Freight Shipping from Chicago to Savannah
Ship freight from Chicago, IL to Savannah, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,144-$2,642, LTL from $748-$1,247. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
997 mi
Drive Time
18 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,144-$2,642
LTL Rate Est.
$748-$1,247
Port Drayage Corridor
Chicago → Savannah Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
159–175
running this lane
Weekly Loads
100–115
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
95/100
Excellent
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$18–$30 one-way passing through IL, GA, TN, KY, VA, OH, IN, 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.
Chicago to Savannah Freight Corridor
Chicago is the freight capital of North America, full stop. One-third of all US rail freight passes through the metro, and the I-55/I-80 corridor south of the city contains the highest concentration of intermodal facilities and mega-distribution centers in the world. BNSF's Logistics Park Chicago in Elwood alone processes over 2 million container lifts annually. The I-294 corridor warehouses from Bedford Park to Elk Grove Village process more cross-dock volume than any other US metro, making Chicago the pivot point for transcontinental freight in every direction.
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 Chicago-to-Savannah corridor spans 997 miles via I-90, I-94, I-16, I-95. This lane connects logistics & intermodal and food manufacturing freight from the Chicago 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 Chicago
Chicago's economy is driven by logistics & intermodal, food manufacturing, financial services, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
processed foods
steel products
pharmaceuticals
industrial machinery
electronics
printed materials
What Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Chicago.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Chicago 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.
$2,144-$2,642 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.
$2,642-$3,340 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.
$2,841-$3,639 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,141-$4,237 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Chicago to Savannah lane (997 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,144-$2,642 | 18 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $748-$1,247 | 20-22 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,240-$4,487 | 12 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,346-$1,844 | 21-23 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Chicago and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (15+ facilities)
Walmart (Elwood mega-DC)
Abbott Laboratories
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Chicago to Savannah
Chicago Seasonal Advisory
Holiday import season (September-December) pushes intermodal yards to capacity. Agricultural export season (October-January) adds grain and soybean volume. January-February is the slowest period, with spot rates often dropping 15-20% below annual averages.
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 997-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 Chicago and Savannah — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Chicago, IL
- Metro Population
- 9.5M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-90, I-94, I-55
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Logistics Park Chicago (Elwood); UP Global IV (Joliet); NS Landers Yard; CSX 59th Street Intermodal; BNSF Corwith Yard; UP Yard Center
- Warehouse Districts
- I-55/Joliet Corridor, I-80/Elwood-Channahon, O'Hare/Elk Grove Village, I-294/Bedford Park
“Chicago's notorious rail congestion means intermodal containers can sit for 3-5 days waiting for a rail slot, a hidden cost that makes truck competitive on lanes up to 1,500 miles. Savvy shippers keep a truck backup option for time-sensitive loads during peak rail congestion in Q4.”
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 a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Chicago typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the 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
Chicago to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Chicago to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Chicago, IL to Savannah, GA currently range $2,144-$2,642 (roughly $2.16-$2.65 per mile over 997 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $748-$1,247 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently tight 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 Chicago to Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Chicago to Savannah is approximately 18 hrs by truck over 997 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 BNSF Logistics Park Chicago (Elwood) to NS Savannah Intermodal (Mason Mega Rail) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Chicago to Savannah freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Chicago commonly ships processed foods, steel products, pharmaceuticals, 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 Chicago?
Excellent backhaul (scored 95/100 based on Savannah's outbound commodity mix). Savannah is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Chicago typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the 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 Chicago to Savannah?
The Chicago-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Chicago's top outbound commodities include processed foods, steel products, pharmaceuticals, industrial machinery, electronics, printed materials. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include logistics & intermodal and food manufacturing from Chicago and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
When are rates highest on the Chicago to Savannah lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to logistics & intermodal and food manufacturing 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 Chicago to Savannah
We maintain working relationships with 159+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Chicago–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