Freight Shipping from Philadelphia to Savannah
Ship freight from Philadelphia, PA to Savannah, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,778-$2,192, LTL from $655-$1,103. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
827 mi
Drive Time
15 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,778-$2,192
LTL Rate Est.
$655-$1,103
Philadelphia to Savannah Freight Corridor
Philadelphia commands the Delaware River waterfront with PhilaPort, the fastest-growing port on the East Coast and the nation's top import point for fresh fruit, cocoa beans, and forest products. The metro's pharmaceutical corridor — stretching from the Navy Yard to the western suburbs — houses major operations from GSK, AstraZeneca, and dozens of biotech firms generating high-value temperature-controlled freight. The I-95/I-76/New Jersey Turnpike interchange makes Philadelphia the Northeast's critical freight chokepoint.
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 Philadelphia-to-Savannah corridor spans 827 miles via I-95. This lane connects pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining freight from the Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
Philadelphia's economy is driven by pharmaceuticals & biotech, petroleum refining, food processing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
refined petroleum
pharmaceuticals
processed foods
chemicals
medical devices
containerized exports
What Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Philadelphia.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Philadelphia 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.
$1,778-$2,192 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.
$2,192-$2,770 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.
$2,357-$3,019 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,605-$3,515 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Philadelphia to Savannah lane (827 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,778-$2,192 | 15 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $655-$1,103 | 17-19 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,688-$3,722 | 10 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,116-$1,530 | 18-20 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Philadelphia and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Philadelphia to Savannah
Philadelphia Seasonal Advisory
Fresh fruit imports peak January through April (Chilean fruit season). Pharmaceutical shipments maintain steady year-round volume with slight spikes during flu vaccine distribution (August-October). Holiday retail import surge hits September 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 827-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.
Philadelphia to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Philadelphia to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Philadelphia, PA to Savannah, GA currently range from $1,778-$2,192 for a standard dry van load over the 827-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $655-$1,103 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 Philadelphia to Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Philadelphia to Savannah is approximately 15 hrs by truck over 827 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 Philadelphia to Savannah freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Philadelphia commonly ships refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, 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 Philadelphia?
Yes. Savannah is a strong outbound market shipping containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay. Carriers returning from Savannah to Philadelphia can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Philadelphia-to-Savannah lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Philadelphia to Savannah?
The Philadelphia-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Philadelphia's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, chemicals, medical devices, containerized exports. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining from Philadelphia and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
Get Exact Rates for Philadelphia to Savannah
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