How container drayage works in the Lehigh Valley
The Lehigh Valley's biggest drayage lane is I-78 to the New Jersey port terminals, feeding huge distribution centers built to serve the Northeast. Norfolk Southern's Bethlehem ramp, on the old Bethlehem Steel site, adds rail moves.
- Rail ramp
- NS Bethlehem Intermodal Terminal
- Port drayage
- Newark and Elizabeth via I-78
- Warehouses
- Along I-78, Route 22 and I-476
- Counties
- Lehigh and Northampton
More about drayage in Allentown / Bethlehem
Norfolk Southern operates an intermodal terminal in Bethlehem, on land that was once part of the Bethlehem Steel works and now hosts industrial parks. Containers and trailers arrive from the Midwest, the South and East Coast ports, and local drayage carriers deliver them to warehouses across Lehigh and Northampton counties.
The bigger part of the Lehigh Valley's drayage, though, is port work. Retailers and e-commerce companies have built massive distribution centers along I-78, Route 22 and I-476 to serve the Northeast, and many of them receive import containers trucked directly from Newark and Elizabeth. The I-78 corridor between the port and the Lehigh Valley is one of the busiest drayage lanes in the country.
Local carriers often run both kinds of moves: short shuttles from the Bethlehem ramp and longer round trips to the New Jersey terminals.
1
Rail ramp
Railroads
Norfolk Southern · Reading Blue Mountain & Northern · Lehigh Valley Rail Management
Main highways
I-78 · US-22 · I-476 Pennsylvania Turnpike NE Extension · PA-33 · PA-309
Container terminals and rail ramps in Allentown / Bethlehem
Where containers are picked up and returned in the Allentown / Bethlehem area.
Rail ramp
Bethlehem Intermodal Terminal
Rail ramp · Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern terminal in Bethlehem on former Bethlehem Steel land, serving the Lehigh Valley warehouse market.
Why warehouses moved to the Lehigh Valley
Land in North Jersey is scarce and expensive, while the Lehigh Valley offers large sites, a skilled workforce and access to tens of millions of consumers within a day's drive. Over the past two decades, millions of square feet of warehouses have been built in places such as Breinigsville, Fogelsville, Bethlehem Township, Hanover Township and Easton.
Big-box retailers, grocery chains, apparel brands and e-commerce companies all run distribution centers here. Some local governments have debated limits on new warehouses, but the region remains a key logistics hub. Because of the volume, truck traffic on I-78 and Route 22 can be heavy, and carriers plan around peak hours.
Port drayage on I-78
A round trip from Newark or Elizabeth to the Lehigh Valley is about 160 miles and can take most of a day in traffic. Carriers often run early-morning or night moves to fit in more trips.
Tolls are minimal on I-78 itself, but carriers coming from the port may use the New Jersey Turnpike. Port fees, chassis costs and per diem also add to the total cost. Some importers transload goods near the port into 53-foot trailers to save money on the haul to Pennsylvania, while others deliver containers directly.
Rail options and manufacturing
The Bethlehem terminal gives Lehigh Valley shippers rail access to Norfolk Southern's network, including the Midwest and Southeast. Rail can be cost-effective for domestic freight and some international containers.
Manufacturing remains important, with companies producing trucks, food, chemicals and medical devices. Mack Trucks' plant in Macungie and other manufacturers import components and ship products. Winter weather can bring snow and ice, especially in the hills along I-78, and carriers plan for storms.
Common lanes out of Allentown / Bethlehem
Approximate one-way highway miles for the runs local carriers quote most often.
Breinigsville / Fogelsville
Large distribution cluster along I-78.
15 mi
Easton
Eastern Lehigh Valley and the New Jersey border.
15 mi
Reading
Berks County via US-222.
40 mi
Philadelphia
Southeastern Pennsylvania via I-476.
60 mi
Port Newark / Elizabeth
Port drayage via I-78.
80 mi
Harrisburg
Central Pennsylvania via I-78 West.
85 mi
Booking drayage in Allentown / Bethlehem: what to know
Local habits that change the price and timing of a move in Allentown / Bethlehem. Mention them when you ask for a quote.
Plan port runs around traffic
I-78 can be congested. Early or night moves make the port round trip faster.
Compare transload and direct delivery
Transloading near the port into 53-foot trailers can lower the cost of the haul to Pennsylvania.
Use the Bethlehem ramp for rail
Norfolk Southern rail can be cheaper for domestic and some international freight.
Watch per diem
Long round trips add days to container use. Return empties promptly.
Drayage markets near Allentown / Bethlehem
Many carriers that serve Allentown / Bethlehem also run these nearby ports and rail ramps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about container drayage in Allentown / Bethlehem, PA.