Providence to Groton Truck Dispatch
Freight route connecting Providence, RI to Groton, CT (45 miles). Connects Providence's Electric Boat-adjacent freight base to the Groton submarine facility via I-95.
What do truck dispatch rates run from Providence to Groton?
Providence to Groton is a 45-mile lane paying about $131 - $151 per load, near $2.90 - $3.35 a mile. Freight is mostly defense/shipyard-connected freight, consumer goods and submarine-supply-chain freight.
- Distance
- 45 miles
- Avg. rate / load
- $126 - $146
- Rate per mile
- $2.80 - $3.25
- Transit time
- Same day / 45 min
- Deadhead risk
- 10-15%
Lane rates reviewed September 2026. These numbers follow 2026 spot-market pricing for this short defense-manufacturing corridor. See our dispatch fee structure.
Providence to Groton
Providence to Groton is a very short, 45-mile run southwest on I-95, connecting Rhode Island's biggest freight gateway to the home of General Dynamics Electric Boat. Electric Boat's Marine Systems unit posted $16.7 billion in 2025 revenue, up 17%, and plans to add 2,250 Groton workers in 2026 as it ramps up Virginia and Columbia-class submarine production.
Origin
Providence, RI
Destination
Groton, CT
Distance
45 miles
Transit Time
Same day / 45 min
Average Rate
$126 - $146
Rate per Mile
$2.80 - $3.25
45-mile lane, a short run on I-95
General Dynamics Electric Boat posted $16.7 billion in 2025 Marine Systems revenue, up 17%
Electric Boat plans to add 2,250 workers in Groton in 2026 amid submarine demand
Providence 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 30 Sep 2026.
ProvPort handles cargo at the convergence of Narragansett Bay
ProvPort, Rhode Island's main cargo terminal, covers over 135 acres with seven active piers and rail connections into major US and Canadian networks, handling coal, salt, LPG, and petroleum products.
Source: ProvPort, terminal overview. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
Diesel for this lane
How much is the diesel for Providence 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
Defense/shipyard-connected freight, consumer goods and submarine-supply-chain freight fill the trailers heading southwest.
- Defense/Submarine Materials
- Industrial Equipment
- Consumer Goods
What makes the Providence to Groton lane difficult?
A very short lane keeps per-load rates in a tighter range
A very short lane keeps per-load rates in a tighter range.
Defense-shipyard freight can require security clearance and specialized handling
Defense-shipyard freight can require security clearance and specialized handling.
Competition from the region's carrier base can pressure rates
Competition from the region's carrier base can pressure rates.
What freight moves on the Providence to Groton lane?
What travels between Providence and Groton, and why Electric Boat's growth matters here.
Primary Commodities
- •Defense/Submarine Materials
- •Industrial Equipment
- •Consumer Goods
Secondary Commodities
- •Defense/shipyard-connected freight (Electric Boat)
- •Consumer goods
- •Submarine-supply-chain-connected freight
Seasonal Cargo
Peak seasons for this lane:
- •Defense/shipyard-connected freight (steady, growing)
- •Consumer goods (holiday surge)
- •Submarine-supply-chain freight (steady)
When is the Providence to Groton lane busiest?
Steady defense-shipyard freight shapes this lane more than any retail calendar.
Q1 (Jan-Mar): Slow Period?
Little seasonal dip; Electric Boat's submarine production schedule runs on a steady, year-round basis.
Q4 (Oct-Dec): Peak Period?
Consumer goods climb modestly from October through December.
Produce Season?
Not applicable; this lane runs on defense manufacturing rather than agriculture.
- •Steady defense/shipyard-connected freight year-round
- •Q4 holiday retail season
- •Summer freight demand
Seasonal Strategy Summary
This lane runs steady year-round, tracking Electric Boat's consistent submarine-production schedule.
How do I negotiate the best rate on the Providence to Groton lane?
When to book, who pays extra, and which loads need security clearance.
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, security-cleared shipyard-connected freight tends to pay a premium.
When to Avoid
Loads to price carefully:
Be careful committing to shipyard-connected freight without confirming security clearance and handling credentials.
Rate Negotiation Tips for Providence to Groton
- •
At 40 miles, this is a short, quick run.
- •
Submarine-component and specialized defense freight is worth asking about given Electric Boat's growing Groton workforce.
- •
This short lane pairs well with a same-day round trip.
How do I find a backhaul load on the Providence to Groton lane?
Electric Boat's massive expansion 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 2,250 new Groton workers planned for 2026 and $16.7 billion in 2025 Marine Systems revenue, there is real backhaul variety.
Alternative Routes
If the first load falls through, try these:
- •Limited direct backhaul volume. Many carriers continue toward Hartford or New Haven for better reload options
Backhaul Optimization Tips
- •
Electric Boat's expanding submarine production gives you real backhaul options for specialized freight.
- •
ProvPort's bulk cargo base keeps eastbound loads flowing too.
- •
This lane is short enough for a same-day or next-day backhaul.
What do experienced dispatchers know about the Providence to Groton lane?
Three notes before this defense-manufacturing run.
This lane pairs well with multiple turns in a single day.
Confirm security clearance and handling requirements before hauling shipyard-connected freight.
Check current market rates before committing to a slow-season load.
Electric Boat is adding 2,250 Groton workers in 2026. This is a genuinely growing freight source worth building a long-term relationship around.
Providence to Groton Lane FAQs
Answers on drive time, Electric Boat's growth, and security clearance.
The lane data shows about $131 - $151 per load, or $2.90 - $3.35 a mile, across 45 miles.
Its Marine Systems unit posted $16.7 billion in 2025 revenue, up 17%, and it plans to add 2,250 Groton workers in 2026.
About 1 hour for the 45 miles.
Reasonably, given Electric Boat's massive ongoing expansion and the 350 Connecticut suppliers supporting it.
Other Rhode Island freight lanes we dispatch
- Providence to Richmond
- Providence to Newport
- Providence to Charlotte
- Providence to Boston
- Providence to New York
- Providence to Hartford
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 Providence, RI to Groton, CT consistently?
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