Freight Shipping from Jacksonville to Tampa
Ship freight from Jacksonville, FL to Tampa, FL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $479-$591, LTL from $323-$590. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
223 mi
Drive Time
4 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$479-$591
LTL Rate Est.
$323-$590
Consumer Goods Corridor
Jacksonville → Tampa Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
153–175
running this lane
Weekly Loads
191–206
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
72/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$6–$9 one-way passing through FL. 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 Tampa 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.
Tampa Bay's freight economy revolves around three pillars: Mosaic's massive Bone Valley phosphate mining operations that generate millions of tons of bulk freight annually, the Port Tampa Bay petroleum and bulk cargo terminals, and the rapidly growing I-4 corridor distribution zone stretching east toward Orlando and Lakeland. The region's population growth consistently ranks among the fastest in the US, fueling construction material demand that keeps flatbed carriers busy year-round.
The Jacksonville-to-Tampa corridor spans 223 miles via I-95, I-10, I-75, I-4. This lane connects logistics & distribution and automotive import processing freight from the Jacksonville market to healthcare and financial services demand in Tampa. 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 Tampa Receives
Tampa's healthcare, financial services, tourism sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Jacksonville.
construction materials
consumer goods
petroleum products
food & beverage
automotive vehicles
industrial equipment
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Jacksonville and Tampa, 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.
$479-$591 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.
$591-$747 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.
$636-$814 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$702-$948 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Jacksonville to Tampa lane (223 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $479-$591 | 4 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $323-$590 | 6-8 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $725-$1,004 | 3 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Jacksonville and Tampa that drive volume on this lane.
CSX Transportation (HQ)
Southeast Toyota Distributors
Johnson & Johnson Vision
Mosaic Company (HQ)
Amazon (3 facilities)
Jabil Inc. (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Jacksonville to Tampa
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.
Tampa Seasonal Advisory
Citrus season (November-May) drives reefer demand from groves in Polk and Highlands counties. Strawberry harvest from Plant City peaks January through March. Hurricane season can disrupt port operations and trigger emergency supply freight.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 223 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 Tampa — 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
Tampa, FL
- Metro Population
- 3.2M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.20-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-75, I-4, I-275
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Tampa Intermodal
- Port Access
- Port Tampa Bay (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- East Tampa/I-4 Corridor, Lakeland/Polk County, Plant City
“The Lakeland/Plant City area between Tampa and Orlando has emerged as Central Florida's primary warehouse zone, offering lower rents than either metro while providing same-day delivery access to both. Carriers who service this corridor can often run multiple short-haul loads per day.”
Return Loads from Tampa
Tampa generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Jacksonville is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Tampa
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 Tampa Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Jacksonville to Tampa?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Jacksonville, FL to Tampa, FL currently range $479-$591 (roughly $2.17-$2.68 per mile over 223 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $323-$590 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 Tampa?
Standard FTL transit from Jacksonville to Tampa is approximately 4 hrs by truck over 223 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 Tampa 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. Tampa commonly receives construction materials, consumer goods, petroleum products. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Tampa to Jacksonville?
Strong backhaul (scored 72/100 based on Tampa's outbound commodity mix). Tampa generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Jacksonville is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Tampa's top outbound commodities — phosphate rock & fertilizer, citrus products, medical devices — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Jacksonville to Tampa?
The Jacksonville-to-Tampa 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. Tampa's primary inbound freight includes construction materials, consumer goods, petroleum products, food & beverage, automotive vehicles, industrial equipment. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution and automotive import processing from Jacksonville and healthcare and financial services in Tampa.
When are rates highest on the Jacksonville to Tampa 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 Tampa be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 223 miles (4 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Jacksonville-to-Tampa 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 3 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Jacksonville to Tampa
We maintain working relationships with 153+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Jacksonville–Tampa 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