Freight Shipping from Ontario to Savannah
Ship freight from Ontario, CA to Savannah, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $5,897-$7,269, LTL from $1,709-$2,732. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,743 mi
Drive Time
50 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$5,897-$7,269
LTL Rate Est.
$1,709-$2,732
Fresh Food Lane
Ontario → Savannah Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
73–94
running this lane
Weekly Loads
36–54
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
92/100
Excellent
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$28–$46 one-way passing through CA, GA, AR, OK, NM, NC. 7 typical fuel stops 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.
Ontario to Savannah Freight Corridor
Ontario is the logistics epicenter of the Inland Empire, anchored by Ontario International Airport's massive air cargo operations and surrounded by over 100 million square feet of warehouse and distribution space. The city's position at the I-10/I-15 junction makes it the primary distribution gateway for goods flowing from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach into the national supply chain. Amazon, UPS, and FedEx all maintain major sort and fulfillment facilities here, and the region's lower costs compared to coastal LA have driven explosive warehouse development.
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 Ontario-to-Savannah corridor spans 2,743 miles via I-10, I-15, I-16, I-95. This lane connects logistics & warehousing and air cargo (ont airport) freight from the Ontario 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 Ontario
Ontario's economy is driven by logistics & warehousing, air cargo (ont airport), e-commerce fulfillment, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
e-commerce shipments
consumer goods
processed foods
building materials
electronics
apparel
What Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Ontario.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Ontario 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.
$5,897-$7,269 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.
$7,818-$10,012 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$8,640-$11,658 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.
$1,709-$2,732 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Ontario to Savannah lane (2,743 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $5,897-$7,269 | 50 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,709-$2,732 | 52-54 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $8,915-$12,344 | 33 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $3,703-$5,075 | 53-55 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Ontario and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon ONT Fulfillment Network
UPS Ontario Hub
FedEx Ground Ontario
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Ontario to Savannah
Ontario Seasonal Advisory
E-commerce fulfillment peaks dramatically during Q4 holidays. Air cargo at ONT surges during holiday season and Valentine's Day (flower imports). Construction freight is year-round due to the Inland Empire's rapid residential development.
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.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,743 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 50 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
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 Ontario and Savannah — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Ontario, CA
- Metro Population
- 185K city (part of Inland Empire)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-10, I-15, SR-60
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF San Bernardino Intermodal (10 mi); UP ICTF Los Angeles (50 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Ontario Ranch/I-15 South, Haven Ave/I-10 Corridor, Milliken Ave Industrial
“Ontario is the single best place in Southern California to find outbound loads. The concentration of distribution centers means carriers can often pick up loads within minutes of delivering, making it the preferred staging area for owner-operators working the SoCal market. The key is arriving early — the best loads post between 6-8 AM.”
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 Ontario 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
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Ontario to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Ontario to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Ontario, CA to Savannah, GA currently range $5,897-$7,269 (roughly $2.16-$2.66 per mile over 2,743 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,709-$2,732 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced 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 Ontario to Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Ontario to Savannah is approximately 50 hrs by truck over 2,743 miles, with 7 typical fuel stops 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 BNSF San Bernardino Intermodal (10 mi) to NS Savannah Intermodal (Mason Mega Rail) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Ontario to Savannah freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Ontario commonly ships e-commerce shipments, consumer goods, processed foods, 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 Ontario?
Excellent backhaul (scored 92/100 based on Savannah's outbound commodity mix). Savannah is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Ontario 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 Ontario to Savannah?
The Ontario-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. Ontario's top outbound commodities include e-commerce shipments, consumer goods, processed foods, building materials, electronics, apparel. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include logistics & warehousing and air cargo (ONT airport) from Ontario and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
What tolls should I expect on the Ontario to Savannah route?
Expect roughly $28-$46 in tolls round-trip passing through CA, GA, AR, OK, NM, NC. Most rate quotes either include tolls in the line-haul or bill them as a separate pass-through — ask your dispatcher to confirm which model applies to your lane.
When are rates highest on the Ontario to Savannah lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to logistics & warehousing and air cargo (ONT airport) cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); 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.
Should I use team drivers for the Ontario to Savannah lane?
At 2,743 miles, this route exceeds a solo driver's hours-of-service limits and requires at least one 10-hour break, adding roughly 14-18 hours to transit. Team drivers typically deliver in 29-36 hours — nearly half the solo transit — at a 20-35% rate premium. For time-critical freight over 1,200 miles, teams generally pay for themselves.
Get Exact Rates for Ontario to Savannah
We maintain working relationships with 73+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Ontario–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