Freight Shipping from Portland to Savannah
Ship freight from Portland, ME to Savannah, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,776-$3,421, LTL from $910-$1,497. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,291 mi
Drive Time
23 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,776-$3,421
LTL Rate Est.
$910-$1,497
Portland to Savannah Freight Corridor
Portland is northern New England's primary freight gateway, with the International Marine Terminal handling containerized cargo from Iceland and Canada. The city's booming seafood processing industry ships temperature-controlled lobster and shellfish to markets nationwide, while IDEXX Laboratories generates steady pharmaceutical-grade freight requiring climate-controlled transport.
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 Portland-to-Savannah corridor spans 1,291 miles via I-95. This lane connects seafood processing and craft brewing & distilling freight from the Portland 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 Portland
Portland's economy is driven by seafood processing, craft brewing & distilling, healthcare, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
lobster & seafood
craft beer
blueberries
paper products
potatoes
wood pellets
What Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Portland.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Portland 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.
$2,776-$3,421 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.
$3,421-$4,325 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.
$3,679-$4,712 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$4,067-$5,487 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Portland to Savannah lane (1,291 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,776-$3,421 | 23 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $910-$1,497 | 25-27 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $4,196-$5,810 | 16 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,743-$2,388 | 26-28 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Portland and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
Cooke Aquaculture
IDEXX Laboratories
WEX Inc.
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Portland to Savannah
Portland Seasonal Advisory
Lobster season peaks July through November, creating intense reefer demand. Heating oil deliveries surge October through March, tightening tanker capacity across the region.
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 1,291 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 23 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.
Portland to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Portland to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Portland, ME to Savannah, GA currently range from $2,776-$3,421 for a standard dry van load over the 1,291-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $910-$1,497 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 Portland to Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Portland to Savannah is approximately 23 hrs by truck over 1,291 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 Portland to Savannah freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Portland commonly ships lobster & seafood, craft beer, blueberries, 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 Portland?
Yes. Savannah is a strong outbound market shipping containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay. Carriers returning from Savannah to Portland can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Portland-to-Savannah lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Portland to Savannah?
The Portland-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Portland's top outbound commodities include lobster & seafood, craft beer, blueberries, paper products, potatoes, wood pellets. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include seafood processing and craft brewing & distilling from Portland and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
Get Exact Rates for Portland to Savannah
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Portland to Savannah lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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