150 miles · Est. 2.4 hours · Avg $2.60/mile · Gross $390
Day-Trip Economics
Fuel Estimate
$56
Based on avg diesel price
Toll Estimate
$12
Varies by route and state
Net After Costs
$322
Before your other costs
Lane Overview
150
Miles
$2.60
Avg rate/mile
$390
Avg gross rate
moderate
Competition
Baltimore to Richmond southbound on I-95 carries Port of Baltimore's import goods and healthcare products south to Virginia's capital market. Port of Baltimore handles massive vehicle import volumes — Baltimore is the top US port for imported cars — along with general consumer goods and chemicals. Healthcare supplies heading toward Richmond's VCU Health and Bon Secours hospital networks add pharmaceutical freight. Moderate rates at $2.50–$2.70/mile are solid for a 150-mile run.
I-95 south from Baltimore through the Washington DC beltway area is the critical challenge: I-95 through Springfield, VA is known as the Mixing Bowl interchange — one of the most complex in the United States. Commercial vehicles must navigate carefully during rush hours or risk getting routed into restricted DC-area roads. The Virginia I-95 corridor south of Springfield through Fredericksburg is heavily patrolled. Richmond approach on I-95 through the Henrico County area — most receivers are in the Deepwater Terminal and Westover Hills industrial corridors. Return Richmond to Baltimore (Lane 47) brings tobacco and food goods northbound.
Driver Tip
Short lane, fast turn. Margin on short runs is unforgiving. Use our Load Profitability Calculator to verify this load covers your costs before accepting.
What Moves on This Lane
Common Equipment
Return Freight
Richmond to Baltimore
150 miles · $2.65/mile avg
Similar Routes
Driver's Complete Guide
Baltimore to Richmond sounds like a straightforward 150-mile I-95 run. And it is — except for the 35 miles through the Washington DC beltway that sits in the middle of it. The Springfield Mixing Bowl, I-495 through Northern Virginia, and the Fredericksburg bottleneck south of DC are where this lane either goes smoothly or costs you three hours. Drivers who know the DC-area timing run this efficiently. Everyone else treats it like a risk and prices accordingly — which actually helps your rate negotiation.
Port of Baltimore is America's top port for imported vehicles — millions of cars per year come through Dundalk Marine Terminal and other facilities. Non-vehicle port cargo includes consumer goods from Europe and Asia, chemical products, and heavy machinery. Healthcare supplies heading to VCU Health System — one of Virginia's largest academic medical centers — and Bon Secours Health System's Richmond hospitals are a pharmaceutical component. Virginia state government freight heading to the capital area is a steady institutional load type.
I-95 south from Baltimore to the DC beltway (I-495). Here's where timing matters absolutely. The Springfield Mixing Bowl — where I-95, I-395, I-495, and I-66 all converge — is classified as one of America's most complex interchanges. During rush hour (6–9am and 4–7pm weekdays), truck transit through this area can add 60–90 minutes. Plan your departure from Baltimore for either before 5:30am or after 7pm to transit the DC area cleanly. South of Springfield on I-95, Fredericksburg is another consistent bottleneck — less severe than Springfield but real. Virginia State Police run I-95 south of Fredericksburg aggressively. Richmond approach on I-95 via the Henrico County corridor into the city — Deepwater Terminal and Westover Hills are east and southwest of downtown respectively.
At $2.50–$2.70/mile with $12 in tolls, the DC transit risk justifies the moderate-strong rate. Carriers who can guarantee consistent on-time delivery despite the DC traffic variables command direct shipper relationships and better rates. The healthcare freight component pushes toward $2.70.
Richmond to Baltimore northbound brings tobacco products (Richmond is home to Altria/Philip Morris USA headquarters), food goods, and consumer merchandise back north at comparable rates. The return is reliable.
Is there any way to avoid the Springfield Mixing Bowl entirely?
You can use I-295 to bypass Washington DC entirely — going around the east side through Maryland and into Virginia via the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. This adds 20–30 miles but avoids the Springfield interchange completely. During peak rush, that's often faster than attempting Springfield.
Where exactly is the Deepwater Terminal in Richmond for port cargo delivery?
Richmond Marine Terminal is on the James River in the Fulton Bottom neighborhood, east of downtown Richmond. Commercial vehicle access is off East Main Street or Williamsburg Road. Confirm dock appointment before arrival.
How heavily does Virginia State Police work I-95 south of Fredericksburg?
Very heavily. The I-95 corridor between Fredericksburg and Richmond is a consistent speed enforcement zone. Commercial vehicles get extra scrutiny. Run 70mph and stay in the right lane unless passing.
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