Shipping a Car from Philadelphia, PA to Allentown, PA
A 57-mile trip heading northwest, entirely within Pennsylvania: that is Philadelphia to Allentown. A carrier needs about one day on the road at the usual 500 miles a day, and we estimate 1–2 days in transit once the car is loaded. Demand is moderate, so pickup windows are usually easy to fill.
What Philadelphia to Allentown Costs
A sedan on an open trailer is priced at about $350–$370, which is essentially the carrier minimum for a 57-mile hop. At this distance the carrier minimum drives the price more than the mileage does. SUVs and pickups usually add about 12% ($390–$415); enclosed sedan transport is $510–$535, roughly 45% more than open. Delivery to Newark, 66 miles from Allentown, would be $350–$370. A comparable-length trip, Buffalo, NY to Rochester, NY (80 mi), is priced at $350–$370. If you can start from New York City (81 mi away) the estimate is $350–$370, within a few dollars.
| Transport Type | Car Type | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $350–$370 | Lowest cost, most common |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $390–$415 | Larger vehicles, same trailers |
| Open | Minivan | $390–$415 | Larger vehicles, same trailers |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $510–$535 | Maximum protection from weather and debris |
Figures assume a standard sedan; actual quotes vary with pickup and drop-off points, condition and season.
Timing and Seasonality
With only 57 miles between Philadelphia and Allentown, weather matters less than carrier availability; a local operator or single-car trailer can sometimes be quicker and cheaper. Start getting quotes roughly two weeks ahead for a move of 57 miles. Across Pennsylvania expect snow on the Allegheny mountain grades.
The Route and Corridor
Both cities are in Pennsylvania, so there are no state lines to plan around. Pennsylvania: the tolled Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) and I-80 cross long hilly stretches.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in Philadelphia. Carriers usually load around I-676, I-76 and I-95. Delaware River port city with I-76, I-95 and I-676 and tight rowhouse streets. Drivers often use the Philadelphia International Airport area as a staging reference. Truck restrictions here usually push the handoff to a nearby wide street or lot.
Delivery in Allentown. Allentown sits on busy trucking corridors, which helps with availability. Lehigh Valley International Airport is the usual reference point for staging in the area. Lehigh Valley warehouse and logistics center within a day's truck run of both New York and Philadelphia.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Remove loose items. Personal belongings are usually not insured in transit; clear the cabin before pickup in Philadelphia.
- Be flexible on the date. A four-day pickup window lets dispatchers slot your car into a load heading northwest.
- Vet the carrier. Check the MC number on safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and get insurance terms in writing before paying a deposit.