Shipping LTL freight to or from Massachusetts? Rates depend on your specific route, freight class, and how close your pickup or delivery point is to the nearest LTL terminal. Massachusetts is one of the most carrier-dense states in New England, anchored by the Port of Boston and a major freight corridor network — here’s what actually affects your rate.
LTL trucking regulations in Massachusetts
Standard interstate trucking limits apply in Massachusetts: 80,000 lbs gross vehicle weight, 53 feet trailer length, 8 feet width, and 13.5 feet height. Most LTL shipments fall well within these limits — this mainly matters if your freight is unusually large or heavy.
Loads that exceed the standard limits need a commercial truck permit through MassDOT’s OASIS (Oversize/Overweight Permitting and Routing Application). Exact current requirements and online applications are available directly from MassDOT:
What affects your Massachusetts LTL rate
- Freight class — density, handling, and liability determine your NMFC class, the single biggest factor in your rate. See our freight class guide.
- Distance — Massachusetts sits in one of the densest carrier networks in the country, so both short regional moves and long cross-country lanes are well served.
- Terminal proximity — pickup or delivery points near Boston, Worcester, or Springfield typically see the most carrier options and fastest transit; more rural addresses in western Massachusetts or Cape Cod see fewer options.
- Accessorials — liftgate, residential, or inside delivery add to the base rate, same as anywhere else.
Did you know?From 6 real Massachusetts lanes and 31 quotes
-
$255 to arrive one day sooner
Saving a day is not free
On Dennis Port, MA to Charleston, SC, the cheapest quote at $711 took 3 days. The fastest, at 2 days, cost $966. On Tampa, FL to Holliston, MA, 3-day delivery cost $733 against $530 for 4 days.
-
3 carriers had the lowest quote
Three different carriers won six Massachusetts lanes
Central Transport had the lowest quote on four lanes. Estes and XPO each had the lowest quote on one lane. Across the lowest quotes on every lane, 12 different carriers appeared.
-
$258 from lowest to fifth-lowest
Same shipment, quotes $258 apart
For the shipment from Tampa, FL to Holliston, MA, the lowest quote was $530 and the fifth-lowest was $787, a 49% gap. On Newark, NJ to Nahant, MA, all five quotes landed within $35 of each other.
Weather and transit reliability
Massachusetts winters bring regular snow and occasional coastal nor’easters, mainly December through March, which can affect pickup windows and add a day to transit around Boston and the eastern part of the state during major storms. Western Massachusetts (the Berkshires) sees more consistent inland snow than the coast. Outside of storm periods, Massachusetts’ dense carrier network generally keeps transit reliable.
Sample Massachusetts LTL rates by route
Real quotes pulled from our platform for six different Massachusetts lanes — same process, different carriers each time. Rates shift with capacity and fuel costs, so treat these as a snapshot rather than a guarantee for your shipment; get an instant quote for your exact route.
Real quotes by route
Snapshot taken over recent weeks — carriers and pricing change daily.
| Carrier | Service | Transit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Transport | Standard | 4 days | $529.53 |
| ABF Freight | Standard | 5 days | $600.25 |
| FedEx Freight Economy | Freight Economy | 3 days | $732.61 |
| Forward Air | Standard | 3 days | $768.43 |
| Southeastern Freight Lines | STD | 4 days | $787.28 |
| Carrier | Service | Transit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Transport | Standard | 1 day | $355.99 |
| R+L Carriers | STD | 1 day | $357.36 |
| TForce Freight | STD | 1 day | $365.54 |
| ABF Freight | Standard | 3 days | $385.75 |
| FedEx Freight Economy | Standard | 2 days | $391.43 |
| Carrier | Service | Transit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| XPO | Standard | 2 days | $413.16 |
| R+L Carriers | STD | 3 days | $453.73 |
| TForce Freight | STD | 4 days | $517.26 |
| FedEx Freight Economy | Standard | 3 days | $540.27 |
| Saia | Standard | 3 days | $554.18 |
| Carrier | Service | Transit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estes | LTL Standard Transit | 3 days | $711.00 |
| XPO | Standard | 4 days | $745.91 |
| FedEx Freight | Standard | 3 days | $858.59 |
| TForce Freight | STD | 4 days | $962.95 |
| A. Duie Pyle | STD | 2 days | $965.75 |
| ABF Freight | Standard | 5 days | $969.12 |
| Carrier | Service | Transit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Transport | Standard | 1 day | $257.60 |
| XPO | Standard | 1 day | $333.68 |
| A. Duie Pyle | STD | 1 day | $341.24 |
| FedEx Freight Economy | Freight Economy | 2 days | $349.18 |
| TForce Freight | Standard | 1 day | $360.51 |
| Carrier | Service | Transit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Transport | Standard | 3 days | $449.09 |
| XPO | Standard | 2 days | $492.64 |
| FedEx Freight | Standard | 5 days | $496.53 |
| Estes | LTL Standard Transit | 3 days | $506.58 |
| STG Logistics | Standard | 6 days | $537.37 |
Major shipping hubs in Massachusetts
Massachusetts’ carrier terminal network is concentrated around its largest metro areas, which generally means faster pickup windows and more carrier options the closer you are to one of these:
- Boston — the state’s largest city and a major freight destination, anchored by the Port of Boston’s Conley Terminal container port.
- Worcester — Massachusetts’ second-largest city, centrally located along I-90 (the Mass Pike).
- Springfield — western Massachusetts’ main hub, along I-91 and I-90.
- Lowell / Lawrence — northeastern Massachusetts, near the I-495/I-93 corridor and the New Hampshire border.
Highway corridors serving Massachusetts
Massachusetts freight moves through a dense, multi-highway network: I-90 (the Mass Pike), the primary east-west route connecting Boston to Worcester, Springfield, and beyond; I-95/Route 128, a major freight corridor around Boston carrying more than 15,000 trucks a day at some points; I-93, running north-south through Boston; and I-495, the outer highway arcing around the greater Boston area and connecting most of the other interstates. MassDOT specifically identifies the I-495/I-90 interchange as part of a “freight spine” linking the Port of Boston’s Conley Terminal to the wider interstate system.
What Massachusetts shippers move
Massachusetts’ freight mix reflects one of the most distinctive economies in the Northeast. Life sciences and biotechnology are a defining driver — the state is home to over 1,200 life sciences companies, including roughly 500 biotech firms and 75+ pharmaceutical companies, generating steady LTL volume in lab equipment, specialized packaging, and time-sensitive materials. Manufacturing remains significant too, with a workforce of over 250,000 producing everything from electronics to machinery. The Port of Boston and the state’s maritime industry (Gloucester, New Bedford) add container and marine equipment freight to the mix.
Get a Massachusetts LTL quote
Compare live rates from vetted carriers serving Massachusetts.
Get an LTL quote →Massachusetts LTL freight: frequently asked questions
How much does LTL shipping cost to or from Massachusetts?
It depends on your route, freight class, weight, and accessorials. Real Massachusetts lanes in our data range from about $258 for short regional moves to $950+ for longer cross-country hauls. Get an instant quote for your exact shipment.
Do oversized LTL shipments need a permit in Massachusetts?
Only if your load exceeds the standard interstate limits (80,000 lbs, 53 feet long, 8 feet wide, 13.5 feet tall). Commercial truck permits are issued through MassDOT’s OASIS online permitting system.
Which carriers serve Massachusetts?
Most major national LTL carriers serve Massachusetts, with the strongest coverage around Boston, Worcester, and Springfield — availability and pricing vary by exact route.
Does winter weather affect LTL shipping in Massachusetts?
Occasionally. Nor’easters and heavy snow, mainly December through March, can affect pickup windows and add a day to transit around Boston during major storms, though the state’s dense carrier network generally keeps things reliable outside of storm periods.
Is LTL service the same everywhere in Massachusetts?
No. Boston, Worcester, and Springfield have the strongest carrier coverage. Western Massachusetts and Cape Cod generally see fewer carrier options and longer transit times.