Burlington to Portland Truck Dispatch
Freight route connecting Burlington, VT to Portland, ME (190 miles). Connects Burlington to Maine's seafood/manufacturing base via US-2.
What do truck dispatch rates run from Burlington to Portland?
Burlington to Portland is a 190-mile lane paying about $494 - $580 per load, near $2.60 - $3.05 a mile. Freight is mostly consumer goods, port-connected freight and dairy/specialty-food freight.
- Distance
- 190 miles
- Avg. rate / load
- $466 - $551
- Rate per mile
- $2.45 - $2.90
- Transit time
- Same day / 3.5-4 hrs
- Deadhead risk
- 20-25%
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.
Burlington to Portland
Burlington to Portland is a 190-mile, roughly 3.5-hour run east, connecting Vermont's biggest freight gateway to Maine's main cargo port. The Port of Portland handles approximately 22 million tons of cargo annually and expects container shipping to grow 10% in the coming fiscal year.
Origin
Burlington, VT
Destination
Portland, ME
Distance
190 miles
Transit Time
Same day / 3.5-4 hrs
Average Rate
$466 - $551
Rate per Mile
$2.45 - $2.90
190-mile lane, about 3.5 hours east
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
Burlington to Portland: 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, with volume more than doubling 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.
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.
Diesel for this lane
How much is the diesel for Burlington to Portland?
About $189.12 this week. The lane is 190 miles. A truck that gets 6.5 miles per gallon uses about 29 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
- 190 mi
- Diesel needed
- 29 gal
- Price used
- $6.47/gal
- Fuel cost
- $189.12
Common Freight Types
Consumer goods, port-connected freight and dairy/specialty-food freight fill the trailers heading east.
- Consumer Goods
- Seafood
- Dairy Products
What makes the Burlington to Portland 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 across the White Mountains can affect road conditions from November through March
Winter weather across the White Mountains 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 Burlington to Portland lane?
What travels between Burlington and Portland, and why the port's growth outlook matters here.
Primary Commodities
- •Consumer Goods
- •Seafood
- •Dairy Products
Secondary Commodities
- •Port import/export-connected freight (Port of Portland)
- •Dairy/specialty-food-connected freight
- •Consumer goods
Seasonal Cargo
Peak seasons for this lane:
- •Consumer goods (holiday import surge)
- •Port-connected freight (steady, growing)
- •Dairy/specialty-food freight (steady)
When is the Burlington to Portland lane busiest?
Import timing and Vermont's maple-syrup season 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?
Maple syrup production runs late winter into early spring, adding a distinct Vermont freight category.
- •Q4 holiday import season
- •Steady port-connected freight year-round
- •Fall foliage tourist season
Seasonal Strategy Summary
This lane runs steady year-round, with a seasonal bump in reefer freight during Maine's lobster harvest.
How do I negotiate the best rate on the Burlington to Portland lane?
When to book, who pays extra, and which loads need reefer capacity.
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 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 White Mountains road conditions.
Rate Negotiation Tips for Burlington to Portland
- •
This is a long haul at 215 miles, so plan for a solid one-day trip.
- •
Port-linked freight and live seafood are worth asking about on the Portland end.
- •
University-linked freight out of Burlington is another option here.
How do I find a backhaul load on the Burlington to Portland lane?
The Port of Portland's growth outlook makes a westbound load realistic.
Best Return Cities
Where to look for the return load:
- •Portland, ME
- •Regional distribution hubs near Portland
Deadhead Risk %
Deadhead risk on this lane: 20-25%
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:
- •Use Portland-to-Manchester/Boston for the strongest southbound recovery. Or continue north to Bangor when Maine freight pays better.
Backhaul Optimization Tips
- •
Portland's port and seafood freight base gives you real backhaul options.
- •
Burlington's university and regional base keeps westbound loads flowing too.
- •
Give yourself real recovery time after this run before your next dispatch.
What do experienced dispatchers know about the Burlington to Portland lane?
Three notes before this Maine port corridor run.
Check White Mountains winter conditions before a late-fall through early-spring run.
Confirm reefer temperature requirements before hauling frozen-seafood or cold-storage-connected freight.
This lane pairs well with a same-day or next-day return load.
If you haul reefer, Maine's lobster season (August through November) is worth building a seasonal relationship around.
Burlington to Portland Lane FAQs
Answers on drive time, the Port of Portland's growth, and cold-storage freight.
The lane data shows about $494 - $580 per load, or $2.60 - $3.05 a mile, across 190 miles.
Approximately 22 million tons annually, with container shipping expected to grow 10% in the coming fiscal year.
About 3.5 hours for the 190 miles.
Reasonably, given the port's growth outlook.
Other Vermont freight lanes we dispatch
- Burlington to Hartford
- Burlington to Manchester
- Burlington to New York
- Burlington to Rutland
- Burlington to Springfield
- Burlington to Sherbrooke
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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