Freight Shipping from Knoxville to Savannah
Ship freight from Knoxville, TN to Savannah, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $875-$1,079, LTL from $424-$746. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
407 mi
Drive Time
7 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$875-$1,079
LTL Rate Est.
$424-$746
Knoxville to Savannah Freight Corridor
Knoxville commands the junction of I-40 and I-75, two of the most heavily trafficked freight corridors in the eastern United States. The Tennessee Valley Authority's headquarters drives energy infrastructure freight, while Japanese automotive suppliers like Denso maintain major manufacturing operations in the surrounding counties. The Great Smoky Mountains to the southeast create a natural bottleneck that funnels east-west freight through the Knoxville corridor.
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 Knoxville-to-Savannah corridor spans 407 miles via I-40, I-75, I-16, I-95. This lane connects energy (tva) and automotive parts freight from the Knoxville 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 Knoxville
Knoxville's economy is driven by energy (tva), automotive parts, advanced manufacturing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
automotive components
coal
aluminum products
building materials
fabricated metals
food products
What Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Knoxville.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Knoxville 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.
$875-$1,079 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.
$1,160-$1,486 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,282-$1,730 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.
$424-$746 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Knoxville to Savannah lane (407 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $875-$1,079 | 7 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $424-$746 | 9-11 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,323-$1,832 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Knoxville and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
Tennessee Valley Authority (HQ)
Denso Manufacturing (Maryville)
Bush Brothers & Company
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Knoxville to Savannah
Knoxville Seasonal Advisory
Automotive parts production runs steadily year-round with standard July and December shutdowns. University of Tennessee football season (September-November) creates unusual local delivery surges. Coal freight has declined but still moves consistently to TVA plants.
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 407 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.
Knoxville to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Knoxville to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Knoxville, TN to Savannah, GA currently range from $875-$1,079 for a standard dry van load over the 407-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $424-$746 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 Knoxville to Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Knoxville to Savannah is approximately 7 hrs by truck over 407 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%.
What equipment do I need for Knoxville to Savannah freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Knoxville commonly ships automotive components, coal, aluminum products, 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 Knoxville?
Yes. Savannah is a strong outbound market shipping containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay. Carriers returning from Savannah to Knoxville can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Knoxville-to-Savannah lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Knoxville to Savannah?
The Knoxville-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Knoxville's top outbound commodities include automotive components, coal, aluminum products, building materials, fabricated metals, food products. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include energy (TVA) and automotive parts from Knoxville and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
Get Exact Rates for Knoxville to Savannah
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Knoxville to Savannah lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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