Freight Shipping from New Orleans to Savannah
Ship freight from New Orleans, LA to Savannah, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,542-$1,900, LTL from $594-$1,009. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
717 mi
Drive Time
13 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,542-$1,900
LTL Rate Est.
$594-$1,009
New Orleans to Savannah Freight Corridor
New Orleans commands the mouth of the Mississippi River, the most important commercial waterway in the Western Hemisphere. The Port of South Louisiana complex (stretching from New Orleans to Baton Rouge) handles more tonnage than any other port district in the US, with grain exports from the Midwest heartland meeting oceangoing vessels at 60+ terminals along the river. The city's petrochemical corridor generates hazmat tanker freight on an industrial scale, while the tourism economy demands a constant flow of food, beverage, and hospitality supplies.
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 New Orleans-to-Savannah corridor spans 717 miles via I-10, I-55, I-16, I-95. This lane connects petrochemicals and port operations freight from the New Orleans 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 New Orleans
New Orleans's economy is driven by petrochemicals, port operations, tourism & hospitality, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
petroleum products
chemical products
grain exports
coffee (re-export)
seafood
rubber & plastics
What Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like New Orleans.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between New Orleans 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.
$1,542-$1,900 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.
$1,900-$2,402 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.
$2,043-$2,617 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,259-$3,047 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the New Orleans to Savannah lane (717 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,542-$1,900 | 13 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $594-$1,009 | 15-17 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,330-$3,227 | 9 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $968-$1,326 | 16-18 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both New Orleans and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
Port of New Orleans
Entergy
Folgers/J.M. Smucker (coffee roasting)
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for New Orleans to Savannah
New Orleans Seasonal Advisory
Mardi Gras (February-March) drives a spike in food service and event freight. Hurricane season (June-November) can disrupt port and refinery operations for weeks. Grain export season peaks October through January as the harvest moves downriver.
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 717-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.
New Orleans to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from New Orleans to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from New Orleans, LA to Savannah, GA currently range from $1,542-$1,900 for a standard dry van load over the 717-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $594-$1,009 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 New Orleans to Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from New Orleans to Savannah is approximately 13 hrs by truck over 717 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 New Orleans to Savannah freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. New Orleans commonly ships petroleum products, chemical products, grain exports, 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 New Orleans?
Yes. Savannah is a strong outbound market shipping containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay. Carriers returning from Savannah to New Orleans can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the New Orleans-to-Savannah lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from New Orleans to Savannah?
The New Orleans-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix. New Orleans's top outbound commodities include petroleum products, chemical products, grain exports, coffee (re-export), seafood, rubber & plastics. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include petrochemicals and port operations from New Orleans and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
Get Exact Rates for New Orleans to Savannah
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