Freight Shipping from Savannah to Joliet
Ship freight from Savannah, GA to Joliet, IL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,118-$2,610, LTL from $742-$1,237. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
985 mi
Drive Time
18 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,118-$2,610
LTL Rate Est.
$742-$1,237
Savannah to Joliet 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.
Joliet and its surrounding Will County communities sit atop the most concentrated intermodal and distribution infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere. The CenterPoint Intermodal Center, spanning over 6,000 acres, combines UP's Global IV facility with over 30 million square feet of distribution space occupied by Walmart, Amazon, IKEA, and dozens of other major shippers. This is where West Coast container imports transition from rail to truck for final-mile delivery across the Midwest and Northeast.
The Savannah-to-Joliet corridor spans 985 miles via I-16, I-95, I-80, I-55. This lane connects port operations and logistics & warehousing freight from the Savannah market to intermodal logistics and warehousing & distribution demand in Joliet. 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 Joliet Receives
Joliet's intermodal logistics, warehousing & distribution, e-commerce fulfillment sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Savannah.
containerized imports (from West Coast)
raw materials
food products
retail merchandise
industrial supplies
automotive components
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Savannah and Joliet, 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.
$2,118-$2,610 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.
$2,610-$3,300 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,103-$4,186 estimated for this lane
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
Cost-effective for shipments under 10,000 lbs or fewer than 10 pallets. Shared trailer space with other shippers reduces cost for smaller loads.
$742-$1,237 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Savannah to Joliet lane (985 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,118-$2,610 | 18 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $742-$1,237 | 20-22 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,201-$4,433 | 12 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,330-$1,822 | 21-23 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Savannah and Joliet that drive volume on this lane.
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Walmart (Elwood Mega-DC)
Amazon (CenterPoint)
IKEA Distribution
Shipping Tips for Savannah to Joliet
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.
Joliet Seasonal Advisory
Q4 holiday freight creates near-gridlock conditions on I-80 and I-55 as intermodal volume peaks. January sees a dramatic drop-off. Spring produce season restocks create a secondary peak in March-April.
Overnight Transit
This 985-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.
Savannah to Joliet Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Savannah to Joliet?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Savannah, GA to Joliet, IL currently range from $2,118-$2,610 for a standard dry van load over the 985-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $742-$1,237 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 Savannah to Joliet?
Standard FTL transit from Savannah to Joliet is approximately 18 hrs by truck over 985 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 Savannah to Joliet 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. Joliet commonly receives containerized imports (from West Coast), raw materials, food products. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Joliet to Savannah?
Yes. Joliet is a strong outbound market shipping redistributed consumer goods, intermodal containers, packaged foods. Carriers returning from Joliet to Savannah can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Savannah-to-Joliet lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Savannah to Joliet?
The Savannah-to-Joliet corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Savannah's top outbound commodities include containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay, poultry products, resins & chemicals, forest products. Joliet's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (from West Coast), raw materials, food products, retail merchandise, industrial supplies, automotive components. Industries driving this lane include port operations and logistics & warehousing from Savannah and intermodal logistics and warehousing & distribution in Joliet.
Get Exact Rates for Savannah to Joliet
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Savannah to Joliet lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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