Freight Shipping from Fort Lauderdale to Savannah
Ship freight from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Savannah, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,161-$1,431, LTL from $497-$859. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
540 mi
Drive Time
10 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,161-$1,431
LTL Rate Est.
$497-$859
Consumer Goods Corridor
Fort Lauderdale → Savannah Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
159–175
running this lane
Weekly Loads
90–111
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
65/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$9–$14 one-way passing through FL, GA. 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.
Fort Lauderdale to Savannah Freight Corridor
Fort Lauderdale is the yachting capital of the world, and that maritime heritage shapes its freight economy. Port Everglades is one of the busiest cruise ports globally (4 million+ passengers annually), generating enormous provisioning freight. The I-595 corridor connects the port to the Florida Turnpike, creating a vital east-west freight artery. The city's aviation MRO cluster at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International repairs and overhauls aircraft for carriers worldwide, producing specialized heavy-freight shipments of engines and landing gear.
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 Fort Lauderdale-to-Savannah corridor spans 540 miles via I-95. This lane connects marine industry and aviation mro freight from the Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale's economy is driven by marine industry, aviation mro, tourism, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
yachts & marine vessels
aircraft parts (MRO)
cruise ship supplies
electronics
marine equipment
seafood
What Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Fort Lauderdale.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Fort Lauderdale 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.
$1,161-$1,431 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.
$1,431-$1,809 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.
$1,539-$1,971 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,701-$2,295 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Fort Lauderdale to Savannah lane (540 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,161-$1,431 | 10 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $497-$859 | 12-14 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,755-$2,430 | 7 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $729-$999 | 13-15 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Fort Lauderdale and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
Spirit Airlines (HQ)
AutoNation (HQ)
Citrix Systems
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Fort Lauderdale to Savannah
Fort Lauderdale Seasonal Advisory
Cruise season peaks November through April, driving provisioning freight. The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (October) creates a temporary but massive surge in oversize yacht transport and marine equipment shipping.
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 540-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 Fort Lauderdale and Savannah — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Metro Population
- 2.0M metro (Broward County)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.40-$2.75/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95, I-595, Florida Turnpike
- Rail / Intermodal
- FEC Fort Lauderdale Terminal
- Port Access
- Port Everglades (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Dania Beach/I-595, Pompano Beach/I-95, Sunrise/Sawgrass
“Cruise ship provisioning at Port Everglades follows a rigid weekly schedule tied to departure days. A single large cruise vessel requires 10-15 truckloads of food, beverages, and supplies, all delivered within a 6-hour window before sailing. Late deliveries mean the ship sails without the goods.”
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
Backhaul from Savannah to Fort Lauderdale requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Savannah
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Fort Lauderdale to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Fort Lauderdale to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Savannah, GA currently range $1,161-$1,431 (roughly $2.17-$2.67 per mile over 540 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $497-$859 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 Fort Lauderdale to Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Fort Lauderdale to Savannah is approximately 10 hrs by truck over 540 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service via FEC Fort Lauderdale Terminal to NS Savannah Intermodal (Mason Mega Rail) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Fort Lauderdale to Savannah freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Fort Lauderdale commonly ships yachts & marine vessels, aircraft parts (MRO), cruise ship supplies, 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 Fort Lauderdale?
Moderate backhaul (scored 65/100 based on Savannah's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Savannah to Fort Lauderdale requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. 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 Fort Lauderdale to Savannah?
The Fort Lauderdale-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Fort Lauderdale's top outbound commodities include yachts & marine vessels, aircraft parts (MRO), cruise ship supplies, electronics, marine equipment, seafood. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include marine industry and aviation MRO from Fort Lauderdale and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
When are rates highest on the Fort Lauderdale to Savannah lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to marine industry and aviation MRO cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out). 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 Fort Lauderdale to Savannah
We maintain working relationships with 159+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Fort Lauderdale–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