Freight Shipping from Savannah to Fort Lauderdale
Ship freight from Savannah, GA to Fort Lauderdale, FL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,161-$1,431, LTL from $497-$859. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
540 mi
Drive Time
10 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,161-$1,431
LTL Rate Est.
$497-$859
Fresh Food Lane
Savannah → Fort Lauderdale Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
153–175
running this lane
Weekly Loads
87–106
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
60/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$9–$14 one-way passing through GA, FL. 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 Fort Lauderdale 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.
Fort Lauderdale is the yachting capital of the world, and that maritime heritage shapes its freight economy. Port Everglades is one of the busiest cruise ports globally (4 million+ passengers annually), generating enormous provisioning freight. The I-595 corridor connects the port to the Florida Turnpike, creating a vital east-west freight artery. The city's aviation MRO cluster at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International repairs and overhauls aircraft for carriers worldwide, producing specialized heavy-freight shipments of engines and landing gear.
The Savannah-to-Fort Lauderdale corridor spans 540 miles via I-95. This lane connects port operations and logistics & warehousing freight from the Savannah market to marine industry and aviation mro demand in Fort Lauderdale. 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 Fort Lauderdale Receives
Fort Lauderdale's marine industry, aviation mro, tourism sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Savannah.
yacht components
aircraft engines (for overhaul)
consumer goods
construction materials
food & beverage
luxury goods
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Savannah and Fort Lauderdale, 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.
$1,161-$1,431 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.
$1,431-$1,809 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.
$1,539-$1,971 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,701-$2,295 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Savannah to Fort Lauderdale lane (540 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,161-$1,431 | 10 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $497-$859 | 12-14 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,755-$2,430 | 7 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $729-$999 | 13-15 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Savannah and Fort Lauderdale that drive volume on this lane.
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Spirit Airlines (HQ)
AutoNation (HQ)
Citrix Systems
Shipping Tips for Savannah to Fort Lauderdale
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.
Fort Lauderdale Seasonal Advisory
Cruise season peaks November through April, driving provisioning freight. The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (October) creates a temporary but massive surge in oversize yacht transport and marine equipment shipping.
Overnight Transit
This 540-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 Fort Lauderdale — 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
Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Metro Population
- 2.0M metro (Broward County)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.40-$2.75/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95, I-595, Florida Turnpike
- Rail / Intermodal
- FEC Fort Lauderdale Terminal
- Port Access
- Port Everglades (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Dania Beach/I-595, Pompano Beach/I-95, Sunrise/Sawgrass
“Cruise ship provisioning at Port Everglades follows a rigid weekly schedule tied to departure days. A single large cruise vessel requires 10-15 truckloads of food, beverages, and supplies, all delivered within a 6-hour window before sailing. Late deliveries mean the ship sails without the goods.”
Return Loads from Fort Lauderdale
Backhaul from Fort Lauderdale to Savannah requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Fort Lauderdale
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Savannah to Fort Lauderdale Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Savannah to Fort Lauderdale?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Savannah, GA to Fort Lauderdale, FL currently range $1,161-$1,431 (roughly $2.17-$2.67 per mile over 540 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $497-$859 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 Fort Lauderdale?
Standard FTL transit from Savannah to Fort Lauderdale is approximately 10 hrs by truck over 540 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service via NS Savannah Intermodal (Mason Mega Rail) to FEC Fort Lauderdale Terminal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Savannah to Fort Lauderdale 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. Fort Lauderdale commonly receives yacht components, aircraft engines (for overhaul), consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Fort Lauderdale to Savannah?
Moderate backhaul (scored 60/100 based on Fort Lauderdale's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Fort Lauderdale to Savannah requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Fort Lauderdale's top outbound commodities — yachts & marine vessels, aircraft parts (MRO), cruise ship supplies — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Savannah to Fort Lauderdale?
The Savannah-to-Fort Lauderdale corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. Savannah's top outbound commodities include containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay, poultry products, resins & chemicals, forest products. Fort Lauderdale's primary inbound freight includes yacht components, aircraft engines (for overhaul), consumer goods, construction materials, food & beverage, luxury goods. Industries driving this lane include port operations and logistics & warehousing from Savannah and marine industry and aviation MRO in Fort Lauderdale.
When are rates highest on the Savannah to Fort Lauderdale 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); 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 Fort Lauderdale
We maintain working relationships with 153+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Savannah–Fort Lauderdale 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