Freight Shipping from Savannah to Charleston
Ship freight from Savannah, GA to Charleston, SC with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $232-$286, LTL from $259-$492. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
108 mi
Drive Time
2 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$232-$286
LTL Rate Est.
$259-$492
Auto Manufacturing Corridor
Savannah → Charleston Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
192–214
running this lane
Weekly Loads
48–68
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
71/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$1–$1 one-way passing through GA, SC. 1 typical fuel stop 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.
Savannah to Charleston Freight Corridor
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.
Charleston has emerged as the Southeast's premium port, with the deepest harbor on the East Coast and the brand-new Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal adding 700,000 TEUs of capacity. BMW ships every X3, X5, and X7 through Charleston — the plant in Greer, SC is BMW's largest factory worldwide — while Boeing's final assembly facility builds 787 Dreamliner fuselage sections. The port handles $75+ billion in annual trade, and the SC Ports Authority's inland port network extends the port's reach deep into the Carolinas and Georgia.
The Savannah-to-Charleston corridor spans 108 miles via I-16, I-95, I-26, I-526. This lane connects port operations and logistics & warehousing freight from the Savannah market to port & maritime logistics and automotive manufacturing demand in Charleston. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Savannah
Savannah's economy is driven by port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
containerized imports (redistributed)
paper & pulp products
kaolin clay
poultry products
resins & chemicals
forest products
What Charleston Receives
Charleston's port & maritime logistics, automotive manufacturing, aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Savannah.
containerized imports (Asia/Europe)
automotive parts
raw materials
machinery
retail merchandise
chemicals
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Savannah and Charleston, 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.
$232-$286 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.
$286-$362 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.
$308-$394 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$340-$459 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Savannah to Charleston lane (108 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $232-$286 | 2 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $259-$492 | 4-6 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $351-$486 | 1 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Savannah and Charleston that drive volume on this lane.
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
BMW Manufacturing (Greer)
Boeing Charleston
Volvo Cars (Ridgeville)
Shipping Tips for Savannah to Charleston
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.
Charleston Seasonal Advisory
Import volumes peak August through November ahead of holiday retail season. BMW production runs year-round with a two-week July shutdown. Boeing's delivery schedule creates irregular but high-value oversize moves throughout the year.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 108 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
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 Savannah and Charleston — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
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.”
Destination
Charleston, SC
- Metro Population
- 850K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.20-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-26, I-526, US-17
- Rail / Intermodal
- SC Ports Inland Port Dillon; Norfolk Southern Charleston Terminal; Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal
- Port Access
- Port of Charleston (Atlantic Ocean, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- North Charleston/I-26 Industrial, Summerville/I-26 West, Daniel Island/Wando Welch Terminal
“Charleston's container imbalance creates opportunity — more loaded containers arrive than depart, meaning drayage carriers can often negotiate favorable rates on export repositioning moves. The I-26 corridor between Charleston and the Upstate is a continuous automotive supply chain pipeline.”
Return Loads from Charleston
Charleston generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Savannah is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Charleston
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Savannah to Charleston Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Savannah to Charleston?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Savannah, GA to Charleston, SC currently range $232-$286 (roughly $2.16-$2.66 per mile over 108 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $259-$492 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently tight 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 Savannah to Charleston?
Standard FTL transit from Savannah to Charleston is approximately 2 hrs by truck over 108 miles, with 1 typical fuel stop 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%.
What equipment do I need for Savannah to Charleston freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Savannah commonly ships containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Charleston commonly receives containerized imports (Asia/Europe), automotive parts, raw materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Charleston to Savannah?
Strong backhaul (scored 71/100 based on Charleston's outbound commodity mix). Charleston generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Savannah is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Charleston's top outbound commodities — BMW vehicles, containerized exports, Boeing 787 components — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Savannah to Charleston?
The Savannah-to-Charleston corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Auto Manufacturing Corridor. Savannah's top outbound commodities include containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay, poultry products, resins & chemicals, forest products. Charleston's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (Asia/Europe), automotive parts, raw materials, machinery, retail merchandise, chemicals. Industries driving this lane include port operations and logistics & warehousing from Savannah and port & maritime logistics and automotive manufacturing in Charleston.
When are rates highest on the Savannah to Charleston lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to port operations and logistics & warehousing cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Can freight from Savannah to Charleston be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 108 miles (2 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Savannah-to-Charleston lane in one shift. Same-day delivery requires booking before 9 AM local time at origin and confirming dock availability at destination. Expedited service runs 2 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Savannah to Charleston
We maintain working relationships with 192+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Savannah–Charleston 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