Freight Shipping from Jacksonville to Savannah
Ship freight from Jacksonville, FL to Savannah, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $350-$432, LTL from $290-$539. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
163 mi
Drive Time
3 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$350-$432
LTL Rate Est.
$290-$539
Industrial Freight Lane
Jacksonville → Savannah Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
187–210
running this lane
Weekly Loads
107–122
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
90/100
Excellent
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$3–$4 one-way passing through FL, GA. 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 Savannah 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.
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 Jacksonville-to-Savannah corridor spans 163 miles via I-95. This lane connects logistics & distribution and automotive import processing freight from the Jacksonville 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 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 Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Jacksonville.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Jacksonville 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.
$350-$432 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.
$432-$546 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.
$465-$595 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$513-$693 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Jacksonville to Savannah lane (163 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $350-$432 | 3 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $290-$539 | 5-7 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $530-$734 | 2 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Jacksonville and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
CSX Transportation (HQ)
Southeast Toyota Distributors
Johnson & Johnson Vision
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Jacksonville to Savannah
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.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 163 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
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 Savannah — 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
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 Jacksonville typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Savannah
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 Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Jacksonville to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Jacksonville, FL to Savannah, GA currently range $350-$432 (roughly $2.16-$2.67 per mile over 163 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $290-$539 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 Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Jacksonville to Savannah is approximately 3 hrs by truck over 163 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%.
What equipment do I need for Jacksonville to Savannah 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. 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 Jacksonville?
Excellent backhaul (scored 90/100 based on Savannah's outbound commodity mix). Savannah 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. 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 Jacksonville to Savannah?
The Jacksonville-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. Jacksonville's top outbound commodities include imported vehicles, paper & pulp products, containerized goods, lumber, phosphate, citrus products. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution and automotive import processing from Jacksonville and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
When are rates highest on the Jacksonville to Savannah 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.
Can freight from Jacksonville to Savannah be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 163 miles (3 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Jacksonville-to-Savannah lane in one shift. Same-day delivery requires booking before 9 AM local time at origin and confirming dock availability at destination. Expedited service runs 2 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Jacksonville to Savannah
We maintain working relationships with 187+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Jacksonville–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