Freight Shipping from Savannah to Chattanooga
Ship freight from Savannah, GA to Chattanooga, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $888-$1,094, LTL from $427-$751. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
413 mi
Drive Time
8 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$888-$1,094
LTL Rate Est.
$427-$751
Consumer Goods Corridor
Savannah → Chattanooga Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
159–180
running this lane
Weekly Loads
36–55
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
64/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$3–$5 one-way passing through GA, TN, NC. 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 Chattanooga 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.
Chattanooga reinvented its freight identity when Volkswagen opened its only U.S. assembly plant here in 2011, now producing the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport for the entire North American market. The I-24/I-75 junction at the Tennessee-Georgia border makes Chattanooga a critical gateway between the Midwest and Southeast. The city's gigabit internet infrastructure has attracted tech companies and Amazon fulfillment, adding e-commerce distribution to the traditional manufacturing freight base.
The Savannah-to-Chattanooga corridor spans 413 miles via I-16, I-95, I-24, I-75. This lane connects port operations and logistics & warehousing freight from the Savannah market to automotive manufacturing and insurance demand in Chattanooga. 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 Chattanooga Receives
Chattanooga's automotive manufacturing, insurance, advanced manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Savannah.
automotive parts (Europe/Mexico)
raw steel
consumer goods
chemicals
electronic components
packaging materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Savannah and Chattanooga, 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.
$888-$1,094 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.
$1,094-$1,384 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.
$1,177-$1,507 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,301-$1,755 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Savannah to Chattanooga lane (413 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $888-$1,094 | 8 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $427-$751 | 10-12 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,342-$1,859 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Savannah and Chattanooga that drive volume on this lane.
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly
Unum Group (HQ)
Gestamp (auto stampings)
Shipping Tips for Savannah to Chattanooga
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.
Chattanooga Seasonal Advisory
VW production runs year-round with a two-week summer shutdown in July and brief December pause. Amazon fulfillment peaks October through December. The proximity to Atlanta creates year-round freight spillover from the Southeast's largest market.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 413 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 Chattanooga — 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
Chattanooga, TN
- Metro Population
- 580K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-24, I-75, US-27
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Chattanooga Intermodal; CSX Wauhatchie Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- Enterprise South Industrial Park (VW), East Brainerd/I-75 South, Ooltewah/I-75 North
“VW Chattanooga operates a sophisticated JIT supply chain with European and Mexican parts arriving by rail and truck on precise schedules. Carriers who earn certified supplier status access dedicated automotive lanes with guaranteed volume — a reliable revenue stream that many owner-operators overlook.”
Return Loads from Chattanooga
Backhaul from Chattanooga to Savannah requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Chattanooga
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Savannah to Chattanooga Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Savannah to Chattanooga?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Savannah, GA to Chattanooga, TN currently range $888-$1,094 (roughly $2.17-$2.67 per mile over 413 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $427-$751 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 Savannah to Chattanooga?
Standard FTL transit from Savannah to Chattanooga is approximately 8 hrs by truck over 413 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 Chattanooga 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. Chattanooga commonly receives automotive parts (Europe/Mexico), raw steel, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Chattanooga to Savannah?
Moderate backhaul (scored 64/100 based on Chattanooga's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Chattanooga to Savannah requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Chattanooga's top outbound commodities — Volkswagen vehicles, automotive components, insurance documents — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Savannah to Chattanooga?
The Savannah-to-Chattanooga corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Savannah's top outbound commodities include containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay, poultry products, resins & chemicals, forest products. Chattanooga's primary inbound freight includes automotive parts (Europe/Mexico), raw steel, consumer goods, chemicals, electronic components, packaging materials. Industries driving this lane include port operations and logistics & warehousing from Savannah and automotive manufacturing and insurance in Chattanooga.
When are rates highest on the Savannah to Chattanooga 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); 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.
Get Exact Rates for Savannah to Chattanooga
We maintain working relationships with 159+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Savannah–Chattanooga 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