Freight Shipping from Norfolk to Savannah
Ship freight from Norfolk, VA to Savannah, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,198-$1,476, LTL from $506-$873. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
557 mi
Drive Time
10 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,198-$1,476
LTL Rate Est.
$506-$873
Norfolk to Savannah Freight Corridor
Norfolk is the East Coast's deepest natural harbor and home to the Port of Virginia — the third-largest container port in the U.S. and the only East Coast port with 55-foot channels capable of handling fully loaded ultra-large container vessels at any tide. Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval base, generates enormous military logistics volume. Huntington Ingalls' Newport News Shipyard builds America's aircraft carriers and submarines, creating specialized oversize freight that moves nowhere else in the country.
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 Norfolk-to-Savannah corridor spans 557 miles via I-64, I-264, I-16, I-95. This lane connects military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics freight from the Norfolk 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 Norfolk
Norfolk's economy is driven by military & naval operations, port & maritime logistics, shipbuilding, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
containerized exports
coal
soybeans & grain
tobacco
military equipment
forest products
What Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Norfolk.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Norfolk 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.
$1,198-$1,476 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.
$1,587-$2,033 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,755-$2,367 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.
$506-$873 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Norfolk to Savannah lane (557 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,198-$1,476 | 10 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $506-$873 | 12-14 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,810-$2,507 | 7 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $752-$1,030 | 13-15 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Norfolk and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
Naval Station Norfolk (world's largest naval base)
Huntington Ingalls Industries (Newport News Shipbuilding)
Virginia Port Authority
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Norfolk to Savannah
Norfolk Seasonal Advisory
Import container volumes peak August through November during retail peak season. Coal exports fluctuate with global energy demand and Asian steel production. Military freight is steady year-round but surges during deployment cycles and fleet maintenance periods.
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 557-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.
Norfolk to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Norfolk to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Norfolk, VA to Savannah, GA currently range from $1,198-$1,476 for a standard dry van load over the 557-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $506-$873 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 Norfolk to Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Norfolk to Savannah is approximately 10 hrs by truck over 557 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 Norfolk to Savannah freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Norfolk commonly ships containerized exports, coal, soybeans & grain, 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 Norfolk?
Yes. Savannah is a strong outbound market shipping containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay. Carriers returning from Savannah to Norfolk can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Norfolk-to-Savannah lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Norfolk to Savannah?
The Norfolk-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Norfolk's top outbound commodities include containerized exports, coal, soybeans & grain, tobacco, military equipment, forest products. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics from Norfolk and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
Get Exact Rates for Norfolk to Savannah
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