Portland to Boston Truck Dispatch
Freight route connecting Portland, ME to Boston, MA (110 miles). Short, dependable corridor with the most reliable two-way freight in the state via I-95.
What do truck dispatch rates run from Portland to Boston?
Portland to Boston is a 110-mile lane paying about $292 - $341 per load, near $2.65 - $3.10 a mile. Freight is mostly consumer goods, port-connected freight and frozen-seafood/cold-storage freight.
- Distance
- 110 miles
- Avg. rate / load
- $292 - $341
- Rate per mile
- $2.65 - $3.10
- Transit time
- Same day / 2 hrs
- Deadhead risk
- 15-20%
Lane rates reviewed September 2026. These numbers follow 2026 spot-market pricing and reflect the port's expected container growth. See our dispatch fee structure.
Portland to Boston
Portland to Boston is a 110-mile, roughly 2-hour run southwest on I-95, connecting Maine's main cargo port to Massachusetts's biotech and port hub. The Port of Portland handles approximately 22 million tons of cargo annually and expects container shipping to grow 10% in the coming fiscal year, keeping steady freight flowing toward Boston's dense distribution network.
Origin
Portland, ME
Destination
Boston, MA
Distance
110 miles
Transit Time
Same day / 2 hrs
Average Rate
$292 - $341
Rate per Mile
$2.65 - $3.10
110-mile lane, about 2 hours on I-95
The Port of Portland handles approximately 22 million tons of cargo annually
The port expects container shipping to grow 10% in its next fiscal year
Portland to Boston: route facts a driver should know
Portland's port is bucking the national container decline
Portland, Maine's only container terminal, handles about 45,000 TEUs a year, and container volume there has more than doubled over the past five years even as many larger US ports have seen declines.
Source: Transport Topics, Maine port container growth coverage. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
Boston's port just handled its largest ship ever
Conley Terminal, the Port of Boston's only container terminal, grew 6% to 251,500 TEUs in 2024, the year it serviced the largest container ship ever to call there.
Source: Massport, 2024 year in review. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
Diesel for this lane
How much is the diesel for Portland to Boston?
About $109.49 this week. The lane is 110 miles. A truck that gets 6.5 miles per gallon uses about 17 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
- 110 mi
- Diesel needed
- 17 gal
- Price used
- $6.47/gal
- Fuel cost
- $109.49
Common Freight Types
Consumer goods, port-connected freight and frozen-seafood/cold-storage freight fill the trailers heading southwest.
- Lobster & Seafood
- Consumer Goods
- Paper Products
What makes the Portland to Boston 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.
Winter weather in New England can affect road conditions from November through March
Winter weather in New England can affect road conditions from November through March.
Frozen-seafood and cold-storage freight requires strict temperature control
Frozen-seafood and cold-storage freight requires strict temperature control.
What freight moves on the Portland to Boston lane?
What travels between Portland and Boston, and why the port's growth outlook matters here.
Primary Commodities
- •Lobster & Seafood
- •Consumer Goods
- •Paper Products
Secondary Commodities
- •Port import/export-connected freight (Port of Portland)
- •Frozen-seafood/cold-storage-connected freight
- •Consumer goods
Seasonal Cargo
Peak seasons for this lane:
- •Consumer goods (holiday import surge)
- •Port-connected freight (steady, growing)
- •Frozen-seafood/cold-storage freight (steady)
When is the Portland to Boston lane busiest?
Import timing and steady cold-storage freight both shape this lane.
Q1 (Jan-Mar): Slow Period?
A modest dip after the holidays as import volume normalizes.
Q4 (Oct-Dec): Peak Period?
Import-connected freight climbs ahead of the holidays.
Produce Season?
Not a major factor on this lane, though frozen-seafood imports run on their own steady cycle.
- •Q4 holiday import season
- •Steady port-connected freight year-round
- •Summer freight demand
Seasonal Strategy Summary
This lane runs steady year-round, with lobster season from August through November driving extra reefer freight demand out of Portland.
How do I negotiate the best rate on the Portland to Boston lane?
When to book, who pays extra, and which loads need reefer capacity.
When to Book
Suggested booking window:
Same-day to 1-2 days out is typical for this haul.
What Brokers Pay More
Loads that command more:
Time-critical cold-storage and port import-connected freight tends to pay a premium.
When to Avoid
Loads to price carefully:
Be careful committing to a fast winter delivery without checking New England road conditions.
Rate Negotiation Tips for Portland to Boston
- •
At 110 miles, this is a short, quick run.
- •
Port-linked freight is worth asking about on both ends, given both ports' growing container volume.
- •
Live seafood and lobster freight is worth checking too during peak harvest season.
How do I find a backhaul load on the Portland to Boston lane?
Boston's dense distribution network makes a northeastbound load realistic.
Best Return Cities
Where to look for the return load:
- •Boston, MA
- •Regional distribution hubs near Boston
Deadhead Risk %
Deadhead risk on this lane: 15-20%
With container shipping expected to grow 10% in the coming fiscal year, there is real backhaul variety.
Alternative Routes
If the first load falls through, try these:
- •The most reliable backhaul lane in Maine.
- •Pre-book return freight on load boards before you arrive, so you don't sit empty
Backhaul Optimization Tips
- •
Boston's growing container port gives you real backhaul options.
- •
Portland's own port and seafood freight base keeps northbound loads flowing too.
- •
This short lane pairs well with a same-day round trip.
What do experienced dispatchers know about the Portland to Boston lane?
Three notes before this Maine-to-Boston corridor run.
This lane pairs well with a same-day or next-day return load.
Check New England winter conditions before a late-fall through early-spring run.
Confirm reefer temperature requirements before hauling frozen-seafood or cold-storage-connected freight.
If you haul reefer, Maine's lobster season (August through November) is worth building a seasonal relationship around.
Portland to Boston Lane FAQs
Answers on drive time, the Port of Portland's growth, and cold-storage freight.
The lane data shows about $292 - $341 per load, or $2.65 - $3.10 a mile, across 110 miles.
Approximately 22 million tons annually, with container shipping expected to grow 10% in the coming fiscal year.
About 2 hours for the 110 miles.
Reasonably, given Boston's dense distribution and biotech network.
Other Maine freight lanes we dispatch
- Portland to Manchester
- Portland to Washington
- Portland to New York
- Portland to Providence
- Portland to Hartford
- Portland to Bangor
Local resources
Also serving the other end of this lane
Dry Van owner-operator, Midwest: +$1,950/week after moving to $2.65/mi on produce / auto parts freight.
Read the case studyNeed help running Portland, ME to Boston, MA consistently?
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