Freight Shipping from Joliet to Savannah
Ship freight from Joliet, IL to Savannah, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,118-$2,610, LTL from $742-$1,237. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
985 mi
Drive Time
18 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,118-$2,610
LTL Rate Est.
$742-$1,237
Joliet to Savannah Freight Corridor
Joliet and its surrounding Will County communities sit atop the most concentrated intermodal and distribution infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere. The CenterPoint Intermodal Center, spanning over 6,000 acres, combines UP's Global IV facility with over 30 million square feet of distribution space occupied by Walmart, Amazon, IKEA, and dozens of other major shippers. This is where West Coast container imports transition from rail to truck for final-mile delivery across the Midwest and Northeast.
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 Joliet-to-Savannah corridor spans 985 miles via I-80, I-55, I-16, I-95. This lane connects intermodal logistics and warehousing & distribution freight from the Joliet 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 Joliet
Joliet's economy is driven by intermodal logistics, warehousing & distribution, e-commerce fulfillment, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
redistributed consumer goods
intermodal containers
packaged foods
building materials
automotive parts
e-commerce parcels
What Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Joliet.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Joliet 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.
$2,118-$2,610 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.
$2,807-$3,595 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,103-$4,186 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.
$742-$1,237 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Joliet to Savannah lane (985 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,118-$2,610 | 18 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $742-$1,237 | 20-22 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,201-$4,433 | 12 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,330-$1,822 | 21-23 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Joliet and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
Walmart (Elwood Mega-DC)
Amazon (CenterPoint)
IKEA Distribution
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Joliet to Savannah
Joliet Seasonal Advisory
Q4 holiday freight creates near-gridlock conditions on I-80 and I-55 as intermodal volume peaks. January sees a dramatic drop-off. Spring produce season restocks create a secondary peak in March-April.
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 985-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.
Joliet to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Joliet to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Joliet, IL to Savannah, GA currently range from $2,118-$2,610 for a standard dry van load over the 985-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $742-$1,237 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 Joliet to Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Joliet to Savannah is approximately 18 hrs by truck over 985 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 Joliet to Savannah freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Joliet commonly ships redistributed consumer goods, intermodal containers, packaged foods, 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 Joliet?
Yes. Savannah is a strong outbound market shipping containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay. Carriers returning from Savannah to Joliet can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Joliet-to-Savannah lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Joliet to Savannah?
The Joliet-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Joliet's top outbound commodities include redistributed consumer goods, intermodal containers, packaged foods, building materials, automotive parts, e-commerce parcels. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include intermodal logistics and warehousing & distribution from Joliet and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
Get Exact Rates for Joliet to Savannah
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Joliet to Savannah lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts