Freight Shipping from Allentown to Savannah
Ship freight from Allentown, PA to Savannah, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,862-$2,295, LTL from $676-$1,136. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
866 mi
Drive Time
16 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,862-$2,295
LTL Rate Est.
$676-$1,136
Industrial Freight Lane
Allentown → Savannah Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
132–146
running this lane
Weekly Loads
34–53
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
69/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$24–$40 one-way passing through PA, GA, VA, OH, NC. 2 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Allentown to Savannah Freight Corridor
The Lehigh Valley has exploded into one of the East Coast's premier distribution corridors, with over 100 million square feet of warehouse space concentrated along I-78. The region's position — 80 miles from New York City and 60 miles from Philadelphia — makes it the ideal last-mile staging area for the entire Northeast megalopolis. The former Bethlehem Steel site has been transformed into a 3,000-acre logistics and commerce center, symbolizing the Valley's shift from heavy industry to distribution.
The Port of Savannah's Garden City Terminal is the largest single-operator container terminal in North America, and it has reshaped Southeast freight flows over the past decade. Georgia Ports Authority's $3 billion investment in the Mason Mega Rail terminal allows double-stacked trains to reach Midwestern markets in under 48 hours, pulling volume away from East Coast competitors. For a metro of just 400K people, Savannah moves a staggering amount of freight — container volumes rivaling ports in metros 10 times its size.
The Allentown-to-Savannah corridor spans 866 miles via I-78, US-22, I-16, I-95. This lane connects logistics & distribution and food processing freight from the Allentown market to port operations and logistics & warehousing demand in Savannah. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Allentown
Allentown's economy is driven by logistics & distribution, food processing, healthcare, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
consumer packaged goods
cement & concrete products
processed foods
medical supplies
snack foods (Utz)
retail merchandise
What Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Allentown.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Allentown and Savannah, these equipment types best serve this corridor.
Dry Van (FTL)
Ideal for palletized consumer goods, electronics, packaged foods, and general merchandise. Enclosed protection from weather and theft.
$1,862-$2,295 estimated for this lane
Flatbed
Best for steel, lumber, machinery, building materials, and oversized loads that cannot be palletized or loaded through standard dock doors.
$2,468-$3,161 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,728-$3,681 estimated for this lane
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
Cost-effective for shipments under 10,000 lbs or fewer than 10 pallets. Shared trailer space with other shippers reduces cost for smaller loads.
$676-$1,136 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Allentown to Savannah lane (866 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,862-$2,295 | 16 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $676-$1,136 | 18-20 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,815-$3,897 | 10 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,169-$1,602 | 19-21 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Allentown and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx Ground (regional hub)
Amazon ABE Fulfillment
Utz Brands (Hanover)
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Allentown to Savannah
Allentown Seasonal Advisory
E-commerce fulfillment drives a massive Q4 surge — Amazon and FedEx Ground ramp seasonal staffing and truck volume by 40-60% from October through December. Cement and construction material shipments peak March through November.
Savannah Seasonal Advisory
Import peak season (August-November) for holiday retail. Kaolin clay shipments from middle Georgia mines run year-round. Paper mill production is steady but dips slightly during summer maintenance shutdowns.
Overnight Transit
This 866-mile route typically requires one overnight stop for a solo driver. Schedule pickup before noon for next-day delivery in most cases.
Book Early for Best Rates
Spot market rates fluctuate daily. Booking 3-5 days in advance typically saves 10-15% compared to same-day or next-day freight requests. For recurring shipments, ask about contract rates.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Allentown and Savannah — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Allentown, PA
- Metro Population
- 860K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.00-$2.35/mi
- Key Highways
- I-78, US-22, I-476
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Bethlehem Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- Lehigh Valley Industrial Park (I-78), Upper Macungie Township, Bethlehem Commerce Center (former Steel site)
“Lehigh Valley's warehouse density means carriers can almost always find backhaul loads within 15 minutes of any delivery. The I-78 corridor between Allentown and the New Jersey ports functions as a continuous conveyor belt of import deconsolidation freight.”
Destination
Savannah, GA
- Metro Population
- 404K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-16, I-95, US-80
- Rail / Intermodal
- NS Savannah Intermodal (Mason Mega Rail); CSX Savannah Terminal
- Port Access
- Port of Savannah/Garden City Terminal (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- West Chatham/I-16, Pooler/I-95, Garden City Terminal area
“Savannah's port is the "relief valve" for East Coast shippers frustrated with congestion at New York/New Jersey and Charleston. During port disruptions elsewhere, Savannah volumes spike 20-30%, creating sudden carrier demand that pushes spot rates well above contract levels.”
Return Loads from Savannah
Savannah generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Allentown is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Savannah
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Allentown to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Allentown to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Allentown, PA to Savannah, GA currently range $1,862-$2,295 (roughly $2.18-$2.66 per mile over 866 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $676-$1,136 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced on this corridor, so booking 3-5 days out locks in the best pricing. Request a custom quote for exact rates.
How long does freight take from Allentown to Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Allentown to Savannah is approximately 16 hrs by truck over 866 miles, with 2 typical fuel stops along the corridor. LTL shipments add 2-4 business days due to terminal transfers. Expedited service with team drivers can reduce FTL transit by up to 40%. Intermodal rail-truck service via Norfolk Southern Bethlehem Intermodal to NS Savannah Intermodal (Mason Mega Rail) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Allentown to Savannah freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Allentown commonly ships consumer packaged goods, cement & concrete products, processed foods, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Savannah commonly receives containerized imports, automobiles, machinery. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Savannah to Allentown?
Strong backhaul (scored 69/100 based on Savannah's outbound commodity mix). Savannah generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Allentown is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Savannah's top outbound commodities — containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Allentown to Savannah?
The Allentown-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. Allentown's top outbound commodities include consumer packaged goods, cement & concrete products, processed foods, medical supplies, snack foods (Utz), retail merchandise. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution and food processing from Allentown and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
When are rates highest on the Allentown to Savannah lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to logistics & distribution and food processing cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Allentown to Savannah
We maintain working relationships with 132+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Allentown–Savannah corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts