Freight Shipping from Boston to Savannah
Ship freight from Boston, MA to Savannah, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,511-$3,095, LTL from $842-$1,393. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,168 mi
Drive Time
21 hrs
FTL Budget Range
$2,511-$3,095
LTL Budget Range
$842-$1,393
Distance is road-adjusted straight-line mileage; drive time assumes 55 mph average including stops. Budget ranges apply a $2.15–$2.65 per-mile dry van band to that distance. These are planning figures, not quotes — live pricing depends on your commodity, equipment, timing and the market that week.
What actually drives the price on Boston → Savannah
Mileage is the starting point, not the answer. Three things move a quote on this corridor more than distance does — what comes back the other way, what season you are shipping in, and what the route costs the driver to run.
Return freight — thin
Savannah is more of an inbound market than an outbound one, at least for the commodities that move toward Boston. Carriers often reposition empty or route through an intermediate market on the way back, and that cost is priced into the forward rate. It is the main reason quotes on this lane can look high relative to the mileage.
Seasonal pressure
- October-December. Retail peak. Dry van capacity tightens nationally ahead of the holidays — booking two or more weeks out is the difference between a normal rate and a scramble.
Cost of running it
Roughly $22–$37 in tolls one way, estimated from published commercial rates in MA, GA, VA, OH, NC, plus about 3 fuel stops at a stop per 380 loaded miles. Exact routing and axle count will shift this.
Booking that saves money
Give more than 48 hours notice and avoid Friday-afternoon pickups. Those two habits save shippers more than negotiating does — a truck booked Tuesday for Thursday prices very differently from the same truck booked Friday morning for that afternoon.
Boston to Savannah Freight Corridor
Boston's freight market is dominated by the biotech and pharmaceutical corridor along the Route 128 belt and Cambridge/Kendall Square. Temperature-controlled pharmaceutical shipments from Moderna, Takeda, and dozens of biotech firms command premium rates and require validated cold-chain documentation. The Port of Boston's Conley Terminal handles 300,000+ TEUs annually but congestion in the Seaport District creates chronic drayage bottlenecks.
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 Boston-to-Savannah corridor spans 1,168 miles via I-95. This lane connects biotech & pharmaceuticals and higher education freight from the Boston 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 Boston
Boston's economy is driven by biotech & pharmaceuticals, higher education, financial services, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
pharmaceuticals
medical devices
seafood (lobster)
tech hardware
defense electronics
biotech samples
What Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Boston.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Boston 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.
$2,511-$3,095 estimated for this lane
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Required for temperature-sensitive freight including fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Maintains precise temperature control throughout transit.
$3,095-$3,913 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.
$3,329-$4,263 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,679-$4,964 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Boston to Savannah lane (1,168 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,511-$3,095 | 21 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $842-$1,393 | 23-25 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,796-$5,256 | 14 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,577-$2,161 | 24-26 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Boston and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
Moderna
Raytheon Technologies
Boston Scientific
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Boston to Savannah
Boston Seasonal Advisory
University move-in/move-out season (August-September and May-June) creates a massive surge in household goods and furniture freight. Heating oil tanker demand spikes November through March.
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.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,168 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 21 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
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 Boston and Savannah — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Boston, MA
- Metro Population
- 4.9M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.50-$2.90/mi
- Key Highways
- I-90, I-93, I-95
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Worcester Road Intermodal; Conley Container Terminal
- Port Access
- Port of Boston (Conley Terminal, 3 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- South Boston Waterfront, Route 128/I-95 Belt, Worcester/I-290 Corridor
“Boston is one of the tightest freight markets in the country due to limited warehouse space, strict delivery windows in congested urban areas, and a shortage of parking for 53-foot trailers. Carriers familiar with the city's delivery restrictions command 15-20% premiums over spot rates.”
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 is more of an inbound market than an outbound one, at least for the commodities that move toward Boston. Carriers often reposition empty or route through an intermediate market on the way back, and that cost is priced into the forward rate. It is the main reason quotes on this lane can look high relative to the mileage.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Savannah
Seasonal Rate Patterns
October-December
Retail peak. Dry van capacity tightens nationally ahead of the holidays — booking two or more weeks out is the difference between a normal rate and a scramble.
Boston to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Boston to Savannah?
As a planning figure, budget $2,511-$3,095 for a full truckload from Boston, MA to Savannah, GA. That is the 1,168-mile lane distance run against a $2.15-$2.65 per-mile dry van range, which is a broad industry band rather than a live quote for your freight. LTL lands roughly $842-$1,393 depending on freight class, weight and dimensions. Real pricing moves with fuel, season, equipment type and how much notice you give — a lane like this can quote well outside that band in a tight week. Send us the details and we will price it against what carriers are actually accepting right now.
How long does freight take from Boston to Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Boston to Savannah is approximately 21 hrs by truck over 1,168 miles, with 3 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 CSX Worcester Road Intermodal to NS Savannah Intermodal (Mason Mega Rail) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Boston to Savannah freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Boston commonly ships pharmaceuticals, medical devices, seafood (lobster), 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 Boston?
Savannah is more of an inbound market than an outbound one, at least for the commodities that move toward Boston. Carriers often reposition empty or route through an intermediate market on the way back, and that cost is priced into the forward rate. It is the main reason quotes on this lane can look high relative to the mileage. Why it matters to you as a shipper: backhaul is the single least visible input into your rate. Two lanes of identical mileage can quote hundreds of dollars apart purely because one has a return load waiting and the other does not.
What commodities move from Boston to Savannah?
Boston's top outbound commodities include pharmaceuticals, medical devices, seafood (lobster), tech hardware, defense electronics, biotech samples. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. The industries driving the lane are biotech & pharmaceuticals and higher education on the Boston end and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah. That mix is what determines which trailer types run the corridor regularly — and a lane with steady demand for your equipment type is one where you will find a truck on short notice.
When are rates highest on the Boston to Savannah lane?
Rate pressure on this corridor follows the biotech & pharmaceuticals and higher education calendar. October-December: Retail peak. Dry van capacity tightens nationally ahead of the holidays — booking two or more weeks out is the difference between a normal rate and a scramble. Two habits that help regardless of season — book mid-week rather than Friday afternoon, and give more than 48 hours notice. Last-minute Friday pickups are where shippers overpay most consistently.
Get Exact Rates for Boston to Savannah
Tell us what you are moving on the Boston–Savannah corridor and we will source an FMCSA-verified carrier that fits the commodity, the timing and the budget. We check authority, insurance and safety record before a truck is ever assigned to your freight. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts