Freight Shipping from Savannah to Detroit
Ship freight from Savannah, GA to Detroit, MI with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,002-$2,467, LTL from $712-$1,191. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
931 mi
Drive Time
17 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,002-$2,467
LTL Rate Est.
$712-$1,191
Industrial Freight Lane
Savannah → Detroit Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
154–169
running this lane
Weekly Loads
103–124
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.65
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
$12–$21 one-way passing through GA, MI, TN, KY, VA, OH, NC. 2 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Savannah to Detroit 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.
Detroit remains the undisputed capital of North American automotive freight. The Big Three automakers and hundreds of tier-1 suppliers generate an enormous volume of JIT parts shipments crisscrossing the Ambassador Bridge to Canadian assembly plants daily. The EV transition is reshaping freight flows, with massive battery plants from GM (Ultium) and Ford drawing new inbound raw materials from lithium and nickel sources.
The Savannah-to-Detroit corridor spans 931 miles via I-16, I-95, I-75, I-94. This lane connects port operations and logistics & warehousing freight from the Savannah market to automotive manufacturing and autonomous vehicle tech demand in Detroit. 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 Detroit Receives
Detroit's automotive manufacturing, autonomous vehicle tech, steel processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Savannah.
auto parts (cross-border)
raw steel
aluminum
rubber & plastics
electronic components
glass
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Savannah and Detroit, 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.
$2,002-$2,467 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.
$2,467-$3,119 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.
$2,653-$3,398 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,933-$3,957 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Savannah to Detroit lane (931 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,002-$2,467 | 17 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $712-$1,191 | 19-21 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,026-$4,190 | 11 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,257-$1,722 | 20-22 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Savannah and Detroit that drive volume on this lane.
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
General Motors
Ford Motor Company
Stellantis (Chrysler)
Shipping Tips for Savannah to Detroit
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.
Detroit Seasonal Advisory
Automotive production follows a predictable cycle with two-week shutdowns in July and late December. Model changeover periods (August-September) create surge demand for tooling and equipment freight as assembly lines are retooled.
Overnight Transit
This 931-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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Savannah and Detroit — 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
Detroit, MI
- Metro Population
- 4.3M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.20-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-75, I-94, I-96
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Detroit Intermodal; CSX Livernois Junction
- Port Access
- Ambassador Bridge & Detroit-Windsor Tunnel (Canada border, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Romulus/I-94 Airport Corridor, Warren/Sterling Heights, Woodhaven/Downriver
“The Ambassador Bridge and the new Gordie Howe International Bridge handle over 8,000 trucks daily, making the Detroit-Windsor corridor the busiest commercial land crossing in North America. FAST card-holding drivers command premium rates for cross-border automotive lanes.”
Return Loads from Detroit
Detroit generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Savannah is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Detroit
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Savannah to Detroit Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Savannah to Detroit?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Savannah, GA to Detroit, MI currently range $2,002-$2,467 (roughly $2.17-$2.65 per mile over 931 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $712-$1,191 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 Detroit?
Standard FTL transit from Savannah to Detroit is approximately 17 hrs by truck over 931 miles, with 2 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 NS Savannah Intermodal (Mason Mega Rail) to Norfolk Southern Detroit Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Savannah to Detroit 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. Detroit commonly receives auto parts (cross-border), raw steel, aluminum. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Detroit to Savannah?
Strong backhaul (scored 71/100 based on Detroit's outbound commodity mix). Detroit generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Savannah is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Detroit's top outbound commodities — finished vehicles, automotive parts & assemblies, steel coils — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Savannah to Detroit?
The Savannah-to-Detroit corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. Savannah's top outbound commodities include containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay, poultry products, resins & chemicals, forest products. Detroit's primary inbound freight includes auto parts (cross-border), raw steel, aluminum, rubber & plastics, electronic components, glass. Industries driving this lane include port operations and logistics & warehousing from Savannah and automotive manufacturing and autonomous vehicle tech in Detroit.
When are rates highest on the Savannah to Detroit lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to port operations and logistics & warehousing cycles. Key periods: 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, Mon AM, Fri PM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Savannah to Detroit
We maintain working relationships with 154+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Savannah–Detroit 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