Burlington to Providence Truck Dispatch
Freight route connecting Burlington, VT to Providence, RI (260 miles). Connects Burlington to Rhode Island via I-93/I-95.
What do truck dispatch rates run from Burlington to Providence?
Burlington to Providence is a 260-mile lane paying about $663 - $780 per load, near $2.55 - $3.00 a mile. Freight is mostly consumer goods, petroleum/bulk-cargo freight and dairy/specialty-food freight.
- Distance
- 260 miles
- Avg. rate / load
- $624 - $741
- Rate per mile
- $2.40 - $2.85
- Transit time
- 1 day
- Deadhead risk
- 25-30%
Lane rates reviewed September 2026. These numbers follow 2026 spot-market pricing for this Vermont-to-Rhode Island corridor. See our dispatch fee structure.
Burlington to Providence
Burlington to Providence is a 260-mile, roughly 4.5-hour run southeast, connecting Vermont's biggest freight gateway to one of New England's busiest working deepwater ports. The Port of Providence handles petroleum, construction aggregate and bulk cargo for Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.
Origin
Burlington, VT
Destination
Providence, RI
Distance
260 miles
Transit Time
1 day
Average Rate
$624 - $741
Rate per Mile
$2.40 - $2.85
260-mile lane, about 4.5 hours southeast
The Port of Providence is one of New England's busiest working deepwater ports for petroleum and bulk cargo
A long, well-traveled Vermont-to-Rhode Island corridor
Burlington to Providence: route facts a driver should know
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.
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 Providence?
About $258.80 this week. The lane is 260 miles. A truck that gets 6.5 miles per gallon uses about 40 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
- 260 mi
- Diesel needed
- 40 gal
- Price used
- $6.47/gal
- Fuel cost
- $258.80
Common Freight Types
Consumer goods, petroleum/bulk-cargo freight and dairy/specialty-food freight fill the trailers heading southeast.
- Consumer Goods
- Dairy Products
- Manufacturing Equipment
What makes the Burlington to Providence lane difficult?
The length requires careful hours-of-service planning
The length requires careful hours-of-service planning.
Bulk and petroleum-connected freight can require specialized equipment
Bulk and petroleum-connected freight can require specialized equipment.
Winter weather across Vermont and Massachusetts can affect road conditions
Winter weather across Vermont and Massachusetts can affect road conditions.
What freight moves on the Burlington to Providence lane?
What travels between Burlington and Providence, and why the working-port status matters here.
Primary Commodities
- •Consumer Goods
- •Dairy Products
- •Manufacturing Equipment
Secondary Commodities
- •Petroleum/bulk-cargo-connected freight (Port of Providence)
- •Dairy/specialty-food-connected freight
- •Consumer goods
Seasonal Cargo
Peak seasons for this lane:
- •Consumer goods (holiday surge)
- •Petroleum/bulk freight (steady)
- •Dairy/specialty-food freight (steady)
When is the Burlington to Providence lane busiest?
Retail timing and steady petroleum-connected freight both shape this lane.
Q1 (Jan-Mar): Slow Period?
A modest dip after the holidays, cushioned by steady petroleum-connected freight.
Q4 (Oct-Dec): Peak Period?
Consumer goods and heating-oil-connected freight both climb ahead of winter.
Produce Season?
Maple syrup production runs late winter into early spring, adding a distinct Vermont freight category.
- •Steady petroleum and bulk-cargo freight year-round
- •Q4 holiday retail season
- •Fall foliage tourist season
Seasonal Strategy Summary
This lane runs steady year-round, without a major seasonal swing to plan around.
How do I negotiate the best rate on the Burlington to Providence lane?
When to book, who pays extra, and which loads need special equipment.
When to Book
Suggested booking window:
2-3 days out is typical for this haul.
What Brokers Pay More
Loads that command more:
Time-critical petroleum and bulk-connected freight tends to pay a premium.
When to Avoid
Loads to price carefully:
Be careful assuming container-connected freight will route through Providence; confirm it isn't routed via NY/NJ or Boston instead.
Rate Negotiation Tips for Burlington to Providence
- •
This is a long haul at 255 miles, so plan for a solid one-day trip.
- •
Port-linked bulk freight, coal, salt, and petroleum, is worth asking about given ProvPort's cargo mix.
- •
University-linked freight out of Burlington is another option here.
How do I find a backhaul load on the Burlington to Providence lane?
Providence's working-port role makes a northwestbound load realistic.
Best Return Cities
Where to look for the return load:
- •Providence, RI
- •Regional distribution hubs near Providence
Deadhead Risk %
Deadhead risk on this lane: 25-30%
With steady petroleum and bulk-cargo volume, there is real backhaul variety.
Alternative Routes
If the first load falls through, try these:
- •Use Providence-to-Boston for the deepest northern return. Use Hartford for a westbound recovery. Or use Worcester to skip some coastal congestion.
Backhaul Optimization Tips
- •
ProvPort's bulk cargo base 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 Providence lane?
Three notes before this working-port corridor run.
Plan your hours-of-service before this multi-hour run.
Confirm specialized equipment before hauling petroleum or bulk-connected freight.
Check Vermont and Massachusetts winter conditions before a late-fall through early-spring run.
ProvPort's petroleum and bulk cargo make this a solid lane for tanker and bulk-freight carriers.
Burlington to Providence Lane FAQs
Answers on drive time, the Port of Providence, and container-freight routing.
The lane data shows about $663 - $780 per load, or $2.55 - $3.00 a mile, across 260 miles.
It's a working port focused on petroleum products, construction aggregate and bulk cargo, not significant container traffic.
About 4.5 hours for the 260 miles.
Reasonably, given the port's steady petroleum and bulk-cargo volume.
Other Vermont freight lanes we dispatch
- Burlington to Plattsburgh
- Burlington to Philadelphia
- Burlington to Boston
- Burlington to Montreal
- Burlington to Albany
- Burlington to Manchester
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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