Freight Shipping from Jacksonville to Norfolk
Ship freight from Jacksonville, FL to Norfolk, VA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,527-$1,882, LTL from $591-$1,004. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
710 mi
Drive Time
13 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,527-$1,882
LTL Rate Est.
$591-$1,004
Consumer Goods Corridor
Jacksonville → Norfolk Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
171–186
running this lane
Weekly Loads
226–238
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
85/100
Excellent
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$9–$15 one-way passing through FL, VA, TN, SC, NC. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Mon, Tue, Wed. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Jacksonville to Norfolk Freight Corridor
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.
Norfolk is the East Coast's deepest natural harbor and home to the Port of Virginia — the third-largest container port in the U.S. and the only East Coast port with 55-foot channels capable of handling fully loaded ultra-large container vessels at any tide. Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval base, generates enormous military logistics volume. Huntington Ingalls' Newport News Shipyard builds America's aircraft carriers and submarines, creating specialized oversize freight that moves nowhere else in the country.
The Jacksonville-to-Norfolk corridor spans 710 miles via I-95, I-10, I-64, I-264. This lane connects logistics & distribution and automotive import processing freight from the Jacksonville market to military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics demand in Norfolk. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Jacksonville
Jacksonville's economy is driven by logistics & distribution, automotive import processing, financial services, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
imported vehicles
paper & pulp products
containerized goods
lumber
phosphate
citrus products
What Norfolk Receives
Norfolk's military & naval operations, port & maritime logistics, shipbuilding sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Jacksonville.
containerized imports (Asia/Europe)
vehicles (auto import)
crude oil
machinery
consumer goods
building materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Jacksonville and Norfolk, 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.
$1,527-$1,882 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.
$1,882-$2,379 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.
$2,024-$2,592 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,237-$3,018 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Jacksonville to Norfolk lane (710 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,527-$1,882 | 13 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $591-$1,004 | 15-17 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,308-$3,195 | 9 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $959-$1,314 | 16-18 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Jacksonville and Norfolk that drive volume on this lane.
CSX Transportation (HQ)
Southeast Toyota Distributors
Johnson & Johnson Vision
Naval Station Norfolk (world's largest naval base)
Huntington Ingalls Industries (Newport News Shipbuilding)
Virginia Port Authority
Shipping Tips for Jacksonville to Norfolk
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.
Norfolk Seasonal Advisory
Import container volumes peak August through November during retail peak season. Coal exports fluctuate with global energy demand and Asian steel production. Military freight is steady year-round but surges during deployment cycles and fleet maintenance periods.
Overnight Transit
This 710-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 Jacksonville and Norfolk — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
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.”
Destination
Norfolk, VA
- Metro Population
- 1.8M metro (Hampton Roads)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-64, I-264, I-664
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk International Terminals (NIT); Virginia Inland Port (Front Royal); Norfolk Southern Lamberts Point Coal Terminal
- Port Access
- Port of Virginia — Norfolk (Chesapeake Bay/Atlantic, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Chesapeake/I-64 South, Suffolk/US-58 West, Portsmouth/I-264 Corridor
“The Port of Virginia's inland port network extends the port's reach 220 miles west to Front Royal via daily Norfolk Southern rail service, allowing containers to clear customs inland and reducing drayage congestion. Carriers who serve the inland port system access loads that bypass the congested Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel entirely.”
Return Loads from Norfolk
Norfolk is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Jacksonville typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Norfolk
Seasonal Rate Patterns
May-Aug (produce season)
+12-18% on reefer capacity
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
Jacksonville to Norfolk Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Jacksonville to Norfolk?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Jacksonville, FL to Norfolk, VA currently range $1,527-$1,882 (roughly $2.16-$2.66 per mile over 710 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $591-$1,004 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 Jacksonville to Norfolk?
Standard FTL transit from Jacksonville to Norfolk is approximately 13 hrs by truck over 710 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 CSX Jacksonville Intermodal (JAXPORT area) to Norfolk International Terminals (NIT) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Jacksonville to Norfolk freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Jacksonville commonly ships imported vehicles, paper & pulp products, containerized goods, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Norfolk commonly receives containerized imports (Asia/Europe), vehicles (auto import), crude oil. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Norfolk to Jacksonville?
Excellent backhaul (scored 85/100 based on Norfolk's outbound commodity mix). Norfolk is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Jacksonville typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate. Norfolk's top outbound commodities — containerized exports, coal, soybeans & grain — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Jacksonville to Norfolk?
The Jacksonville-to-Norfolk corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Jacksonville's top outbound commodities include imported vehicles, paper & pulp products, containerized goods, lumber, phosphate, citrus products. Norfolk's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (Asia/Europe), vehicles (auto import), crude oil, machinery, consumer goods, building materials. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution and automotive import processing from Jacksonville and military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics in Norfolk.
When are rates highest on the Jacksonville to Norfolk lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to logistics & distribution and automotive import processing cycles. Key periods: May-Aug (produce season) (+12-18% on reefer capacity); 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 (Mon, Tue, Wed) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Jacksonville to Norfolk
We maintain working relationships with 171+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Jacksonville–Norfolk 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