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Newark, NJ to Chicago, IL Freight Lane
I-80 · 780 Miles

Newark, NJ → Chicago, IL

$2.60-$3.05/mile
Distance
780 mi
Route
I-80
Backhaul
excellent
Freight Types
3

Route Details

Part of Corridor

I-80 Northern Corridor

I-80 · 2,900 total miles · east west

Origin State

New Jersey Trucking

New Jersey is the gateway to the massive New York metro market and Northeast Corridor. The Port of Newark is the largest...

Destination State

Illinois Trucking

Illinois, anchored by Chicago, is America's central freight hub. Chicago is the largest rail terminal in the world and a...

Interstate Route

I-80

780 miles from Newark, NJ to Chicago, IL

Freight on This Lane

The dominant freight categories moving between Newark, NJ and Chicago, IL

Retail & Consumer Goods

Retail freight is the backbone of dry van trucking, representing $190+ billion in annual US transportation spend across 12 million truckloads per year...

+0% (baseline) vs dry vanLearn more →

Electronics & Technology

Electronics freight moves $95+ billion in consumer electronics, components, data center hardware, and semiconductor products across 2.8 million US tru...

+25-60% vs dry vanLearn more →

Pharmaceuticals & Medical

Pharmaceutical freight is the highest-value, most regulated category in trucking, with the average load valued at $750,000-$2.5 million and some gene ...

+50-120% vs dry vanLearn more →

Rate Breakdown

Low Season
$2.60
per mile
Peak Season
$3.05
per mile
Est. Gross (Low)
$2,028
per trip (780 mi)
Est. Gross (Peak)
$2,379
per trip (780 mi)

Seasonal Patterns

Westbound from Newark stays busy year-round thanks to port freight from Newark/Elizabeth. Holiday imports (August-November) drive 15-20% rate increases. Pharmaceutical cold chain from the NJ corridor is year-round premium freight at $3.00-$3.50/mile.

Backhaul Guide

Return load strategy for the Chicago, IL to Newark, NJ direction

Backhaul Quality:
Excellent

Chicago to Newark eastbound is premium freight — auto parts from the Indiana/Ohio manufacturing belt, agricultural products from the Midwest, and consumer goods redistribution. Rates average $2.70-$3.10/mile with same-day reload availability from the Joliet logistics hub.

Compatible Truck Types

Equipment types that run profitably on this lane

🚚

Dry Van Dispatch

View details →
❄️

Reefer Dispatch

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Dispatcher Tip

The George Washington Bridge approach adds 1-3 hours on weekdays. Route via I-78 to I-80 instead of through the city. The I-80/I-76 split near Youngstown, OH backs up during steel shift changes — transit before 6 AM or after 8 PM. Ohio Turnpike (I-80) tolls are $28 one way — budget for it but the time savings over I-70 is worth it.

Newark, NJ to Chicago, IL FAQ

Common questions about this freight lane

What kind of freight moves from Newark to Chicago?+
Port import redistribution makes up 40% of this lane — containers unloaded at Port Newark get drayed to warehouses, then shipped inland on dry van at $2.70-$2.95/mile. Pharmaceutical cold chain from the NJ/PA pharma corridor pays $3.00-$3.50/mile on reefer. Retail goods from Edison/Cranbury distribution centers round out the volume.
Are there many tolls on the Newark to Chicago route?+
Yes, this is one of the heaviest toll corridors. New Jersey Turnpike: $14 (Newark to PA border). Pennsylvania Turnpike: $45-$55 depending on entry/exit. Ohio Turnpike: $28. Indiana Toll Road: $16. Total: $100-$115 one way. A commercial E-ZPass/I-PASS saves 10-15%. Factor tolls into your rate negotiation.
Is the Newark to Chicago lane good for new carriers?+
Yes, this is one of the best starter lanes. Freight is consistent, distances are manageable for 1-day runs with a team or 2-day solo, and both endpoints have massive freight markets. The Lehigh Valley, PA (between Newark and Ohio) is a great mid-point relay hub with Amazon, FedEx, and UPS distribution centers.

Related Lanes

2015 mi · I-80 / I-15

Chicago, IL → Los Angeles, CA

$2.20-$2.75/mi
185 mi · I-70

Pittsburgh, PA → Columbus, OH

$2.70-$3.15/mi
345 mi · I-80 / I-90

Chicago, IL → Cleveland, OH

$2.65-$3.10/mi
1000 mi · I-80 / I-76

Chicago, IL → Denver, CO

$2.50-$3.05/mi

Get Dispatched on the Newark, NJ to Chicago, IL Lane

Our dispatchers know this lane inside and out. 6% commission, no contracts, and we pre-book your backhaul before you depart.

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