Freight Shipping from Baton Rouge to Savannah
Ship freight from Baton Rouge, LA to Savannah, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,696-$2,091, LTL from $634-$1,071. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
789 mi
Drive Time
14 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,696-$2,091
LTL Rate Est.
$634-$1,071
Consumer Goods Corridor
Baton Rouge → Savannah Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
130–151
running this lane
Weekly Loads
35–56
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
65/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$6–$10 one-way passing through LA, GA. 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.
Baton Rouge to Savannah Freight Corridor
Baton Rouge is the heart of the Louisiana petrochemical corridor, a 100-mile stretch of refineries and chemical plants along the Mississippi River between here and New Orleans that locals call "Cancer Alley." ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge refinery is the largest in the United States, processing 502,000 barrels per day and generating a massive flow of tanker trucks carrying refined products to terminals across the Southeast. The concentration of chemical manufacturing creates one of the densest hazmat freight markets in the world.
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 Baton Rouge-to-Savannah corridor spans 789 miles via I-10, I-12, I-16, I-95. This lane connects petrochemical refining and chemical manufacturing freight from the Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge's economy is driven by petrochemical refining, chemical manufacturing, government, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
refined petroleum products
ethylene & polymers
chemical intermediates
synthetic rubber
pesticides & herbicides
carbon black
What Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Baton Rouge.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Baton Rouge 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.
$1,696-$2,091 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.
$2,249-$2,880 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,485-$3,353 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.
$634-$1,071 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Baton Rouge to Savannah lane (789 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,696-$2,091 | 14 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $634-$1,071 | 16-18 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,564-$3,551 | 10 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,065-$1,460 | 17-19 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Baton Rouge and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery (largest in US)
Dow Chemical
BASF
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Baton Rouge to Savannah
Baton Rouge Seasonal Advisory
Refinery turnaround season (spring and fall) creates equipment freight surges as maintenance contractors mobilize. Hurricane season can shut down refinery operations entirely, followed by massive restart freight. Summer driving season increases refined fuel shipment volumes.
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 789-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 Baton Rouge and Savannah — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Baton Rouge, LA
- Metro Population
- 870K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-10, I-12, I-110
- Rail / Intermodal
- KCS Baton Rouge Terminal
- Port Access
- Port of Greater Baton Rouge (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Port Allen/West Baton Rouge, Denham Springs/I-12 East
“Tanker carriers working the Baton Rouge chemical corridor need multiple endorsements (hazmat, tanker) plus chemical-specific training certifications. Tank wash availability between loads is a constant bottleneck; carriers who plan wash schedules in advance avoid costly 12-24 hour waits at overbooked wash racks.”
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
Backhaul from Savannah to Baton Rouge requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Savannah
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Baton Rouge to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Baton Rouge to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Baton Rouge, LA to Savannah, GA currently range $1,696-$2,091 (roughly $2.18-$2.66 per mile over 789 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $634-$1,071 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 Baton Rouge to Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Baton Rouge to Savannah is approximately 14 hrs by truck over 789 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 KCS Baton Rouge Terminal to NS Savannah Intermodal (Mason Mega Rail) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Baton Rouge to Savannah freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Baton Rouge commonly ships refined petroleum products, ethylene & polymers, chemical intermediates, 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 Baton Rouge?
Moderate backhaul (scored 65/100 based on Savannah's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Savannah to Baton Rouge requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. 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 Baton Rouge to Savannah?
The Baton Rouge-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Baton Rouge's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum products, ethylene & polymers, chemical intermediates, synthetic rubber, pesticides & herbicides, carbon black. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include petrochemical refining and chemical manufacturing from Baton Rouge and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
When are rates highest on the Baton Rouge to Savannah lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to petrochemical refining and chemical manufacturing cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out). 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 Baton Rouge to Savannah
We maintain working relationships with 130+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Baton Rouge–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