
Richmond to New York Truck Dispatch
Freight route connecting Richmond, VA to New York, NY (330 miles). The Northeast's largest consumer market, reached via I-95.
What do truck dispatch rates run from Richmond to New York?
Richmond to New York is a 330-mile lane paying about $842 - $974 per load, near $2.55 - $2.95 a mile. Freight is mostly consumer goods, port-connected freight and industrial equipment.
- Distance
- 330 miles
- Avg. rate / load
- $841 - $974
- Rate per mile
- $2.55 - $2.95
- Transit time
- Same day / 6 hrs
- Deadhead risk
- 20-25%
Lane rates reviewed September 2026. These numbers follow 2026 spot-market pricing and shift with fuel prices and Northeast congestion. See our dispatch fee structure.
Richmond to New York
Richmond to New York is a 330-mile, roughly 5.5-hour run north on I-95, connecting Virginia's freight hub to the busiest port complex on the East Coast. The Port of New York and New Jersey handles the largest container volume on the East Coast, and this corridor runs almost entirely on I-95, one of the most heavily traveled freight routes in the country.
Origin
Richmond, VA
Destination
New York, NY
Distance
330 miles
Transit Time
Same day / 6 hrs
Average Rate
$841 - $974
Rate per Mile
$2.55 - $2.95
330-mile lane, about 5.5 hours almost entirely on I-95
The Port of New York and New Jersey handles the largest container volume on the East Coast
Richmond sits within 500 miles of over 50% of the US population

Richmond to New York: route facts a driver should know
The Port of NY/NJ is the busiest East Coast container gateway
The Port of New York and New Jersey handled 8.7 million TEUs in 2024, up 11% from the year before and its third-busiest year ever.
Source: North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, citing Port Authority data. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
New Jersey has the densest warehouse market in the country
New Jersey holds more than 1.2 billion square feet of industrial space along the I-95/New Jersey Turnpike corridor between Newark and Trenton, giving it the highest warehouse density per square mile in the US.
Source: North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
Diesel for this lane
How much is the diesel for Richmond to New York?
About $310.91 this week. The lane is 330 miles. A truck that gets 6.5 miles per gallon uses about 51 gallons, and diesel is averaging $6.12 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 the two regions this lane connects, not the price at each pump. Your mpg and fuel card discounts change it.
- Distance
- 330 mi
- Diesel needed
- 51 gal
- Price used
- $6.12/gal
- Fuel cost
- $310.91
Common Freight Types
Consumer goods, port-connected freight and industrial equipment fill the trailers heading north.
- Consumer Goods
- Retail Distribution
- Import Cargo




What makes the Richmond to New York lane difficult?
I-95 through the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast can see heavy, unpredictable congestion
I-95 through the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast can see heavy, unpredictable congestion.
A medium-length lane keeps per-load rates in a moderate range
A medium-length lane keeps per-load rates in a moderate range.
Winter weather in the Northeast can affect delivery schedules from December through March
Winter weather in the Northeast can affect delivery schedules from December through March.
What freight moves on the Richmond to New York lane?
What travels between Richmond and New York, and why the Port of NY/NJ matters here.
Primary Commodities
- •Consumer Goods
- •Retail Distribution
- •Import Cargo
Secondary Commodities
- •Port import-connected freight (Port of NY/NJ)
- •Consumer goods
- •Industrial equipment
Seasonal Cargo
Peak seasons for this lane:
- •Consumer goods (holiday surge)
- •Port-connected freight (steady)
- •Industrial equipment (steady)
When is the Richmond to New York lane busiest?
Retail timing and Northeast winter weather 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 and consumer-goods freight both climb sharply ahead of the holidays.
Produce Season?
Not a major factor on this lane.
- •Q4 holiday import and retail season
- •Summer freight demand
- •Steady port-connected freight year-round
Seasonal Strategy Summary
Freight on this lane picks up ahead of the holiday season, roughly August through November, as import volume through the port ramps up for retail restocking.
How do I negotiate the best rate on the Richmond to New York lane?
When to book, who pays extra, and which loads need a congestion buffer.
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 port import-connected freight tends to pay a premium.
When to Avoid
Loads to price carefully:
Be careful committing to a tight Northeast delivery window without a congestion buffer.
Rate Negotiation Tips for Richmond to New York
- •
This is a long haul at 330 miles up I-95, so plan for a solid one-day trip.
- •
Port-linked import and export freight through the NY/NJ port complex tends to keep demand strong on this lane.
- •
Give yourself extra time and budget for tolls once you hit the NYC metro area.
How do I find a backhaul load on the Richmond to New York lane?
The Port of New York and New Jersey's massive volume makes a southbound load realistic.
Best Return Cities
Where to look for the return load:
- •New York, NY
- •Regional distribution hubs near New York
Deadhead Risk %
Deadhead risk on this lane: 20-25%
With the East Coast's largest port complex at the destination, backhaul options are strong.
Alternative Routes
If the first load falls through, try these:
- •The Northeast Corridor's overall freight density keeps backhaul availability strong, especially retail and consumer goods freight heading south.
Backhaul Optimization Tips
- •
New Jersey's dense warehouse corridor gives you strong backhaul odds heading south.
- •
Richmond's own growing distribution base keeps northbound freight flowing too.
- •
NYC-area traffic is heavy nearly all day. Build that into your backhaul pickup schedule.
What do experienced dispatchers know about the Richmond to New York lane?
Three notes before this I-95 run.
Build in significant buffer time for I-95 congestion through the Northeast.
This lane pairs well with a same-day or next-day return load.
Check Northeast winter weather conditions from December through March.
Budget real time and money for NYC-metro tolls and traffic. They add up fast on this Northeast run.
Richmond to New York Lane FAQs
Answers on drive time, the Port of NY/NJ, and Northeast congestion.
The lane data shows about $842 - $974 per load, or $2.55 - $2.95 a mile, across 330 miles.
It handles the largest container volume on the East Coast, keeping this lane's backhaul freight steady.
About 5.5 hours for the 330 miles, almost entirely on I-95.
Yes, generally, given the port complex's massive import volume.
Other Virginia freight lanes we dispatch
- Richmond to Philadelphia
- Richmond to Atlanta
- Richmond to Charleston
- Richmond to Columbus
- Richmond to Chicago
- Richmond to Nashville
Local resources
Also serving the other end of this lane
Dry Van owner-operator, Southeast: +$2,550/week after moving to $2.85/mi on automotive parts / retail / beverage freight.
Read the case studyNeed help running Richmond, VA to New York, NY consistently?
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