Checked 29 Sep 2026.
A short lane: you likely won't need the 30-minute break
FMCSA requires a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving without one. This 45-mile lane runs about 1 hour, so most drivers can finish it without a required break.
Source: FMCSA, Summary of Hours of Service Regulations. Checked 29 Sep 2026.
Diesel for this lane
How much is the diesel for Hartford to Groton?
About $44.79 this week. The lane is 45 miles. A truck that gets 6.5 miles per gallon uses about 7 gallons, and diesel is averaging $6.47 a gallon on this lane (week of October 19, 2026). The U.S. average diesel price is up 10 cents this week.
An estimate. It uses EIA's weekly average for this region, not the price at each pump. Your mpg and fuel card discounts change it.
- Distance
- 45 mi
- Diesel needed
- 7 gal
- Price used
- $6.47/gal
- Fuel cost
- $44.79
Common Freight Types
Submarine-manufacturing freight, supplier/component freight and consumer goods fill the trailers heading southeast.
- Defense/Submarine Materials
- Industrial Equipment
- Consumer Goods
What makes the Hartford to Groton lane difficult?
A short-to-medium lane keeps per-load rates in a moderate range
A short-to-medium lane keeps per-load rates in a moderate range.
Submarine-component freight can require specialized handling and security clearances
Submarine-component freight can require specialized handling and security clearances.
Major sub sections are barged from Quonset Point, RI, which means some freight bypasses truck routes entirely
Major sub sections are barged from Quonset Point, RI, which means some freight bypasses truck routes entirely.
What freight moves on the Hartford to Groton lane?
What travels between Hartford and Groton, and why Electric Boat's growth matters here.
Primary Commodities
- •Defense/Submarine Materials
- •Industrial Equipment
- •Consumer Goods
Secondary Commodities
- •Submarine-manufacturing-connected freight (Electric Boat)
- •Supplier/component-connected freight
- •Consumer goods
Seasonal Cargo
Peak seasons for this lane:
- •Submarine-manufacturing freight (steady, growing)
- •Consumer goods (holiday surge)
- •Supplier-component freight (steady)
When is the Hartford to Groton lane busiest?
Steady, growing submarine-manufacturing freight shapes this lane more than any retail calendar.
Q1 (Jan-Mar): Slow Period?
Little seasonal dip; Electric Boat's production runs on a steady, growing schedule.
Q4 (Oct-Dec): Peak Period?
Consumer goods climb modestly from October through December.
Produce Season?
Not applicable; this lane runs on submarine manufacturing.
- •Steady submarine-manufacturing freight year-round
- •Q4 holiday retail season
- •Summer freight demand
Seasonal Strategy Summary
Defense-connected freight into Groton runs steady all year. It ties to Electric Boat's submarine schedule, not any single season.
How do I negotiate the best rate on the Hartford to Groton lane?
When to book, who pays extra, and which loads need security clearance.
When to Book
Suggested booking window:
1-2 days out is typical for this haul.
What Brokers Pay More
Loads that command more:
Time-critical, security-cleared Electric Boat-connected freight tends to pay a premium.
When to Avoid
Loads to price carefully:
Be careful committing to submarine-component freight without confirming security clearance and handling credentials.
Rate Negotiation Tips for Hartford to Groton
- •
Confirm security clearance and handling requirements before hauling freight connected to Electric Boat's submarine-manufacturing operation.
- •
This short lane pairs well with multiple turns in a single day given the roughly 1-hour drive.
- •
Electric Boat's 2,250 planned new Groton hires in 2026 point to steady, growing freight demand.
How do I find a backhaul load on the Hartford to Groton lane?
Electric Boat's rapid growth makes a return load realistic.
Best Return Cities
Where to look for the return load:
- •Groton, CT
- •Regional distribution hubs near Groton
Deadhead Risk %
Deadhead risk on this lane: 10-15%
With 350 Connecticut companies supporting submarine manufacturing and $1.6 billion in recent contracts, there is real backhaul variety.
Alternative Routes
If the first load falls through, try these:
- •Limited direct backhaul volume. Many carriers continue up I-95 into Rhode Island to pick up Providence-area freight rather than deadheading straight back to Hartford
Backhaul Optimization Tips
- •
Electric Boat's massive submarine-production ramp-up keeps steady demand for defense-connected freight.
- •
With about 1 hour of driving each way, multiple round trips in a single day are realistic.
- •
350 Connecticut companies supporting submarine manufacturing add a wide supplier-freight base beyond Electric Boat itself.
What do experienced dispatchers know about the Hartford to Groton lane?
Three notes before this defense-manufacturing run.
This lane pairs well with a same-day or next-day return load.
Confirm security clearance and handling requirements before hauling Electric Boat-connected freight.
Note that major submarine sections move by barge from Quonset Point, RI, not by truck.
Before you book Hartford to Groton, confirm security clearance and handling requirements for any Electric Boat-connected freight.
Hartford to Groton Lane FAQs
Answers on drive time, Electric Boat's growth, and security clearance.
The lane data shows about $130 - $149 per load, or $2.85 - $3.30 a mile, across 45 miles.
Its Marine Systems division posted $16.7 billion in 2025 revenue, up 17% year-over-year, and is adding 8,000 workers in 2026.
About 1 hour for the 45 miles.
Reasonably, given the 350 Connecticut companies supporting Electric Boat's submarine-manufacturing supply chain.
Other Connecticut freight lanes we dispatch
- Hartford to Stratford
- Hartford to Albany
- Hartford to Baltimore
- Hartford to Washington
- Hartford to New Haven
- Hartford to Stamford
Local resources
Dry Van owner-operator, Midwest: +$1,950/week after moving to $2.65/mi on produce / auto parts freight.
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