Freight Shipping from Chattanooga to Savannah
Ship freight from Chattanooga, TN to Savannah, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $888-$1,094, LTL from $427-$751. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
413 mi
Drive Time
8 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$888-$1,094
LTL Rate Est.
$427-$751
Auto Manufacturing Corridor
Chattanooga → Savannah Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
155–178
running this lane
Weekly Loads
39–60
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
70/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$3–$5 one-way passing through TN, GA, NC. 1 typical fuel stop 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.
Chattanooga to Savannah Freight Corridor
Chattanooga reinvented its freight identity when Volkswagen opened its only U.S. assembly plant here in 2011, now producing the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport for the entire North American market. The I-24/I-75 junction at the Tennessee-Georgia border makes Chattanooga a critical gateway between the Midwest and Southeast. The city's gigabit internet infrastructure has attracted tech companies and Amazon fulfillment, adding e-commerce distribution to the traditional manufacturing freight base.
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 Chattanooga-to-Savannah corridor spans 413 miles via I-24, I-75, I-16, I-95. This lane connects automotive manufacturing and insurance freight from the Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga
Chattanooga's economy is driven by automotive manufacturing, insurance, advanced manufacturing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
Volkswagen vehicles
automotive components
insurance documents
food products
building materials
fabricated metals
What Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Chattanooga.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Chattanooga 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.
$888-$1,094 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.
$1,177-$1,507 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,301-$1,755 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.
$427-$751 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Chattanooga to Savannah lane (413 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $888-$1,094 | 8 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $427-$751 | 10-12 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,342-$1,859 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Chattanooga and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly
Unum Group (HQ)
Gestamp (auto stampings)
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Chattanooga to Savannah
Chattanooga Seasonal Advisory
VW production runs year-round with a two-week summer shutdown in July and brief December pause. Amazon fulfillment peaks October through December. The proximity to Atlanta creates year-round freight spillover from the Southeast's largest market.
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 413 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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Chattanooga and Savannah — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Chattanooga, TN
- Metro Population
- 580K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-24, I-75, US-27
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Chattanooga Intermodal; CSX Wauhatchie Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- Enterprise South Industrial Park (VW), East Brainerd/I-75 South, Ooltewah/I-75 North
“VW Chattanooga operates a sophisticated JIT supply chain with European and Mexican parts arriving by rail and truck on precise schedules. Carriers who earn certified supplier status access dedicated automotive lanes with guaranteed volume — a reliable revenue stream that many owner-operators overlook.”
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 Chattanooga 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
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Chattanooga to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Chattanooga to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Chattanooga, TN to Savannah, GA currently range $888-$1,094 (roughly $2.17-$2.68 per mile over 413 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $427-$751 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 Chattanooga to Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Chattanooga to Savannah is approximately 8 hrs by truck over 413 miles, with 1 typical fuel stop 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%.
What equipment do I need for Chattanooga to Savannah freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Chattanooga commonly ships Volkswagen vehicles, automotive components, insurance documents, 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 Chattanooga?
Strong backhaul (scored 70/100 based on Savannah's outbound commodity mix). Savannah generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga to Savannah?
The Chattanooga-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Auto Manufacturing Corridor. Chattanooga's top outbound commodities include Volkswagen vehicles, automotive components, insurance documents, food products, building materials, fabricated metals. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include automotive manufacturing and insurance from Chattanooga and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
When are rates highest on the Chattanooga to Savannah lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to automotive manufacturing and insurance cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); 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 Chattanooga to Savannah
We maintain working relationships with 155+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Chattanooga–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