Lane · REEF · Oct 2026

Richmond, VA to Chicago, IL reefer rate

$2,499reefer

−0.3% from last month

Per mile: $3.42
Distance: 730 mi
Typical range: $2,174–$2,824
Transit: 2 days

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Reefer · estimated all-in cost per load · monthly

Richmond to Chicago price history

3 months: +1.8%
1 year: +35.7%
5 years: +3.4%

Cost breakdown

Linehaul: $1,751
Fuel: $748
All-in estimate: $2,499

Return trip

Chicago → Richmond$4,254

This direction runs 41% below the return trip. Leaving VA prices below the national average and arriving in IL prices below it.

Richmond to Chicago by truck type

Estimated cost from Richmond, VA to Chicago, IL by truck type
Truck type	Estimate	Per mile	Typical range
53' dry van	$2,096	$2.87	$1,865 – $2,326
53' refrigerated	$2,499	$3.42	$2,174 – $2,824
48' flatbed	$2,565	$3.51	$2,206 – $2,924
Step deck	$2,802	$3.84	$2,354 – $3,250
Power only	$1,832	$2.51	$1,594 – $2,070
Hotshot	$1,382	$1.89	$1,147 – $1,616
26' box truck	$1,361	$1.86	$1,157 – $1,566
Sprinter van	$838	$1.15	$704 – $972

Live market check

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The index is an estimate. For a price you can act on, ask connected freight providers for a live 53' dry van rate, or send the load details and get quoted for any truck type.

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More lanes from Richmond

53' refrigerated lanes from Richmond, VA
To	Miles	Estimate	Per mile	Typical range	Transit
New York, NY	339 mi	$2,057	$6.07	$1,790 – $2,325	1 d
Los Angeles, CA	2,702 mi	$7,607	$2.82	$6,618 – $8,596	6 d
Houston, TX	1,367 mi	$4,319	$3.16	$3,758 – $4,881	3 d
Phoenix, AZ	2,306 mi	$7,269	$3.15	$6,324 – $8,215	5 d
Philadelphia, PA	251 mi	$1,668	$6.65	$1,452 – $1,885	1 d
San Antonio, TX	1,570 mi	$4,859	$3.10	$4,227 – $5,491	3 d
San Diego, CA	2,651 mi	$7,476	$2.82	$6,504 – $8,448	5 d
Dallas, TX	1,340 mi	$4,248	$3.17	$3,695 – $4,800	3 d

More lanes into Chicago

53' refrigerated lanes into Chicago, IL
From	Miles	Estimate	Per mile	Typical range	Transit
New York, NY	847 mi	$2,918	$3.44	$2,538 – $3,297	2 d
Los Angeles, CA	2,063 mi	$8,194	$3.97	$7,129 – $9,260	4 d
Houston, TX	1,106 mi	$3,391	$3.07	$2,950 – $3,832	3 d
Phoenix, AZ	1,705 mi	$3,983	$2.34	$3,465 – $4,500	4 d
Philadelphia, PA	787 mi	$2,450	$3.11	$2,132 – $2,769	2 d
San Antonio, TX	1,236 mi	$3,715	$3.01	$3,232 – $4,197	3 d
San Diego, CA	2,034 mi	$8,092	$3.98	$7,040 – $9,144	4 d
Dallas, TX	942 mi	$2,983	$3.17	$2,595 – $3,371	2 d

About this lane

How much does it cost to ship a truckload from Richmond, VA to Chicago, IL?

A 53' refrigerated from Richmond, VA to Chicago, IL is estimated at $2,499 all-in in October 2026, or $3.42 a mile over about 730 mi. Quotes typically land between $2,174 and $2,824.

How far is Richmond, VA from Chicago, IL by truck?

About 730 mi by road, estimated from the straight-line distance. A solo driver covers it in roughly 2 days of transit.

How much of the price is fuel?

About $748 of the $2,499 estimate is fuel at the current national diesel price; the remaining $1,751 is linehaul.

Is it cheaper to ship from Chicago, IL to Richmond, VA?

The reverse direction is estimated at $4,254, which makes Richmond, VA to Chicago, IL 41% cheaper. Direction matters because trucks are scarcer leaving some markets than others.

Figures are estimates for a standard full load. Get a firm quote for this lane →