Freight Shipping from Houston to Savannah
Ship freight from Houston, TX to Savannah, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,406-$2,965, LTL from $815-$1,351. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,119 mi
Drive Time
20 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,406-$2,965
LTL Rate Est.
$815-$1,351
Houston to Savannah Freight Corridor
Houston is the energy capital of the world, and its freight profile reflects it. The Houston Ship Channel — a 52-mile industrial corridor lined with the highest concentration of refineries and petrochemical plants on Earth — generates massive tanker, flatbed, and hazmat freight volumes. Port Houston ranks first in the U.S. for foreign waterborne tonnage and handles more export cargo than any other American port. The Texas Medical Center, the world's largest, adds a significant layer of pharmaceutical and medical equipment freight.
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 Houston-to-Savannah corridor spans 1,119 miles via I-10, I-45, I-16, I-95. This lane connects oil & gas and petrochemicals freight from the Houston 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 Houston
Houston's economy is driven by oil & gas, petrochemicals, healthcare (texas medical center), generating consistent outbound freight demand.
refined petroleum
petrochemicals
plastic resins
oilfield equipment
LNG equipment
medical devices
What Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Houston.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Houston 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.
$2,406-$2,965 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.
$3,189-$4,084 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,525-$4,756 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.
$815-$1,351 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Houston to Savannah lane (1,119 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,406-$2,965 | 20 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $815-$1,351 | 22-24 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,637-$5,036 | 14 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,511-$2,070 | 23-25 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Houston and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Houston to Savannah
Houston Seasonal Advisory
Hurricane season (June-November) is the dominant variable — storms can shut down the Ship Channel and port for days, creating massive freight backlogs and rate spikes. Petrochemical production is year-round but refinery turnarounds in spring and fall temporarily shift freight patterns.
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.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,119 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.
Houston to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Houston to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Houston, TX to Savannah, GA currently range from $2,406-$2,965 for a standard dry van load over the 1,119-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $815-$1,351 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 Houston to Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Houston to Savannah is approximately 20 hrs by truck over 1,119 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Houston to Savannah freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Houston commonly ships refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, 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 Houston?
Yes. Savannah is a strong outbound market shipping containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay. Carriers returning from Savannah to Houston can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Houston-to-Savannah lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Houston to Savannah?
The Houston-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Houston's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, oilfield equipment, LNG equipment, medical devices. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include oil & gas and petrochemicals from Houston and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
Get Exact Rates for Houston to Savannah
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