Burlington to Boston Truck Dispatch
Freight route connecting Burlington, VT to Boston, MA (215 miles). Connects Burlington to the Northeast's largest consumer market via I-93/I-89.
What do truck dispatch rates run from Burlington to Boston?
Burlington to Boston is a 215-mile lane paying about $548 - $645 per load, near $2.55 - $3.00 a mile. Freight is mostly consumer goods, dairy/specialty-food freight and biotech/distribution-connected freight.
- Distance
- 215 miles
- Avg. rate / load
- $538 - $634
- Rate per mile
- $2.50 - $2.95
- Transit time
- Same day / 4 hrs
- Deadhead risk
- 20-25%
Lane rates reviewed September 2026. These numbers follow 2026 spot-market pricing for this New England corridor. See our dispatch fee structure.
Burlington to Boston
Burlington to Boston is a 215-mile, roughly 3.5-hour run southeast on I-89 and I-93, connecting Vermont's biggest freight gateway to New England's largest metro economy. Vermont's dairy, maple syrup and semiconductor freight base pairs with Boston's dense biotech and distribution network on one of the state's most heavily traveled corridors.
Origin
Burlington, VT
Destination
Boston, MA
Distance
215 miles
Transit Time
Same day / 4 hrs
Average Rate
$538 - $634
Rate per Mile
$2.50 - $2.95
215-mile lane, about 3.5 hours on I-89 and I-93
Connects Vermont's dairy and specialty-food base to Boston's dense metro economy
One of Vermont's most heavily traveled southbound corridors
Burlington to Boston: route facts a driver should know
Burlington's economy centers on the University of Vermont
The University of Vermont, founded in 1791, dominates Burlington's economy and footprint, with about 12,000 students in a city of roughly 45,000 residents.
Source: CNN Travel, Burlington, Vermont city 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 Burlington to Boston?
About $214.01 this week. The lane is 215 miles. A truck that gets 6.5 miles per gallon uses about 33 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
- 215 mi
- Diesel needed
- 33 gal
- Price used
- $6.47/gal
- Fuel cost
- $214.01
Common Freight Types
Consumer goods, dairy/specialty-food freight and biotech/distribution-connected freight fill the trailers heading southeast.
- Dairy Products
- Consumer Goods
- Maple Syrup
What makes the Burlington to Boston lane difficult?
Winter weather exposure is significant across the Green and White Mountains
Winter weather exposure is significant across the Green and White Mountains.
A medium-length lane keeps per-load rates in a moderate range
A medium-length lane keeps per-load rates in a moderate range.
I-93 through the Boston metro can see periodic congestion
I-93 through the Boston metro can see periodic congestion.
What freight moves on the Burlington to Boston lane?
What travels between Burlington and Boston, and why Vermont's dairy base matters here.
Primary Commodities
- •Dairy Products
- •Consumer Goods
- •Maple Syrup
Secondary Commodities
- •Dairy/specialty-food-connected freight (Vermont)
- •Biotech/distribution-connected freight (Boston)
- •Consumer goods
Seasonal Cargo
Peak seasons for this lane:
- •Consumer goods (holiday surge)
- •Dairy/specialty-food freight (steady)
- •Maple syrup-connected freight (late winter/early spring)
When is the Burlington to Boston lane busiest?
Retail timing and Vermont's maple-syrup season both shape this lane.
Q1 (Jan-Mar): Slow Period?
A modest dip after the holidays, cushioned by steady dairy freight.
Q4 (Oct-Dec): Peak Period?
Consumer goods climb from October through December.
Produce Season?
Maple syrup production runs late winter into early spring, adding a distinct Vermont freight category.
- •Q4 holiday retail season
- •Steady dairy/specialty-food freight year-round
- •Fall foliage tourist season
Hurricane Risk?
None. Winter weather across the Green and White Mountains is this corridor's real seasonal risk.
Seasonal Strategy Summary
This lane runs steady year-round, with a seasonal bump around UVM's fall move-in and spring move-out periods.
How do I negotiate the best rate on the Burlington to Boston lane?
When to book, who pays extra, and which loads need a weather plan.
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 dairy and specialty-food-connected freight tends to pay a premium.
When to Avoid
Loads to price carefully:
Be careful committing to a fast winter delivery without checking mountain road conditions.
Rate Negotiation Tips for Burlington to Boston
- •
This is a long haul at 215 miles, so plan for a solid one-day trip.
- •
Port-linked freight is worth asking about on the Boston end.
- •
University-linked freight, tied to UVM's academic calendar, is worth checking on the Burlington end.
How do I find a backhaul load on the Burlington to Boston lane?
Boston's dense distribution network makes a northwestbound 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: 20-25%
With Boston's biotech and grocery-distribution economy at the destination, there is real backhaul variety.
Alternative Routes
If the first load falls through, try these:
- •Use Boston-area reloads toward Worcester or Manchester. Or move south to Providence for a stronger Northeast triangle. Don't deadhead back to Burlington.
Backhaul Optimization Tips
- •
Boston's growing container port gives you real backhaul options.
- •
Burlington's university and regional base keeps northbound loads flowing too.
- •
Give yourself real recovery time after this run before your next dispatch.
What do experienced dispatchers know about the Burlington to Boston lane?
Three notes before this Green Mountains-to-Boston run.
Check Green and White Mountains winter conditions before a late-fall through early-spring run.
Build in a buffer for periodic I-93 congestion near Boston.
This lane pairs well with a same-day or next-day return load.
UVM's academic calendar drives real seasonal freight in Burlington. Worth building a relationship around fall move-in and spring move-out.
Burlington to Boston Lane FAQs
Answers on drive time, Vermont's dairy economy, and winter weather.
The lane data shows about $548 - $645 per load, or $2.55 - $3.00 a mile, across 215 miles.
About 3.5 hours for the 215 miles.
Vermont's dairy, specialty-food and maple-syrup freight moving toward Boston's dense biotech and distribution network.
Reasonably, given Boston's dense distribution network.
Other Vermont freight lanes we dispatch
- Burlington to Montreal
- Burlington to Plattsburgh
- Burlington to Albany
- Burlington to Manchester
- Burlington to Portland
- Burlington 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.
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