Freight Shipping from Nashville to Savannah
Ship freight from Nashville, TN to Savannah, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,204-$1,484, LTL from $508-$876. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
560 mi
Drive Time
10 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,204-$1,484
LTL Rate Est.
$508-$876
Auto Manufacturing Corridor
Nashville → Savannah Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
195–220
running this lane
Weekly Loads
104–121
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
87/100
Excellent
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$4–$7 one-way passing through TN, GA, NC. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Nashville to Savannah Freight Corridor
Nashville has emerged as one of America's fastest-growing freight markets, fueled by explosive population growth and a diversified economy anchored by healthcare and automotive. Nissan's Smyrna assembly plant — the most productive auto plant in North America — builds 640,000+ vehicles annually, while HCA Healthcare's headquarters drives medical supply distribution across 180+ hospitals. The I-40/I-65/I-24 triple junction gives Nashville reach to virtually every major market east of the Rockies.
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 Nashville-to-Savannah corridor spans 560 miles via I-40, I-65, I-16, I-95. This lane connects healthcare and music & entertainment freight from the Nashville 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 Nashville
Nashville's economy is driven by healthcare, music & entertainment, automotive manufacturing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
healthcare products
automotive parts (Nissan)
consumer goods
publishing & media
processed foods
building materials
What Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Nashville.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Nashville 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.
$1,204-$1,484 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.
$1,596-$2,044 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,764-$2,380 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.
$508-$876 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Nashville to Savannah lane (560 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,204-$1,484 | 10 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $508-$876 | 12-14 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,820-$2,520 | 7 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $756-$1,036 | 13-15 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Nashville and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
Nissan North America (HQ & Smyrna Plant)
HCA Healthcare (HQ)
Bridgestone Americas (HQ)
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Nashville to Savannah
Nashville Seasonal Advisory
Nissan production runs year-round with brief shutdowns in July and December. Healthcare supply distribution peaks during flu season (October-March). The massive construction boom for Nashville's growth creates steady building material demand March through November.
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 560-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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Nashville and Savannah — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Nashville, TN
- Metro Population
- 2.0M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-40, I-65, I-24
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Nashville Intermodal; Radnor Yard (Nashville's primary rail facility)
- Warehouse Districts
- La Vergne/I-24 Southeast, Lebanon/I-40 East, Smyrna/I-24 Nissan Corridor
“Nashville's population boom (adding 80+ people per day) has created a permanent imbalance — inbound freight exceeds outbound, meaning carriers delivering to Nashville often face deadhead miles finding loads out. Savvy dispatchers book outbound loads in advance, particularly automotive parts heading to Midwest assembly plants.”
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 Nashville typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Savannah
Seasonal Rate Patterns
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
Nashville to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Nashville to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Nashville, TN to Savannah, GA currently range $1,204-$1,484 (roughly $2.17-$2.67 per mile over 560 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $508-$876 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 Nashville to Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Nashville to Savannah is approximately 10 hrs by truck over 560 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service via CSX Nashville Intermodal to NS Savannah Intermodal (Mason Mega Rail) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Nashville to Savannah freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Nashville commonly ships healthcare products, automotive parts (Nissan), consumer 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 Nashville?
Excellent backhaul (scored 87/100 based on Savannah's outbound commodity mix). Savannah is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Nashville 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 Nashville to Savannah?
The Nashville-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Auto Manufacturing Corridor. Nashville's top outbound commodities include healthcare products, automotive parts (Nissan), consumer goods, publishing & media, processed foods, building materials. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include healthcare and music & entertainment from Nashville and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
When are rates highest on the Nashville to Savannah lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to healthcare and music & entertainment cycles. Key periods: 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 (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Nashville to Savannah
We maintain working relationships with 195+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Nashville–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