Freight Shipping from Savannah to Knoxville
Ship freight from Savannah, GA to Knoxville, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $875-$1,079, LTL from $424-$746. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
407 mi
Drive Time
7 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$875-$1,079
LTL Rate Est.
$424-$746
Savannah to Knoxville 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.
Knoxville commands the junction of I-40 and I-75, two of the most heavily trafficked freight corridors in the eastern United States. The Tennessee Valley Authority's headquarters drives energy infrastructure freight, while Japanese automotive suppliers like Denso maintain major manufacturing operations in the surrounding counties. The Great Smoky Mountains to the southeast create a natural bottleneck that funnels east-west freight through the Knoxville corridor.
The Savannah-to-Knoxville corridor spans 407 miles via I-16, I-95, I-40, I-75. This lane connects port operations and logistics & warehousing freight from the Savannah market to energy (tva) and automotive parts demand in Knoxville. 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 Knoxville Receives
Knoxville's energy (tva), automotive parts, advanced manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Savannah.
raw metals
automotive sub-assemblies
consumer goods
chemicals
fuel products
construction materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Savannah and Knoxville, 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.
$875-$1,079 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.
$1,079-$1,363 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.
$1,160-$1,486 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,282-$1,730 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Savannah to Knoxville lane (407 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $875-$1,079 | 7 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $424-$746 | 9-11 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,323-$1,832 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Savannah and Knoxville that drive volume on this lane.
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Tennessee Valley Authority (HQ)
Denso Manufacturing (Maryville)
Bush Brothers & Company
Shipping Tips for Savannah to Knoxville
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.
Knoxville Seasonal Advisory
Automotive parts production runs steadily year-round with standard July and December shutdowns. University of Tennessee football season (September-November) creates unusual local delivery surges. Coal freight has declined but still moves consistently to TVA plants.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 407 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.
Savannah to Knoxville Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Savannah to Knoxville?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Savannah, GA to Knoxville, TN currently range from $875-$1,079 for a standard dry van load over the 407-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $424-$746 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 Knoxville?
Standard FTL transit from Savannah to Knoxville is approximately 7 hrs by truck over 407 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%.
What equipment do I need for Savannah to Knoxville 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. Knoxville commonly receives raw metals, automotive sub-assemblies, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Knoxville to Savannah?
Yes. Knoxville is a strong outbound market shipping automotive components, coal, aluminum products. Carriers returning from Knoxville to Savannah can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Savannah-to-Knoxville lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Savannah to Knoxville?
The Savannah-to-Knoxville 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. Knoxville's primary inbound freight includes raw metals, automotive sub-assemblies, consumer goods, chemicals, fuel products, construction materials. Industries driving this lane include port operations and logistics & warehousing from Savannah and energy (TVA) and automotive parts in Knoxville.
Get Exact Rates for Savannah to Knoxville
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Savannah to Knoxville lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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