Freight Shipping from Lakeland to Savannah
Ship freight from Lakeland, FL to Savannah, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $793-$978, LTL from $403-$714. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
369 mi
Drive Time
7 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$793-$978
LTL Rate Est.
$403-$714
Lakeland to Savannah Freight Corridor
Lakeland sits midway between Tampa and Orlando on the I-4 corridor, making it Central Florida's logistics sweet spot. Publix Super Markets' corporate headquarters and main distribution complex are here, coordinating grocery distribution for over 1,300 stores across the Southeast. The Mosaic Company's phosphate mining operations in Bone Valley produce fertilizer that ships worldwide, while the legacy citrus industry still generates significant reefer freight. Amazon's growing fulfillment presence has added e-commerce distribution to the traditional agricultural and mining freight base.
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 Lakeland-to-Savannah corridor spans 369 miles via I-4, US-98, I-16, I-95. This lane connects logistics & distribution and phosphate mining freight from the Lakeland 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 Lakeland
Lakeland's economy is driven by logistics & distribution, phosphate mining, citrus processing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
phosphate rock & fertilizer
orange juice concentrate
grocery products (Publix)
citrus fruit
consumer goods
building materials
What Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Lakeland.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Lakeland 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.
$793-$978 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.
$1,052-$1,347 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,162-$1,568 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.
$403-$714 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Lakeland to Savannah lane (369 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $793-$978 | 7 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $403-$714 | 9-11 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,199-$1,661 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Lakeland and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
Publix Super Markets (HQ & distribution)
Mosaic Company (phosphate)
Amazon LAL Fulfillment
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Lakeland to Savannah
Lakeland Seasonal Advisory
Citrus season (November-May) drives reefer demand. Phosphate mining runs year-round. Amazon fulfillment peaks in Q4. Tourism-driven consumer goods deliveries to Orlando increase year-round but surge during school breaks and holidays.
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 369 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.
Lakeland to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Lakeland to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Lakeland, FL to Savannah, GA currently range from $793-$978 for a standard dry van load over the 369-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $403-$714 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 Lakeland to Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Lakeland to Savannah is approximately 7 hrs by truck over 369 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 Lakeland to Savannah freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Lakeland commonly ships phosphate rock & fertilizer, orange juice concentrate, grocery products (Publix), 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 Lakeland?
Yes. Savannah is a strong outbound market shipping containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay. Carriers returning from Savannah to Lakeland can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Lakeland-to-Savannah lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Lakeland to Savannah?
The Lakeland-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Lakeland's top outbound commodities include phosphate rock & fertilizer, orange juice concentrate, grocery products (Publix), citrus fruit, consumer goods, building materials. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution and phosphate mining from Lakeland and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
Get Exact Rates for Lakeland to Savannah
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Lakeland to Savannah lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts