Freight Shipping from Charleston to Savannah
Ship freight from Charleston, SC to Savannah, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $232-$286, LTL from $259-$492. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
108 mi
Drive Time
2 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$232-$286
LTL Rate Est.
$259-$492
Charleston to Savannah Freight Corridor
Charleston has emerged as the Southeast's premium port, with the deepest harbor on the East Coast and the brand-new Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal adding 700,000 TEUs of capacity. BMW ships every X3, X5, and X7 through Charleston — the plant in Greer, SC is BMW's largest factory worldwide — while Boeing's final assembly facility builds 787 Dreamliner fuselage sections. The port handles $75+ billion in annual trade, and the SC Ports Authority's inland port network extends the port's reach deep into the Carolinas and Georgia.
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 Charleston-to-Savannah corridor spans 108 miles via I-26, I-526, I-16, I-95. This lane connects port & maritime logistics and automotive manufacturing freight from the Charleston 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 Charleston
Charleston's economy is driven by port & maritime logistics, automotive manufacturing, aerospace, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
BMW vehicles
containerized exports
Boeing 787 components
tire products
automotive parts
forest products
What Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Charleston.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Charleston 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.
$232-$286 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.
$308-$394 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$340-$459 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.
$259-$492 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Charleston to Savannah lane (108 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $232-$286 | 2 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $259-$492 | 4-6 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $351-$486 | 1 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Charleston and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
BMW Manufacturing (Greer)
Boeing Charleston
Volvo Cars (Ridgeville)
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Charleston to Savannah
Charleston Seasonal Advisory
Import volumes peak August through November ahead of holiday retail season. BMW production runs year-round with a two-week July shutdown. Boeing's delivery schedule creates irregular but high-value oversize moves throughout the year.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 108 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
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.
Charleston to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Charleston to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Charleston, SC to Savannah, GA currently range from $232-$286 for a standard dry van load over the 108-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $259-$492 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Request a custom quote for exact pricing based on your specific shipment details.
How long does freight take from Charleston to Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Charleston to Savannah is approximately 2 hrs by truck over 108 miles. LTL shipments add 2-4 business days due to terminal transfers. Expedited service with team drivers can reduce FTL transit by up to 40%.
What equipment do I need for Charleston to Savannah freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Charleston commonly ships BMW vehicles, containerized exports, Boeing 787 components, 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 Charleston?
Yes. Savannah is a strong outbound market shipping containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay. Carriers returning from Savannah to Charleston can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Charleston-to-Savannah lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Charleston to Savannah?
The Charleston-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Charleston's top outbound commodities include BMW vehicles, containerized exports, Boeing 787 components, tire products, automotive parts, forest products. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include port & maritime logistics and automotive manufacturing from Charleston and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
Get Exact Rates for Charleston to Savannah
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