How container drayage works in Scranton and Taylor
Norfolk Southern's Taylor terminal, just south of Scranton, brings containers into Northeastern Pennsylvania, now a major warehouse market for New York, New Jersey and New England. Carriers also run port drayage to the New Jersey terminals, about 120 miles away.
- Rail ramp
- NS Taylor Intermodal Terminal
- Warehouses
- Pittston, Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre and Jessup
- Port drayage
- Newark and Elizabeth via I-80 or I-84
- Highways
- I-81, I-84, I-80 and I-476
More about drayage in Scranton / Taylor
Norfolk Southern operates an intermodal terminal in Taylor, just south of Scranton, on its line linking the Northeast with the Midwest and the South. Containers and trailers arrive from Chicago, East Coast ports and other Norfolk Southern markets, and local drayage carriers deliver them to customers in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.
Northeastern Pennsylvania has become a major distribution location for companies serving New York, New Jersey and New England. Warehouses have been built in Pittston, Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre, Jessup and along I-81 and I-84, attracted by land and access to Northeast markets.
Carriers also run port drayage to and from the New York and New Jersey terminals, about 120 miles away via I-80 or I-84, and to the Lehigh Valley.
1
Rail ramp
Railroads
Norfolk Southern · Reading Blue Mountain & Northern · Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad
Main highways
I-81 · I-84 · I-476 PA Turnpike NE Extension · I-80 · US-6
Container terminals and rail ramps in Scranton / Taylor
Where containers are picked up and returned in the Scranton / Taylor area.
Rail ramp
Taylor Intermodal Terminal
Rail ramp · Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern terminal in Taylor, south of Scranton, serving Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Warehouses along I-81 and I-84
The Wyoming Valley and Hazleton area have attracted huge distribution centers for retailers, grocery chains and e-commerce companies. Hazleton in particular has become a logistics hub along I-81 and I-80.
Many of these warehouses receive containers trucked from the New Jersey ports or railed to Taylor. Some transload goods into domestic trailers for delivery across the Northeast. Truck traffic on I-81 and I-80 is heavy, and accidents and weather can cause delays.
Manufacturing and regional industry
Northeastern Pennsylvania has manufacturing in food, plastics, packaging and defense. The Tobyhanna Army Depot and other employers generate specialized freight. Food processors and beverage companies ship products nationwide, and some import ingredients and packaging in containers. The region's anthracite coal history has given way to a more diverse economy centered on logistics and healthcare.
Weather and mountain routes
Winters in Northeastern Pennsylvania bring snow and ice, especially on the Pocono Plateau along I-80 and I-84. Carriers prepare for storms and slower travel. Mountain grades on I-81 and I-476 can affect heavy loads, and carriers plan carefully. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension (I-476) connects Scranton with the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia, with tolls.
From coal country to logistics hub
Northeastern Pennsylvania's Lackawanna and Wyoming valleys were once the heart of the anthracite coal industry, with railroads built to carry coal to New York and Philadelphia. As mining declined, the region searched for new industries, and logistics has become one of its biggest success stories.
Large warehouses now stand on former mine lands and in new industrial parks around Pittston, Jessup, Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre. The region's location within a few hours of New York City, Philadelphia and much of New England makes it attractive to retailers and e-commerce companies.
The Norfolk Southern terminal in Taylor connects this growing market with the rail network, while many containers still arrive by truck from the New Jersey ports along I-80 and I-84.
Port drayage to New Jersey
A round trip between Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Port of New York and New Jersey is about 240 miles and can take most of a working day. Carriers based in the region often start early to reach the terminals before the busiest gate hours and return in time for afternoon deliveries.
Some importers transload containers near the port into 53-foot trailers, which can carry more cargo and reduce the number of trips. Others deliver containers directly to warehouses in Pittston or Hazleton and return the empties to the port. Per diem charges and chassis fees add up on these longer round trips, so efficient scheduling and quick unloading are important to control costs.
Common lanes out of Scranton / Taylor
Approximate one-way highway miles for the runs local carriers quote most often.
Pittston / Wilkes-Barre
Distribution centers along I-81.
15 mi
Hazleton
Major logistics hub at I-81 and I-80.
45 mi
Binghamton, NY
Southern Tier via I-81 North.
60 mi
Allentown / Bethlehem
Lehigh Valley via I-476.
70 mi
Port Newark / Elizabeth
Port drayage via I-80 or I-84.
120 mi
New York City
Via I-80 and I-95.
125 mi
Booking drayage in Scranton / Taylor: what to know
Local habits that change the price and timing of a move in Scranton / Taylor. Mention them when you ask for a quote.
Use the Taylor ramp for rail
Rail via Norfolk Southern can be cheaper than long port truck runs for steady volumes.
Plan around I-81 traffic
Heavy truck traffic can slow I-81. Allow buffer time.
Prepare for snow
The Poconos and mountain routes can be snowy. Keep flexibility in winter.
Compare transload options
Transloading near the ports can reduce haul costs to Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Drayage markets near Scranton / Taylor
Many carriers that serve Scranton / Taylor also run these nearby ports and rail ramps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about container drayage in Scranton / Taylor, PA.