Freight Shipping from Elizabeth to Jacksonville
Ship freight from Elizabeth, NJ to Jacksonville, FL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,311-$2,849, LTL from $791-$1,314. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,075 mi
Drive Time
20 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,311-$2,849
LTL Rate Est.
$791-$1,314
Energy & Chemicals Route
Elizabeth → Jacksonville Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
141–156
running this lane
Weekly Loads
85–103
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
80/100
Excellent
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$25–$42 one-way passing through NJ, FL, TN, VA, OH, SC, 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.
Elizabeth to Jacksonville Freight Corridor
Elizabeth is home to the largest container terminal complex in the Port of New York and New Jersey, processing millions of TEUs annually across the APM and Maersk terminals. The ExpressRail on-dock intermodal facility allows containers to move directly from ship to rail without a truck drayage move. Phillips 66's Bayway Refinery adds petroleum freight volume, while IKEA's massive distribution center serves the entire Northeast.
Jacksonville is where the Southeast's freight arteries converge. As CSX's headquarters city and the junction of I-95 and I-10, Jax controls rail and truck freight flows between the entire Eastern Seaboard and the Gulf Coast. JAXPORT is the #1 vehicle-import port in the US, processing over 700,000 vehicles annually that Southeast Toyota and other distributors truck to dealerships across the Southeast. The city's geographic position makes it the ideal repositioning hub for carriers running Florida's north-south lanes.
The Elizabeth-to-Jacksonville corridor spans 1,075 miles via NJ Turnpike, I-278 (Goethals Bridge), I-95, I-10. This lane connects container port operations and intermodal logistics freight from the Elizabeth market to logistics & distribution and automotive import processing demand in Jacksonville. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Elizabeth
Elizabeth's economy is driven by container port operations, intermodal logistics, petroleum refining, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
re-exported containers
refined petroleum
chemicals
scrap metal
food products
recycled materials
What Jacksonville Receives
Jacksonville's logistics & distribution, automotive import processing, financial services sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Elizabeth.
automobiles (import)
consumer goods
construction materials
containerized cargo
military supplies
food products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Elizabeth and Jacksonville, 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.
$2,311-$2,849 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.
$3,064-$3,924 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,386-$4,569 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.
$791-$1,314 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Elizabeth to Jacksonville lane (1,075 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,311-$2,849 | 20 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $791-$1,314 | 22-24 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,494-$4,838 | 13 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,451-$1,989 | 23-25 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Elizabeth and Jacksonville that drive volume on this lane.
APM Terminals (Elizabeth)
IKEA Elizabeth DC
Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery
CSX Transportation (HQ)
Southeast Toyota Distributors
Johnson & Johnson Vision
Shipping Tips for Elizabeth to Jacksonville
Elizabeth Seasonal Advisory
Peak import season (August-October) can extend vessel wait times to 5-7 days at anchor, cascading into terminal congestion and chassis shortages that ripple through the entire regional freight market.
Jacksonville Seasonal Advisory
Vehicle import volume peaks in spring (new model year distribution) and fall. Hurricane season can temporarily disrupt port operations. Snowbird migration (October-November) drives a surge in household goods shipments headed to Central and South Florida.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,075 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 20 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 Elizabeth and Jacksonville — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Elizabeth, NJ
- Metro Population
- 137K city (Union County 575K)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.55-$3.00/mi
- Key Highways
- NJ Turnpike, I-278 (Goethals Bridge), US-1/9
- Rail / Intermodal
- ExpressRail Elizabeth; APM Elizabeth Marine Terminal
- Port Access
- Elizabeth Marine Terminal (Port of NY/NJ, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Elizabeth Port District, Linden/Tremley Point
“Elizabeth's port terminals operate 24/7 with gate reservations becoming increasingly mandatory. Carriers who invest in port-specific technology (terminal appointment systems, chassis tracking apps) gain a significant efficiency advantage over those navigating the system manually.”
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
- Metro Population
- 1.6M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95, I-10, I-295
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Jacksonville Intermodal (JAXPORT area); NS Jacksonville Terminal
- Port Access
- JAXPORT (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Westside/I-10 Corridor, Northside/JAXPORT area, Imeson Industrial Park
“Jacksonville is the re-positioning capital of Florida freight. Carriers dropping loads in Miami or Tampa routinely deadhead to Jax to grab northbound I-95 loads rather than searching for scarce outbound freight in South Florida.”
Return Loads from Jacksonville
Jacksonville is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Elizabeth typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Jacksonville
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
Elizabeth to Jacksonville Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Elizabeth to Jacksonville?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Elizabeth, NJ to Jacksonville, FL currently range $2,311-$2,849 (roughly $2.17-$2.67 per mile over 1,075 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $791-$1,314 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 Elizabeth to Jacksonville?
Standard FTL transit from Elizabeth to Jacksonville is approximately 20 hrs by truck over 1,075 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 ExpressRail Elizabeth to CSX Jacksonville Intermodal (JAXPORT area) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Elizabeth to Jacksonville freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Elizabeth commonly ships re-exported containers, refined petroleum, chemicals, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Jacksonville commonly receives automobiles (import), consumer goods, construction materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Jacksonville to Elizabeth?
Excellent backhaul (scored 80/100 based on Jacksonville's outbound commodity mix). Jacksonville is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Elizabeth typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate. Jacksonville's top outbound commodities — imported vehicles, paper & pulp products, containerized goods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Elizabeth to Jacksonville?
The Elizabeth-to-Jacksonville corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Energy & Chemicals Route. Elizabeth's top outbound commodities include re-exported containers, refined petroleum, chemicals, scrap metal, food products, recycled materials. Jacksonville's primary inbound freight includes automobiles (import), consumer goods, construction materials, containerized cargo, military supplies, food products. Industries driving this lane include container port operations and intermodal logistics from Elizabeth and logistics & distribution and automotive import processing in Jacksonville.
What tolls should I expect on the Elizabeth to Jacksonville route?
Expect roughly $25-$42 in tolls round-trip passing through NJ, FL, TN, VA, OH, SC, NC. Most rate quotes either include tolls in the line-haul or bill them as a separate pass-through — ask your dispatcher to confirm which model applies to your lane.
When are rates highest on the Elizabeth to Jacksonville lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to container port operations and intermodal logistics 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 Elizabeth to Jacksonville
We maintain working relationships with 141+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Elizabeth–Jacksonville 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