Freight Shipping from Savannah to Mobile
Ship freight from Savannah, GA to Mobile, AL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,176-$1,450, LTL from $501-$865. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
547 mi
Drive Time
10 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,176-$1,450
LTL Rate Est.
$501-$865
Industrial Freight Lane
Savannah → Mobile Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
153–178
running this lane
Weekly Loads
38–56
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
55/100
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, AL. 1 typical fuel stop 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 Mobile 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.
Mobile is the Gulf Coast's overlooked freight powerhouse. The Port of Mobile handles 60+ million tons annually and the Airbus A320 final assembly line creates a unique mix of containerized imports, oversize aerospace cargo, and bulk commodities. The AM/NS Calvert steel mill (a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel) is one of the most advanced in North America, generating heavy flatbed volume on I-65 northbound.
The Savannah-to-Mobile corridor spans 547 miles via I-16, I-95, I-10, I-65. This lane connects port operations and logistics & warehousing freight from the Savannah market to shipbuilding and petrochemicals demand in Mobile. 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 Mobile Receives
Mobile's shipbuilding, petrochemicals, aerospace assembly sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Savannah.
steel plate & beams
aircraft components
crude oil
containerized imports
industrial machinery
raw chemicals
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Savannah and Mobile, 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.
$1,176-$1,450 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.
$1,450-$1,832 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.
$1,559-$1,997 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,723-$2,325 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Savannah to Mobile lane (547 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,176-$1,450 | 10 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $501-$865 | 12-14 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,778-$2,462 | 7 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $738-$1,012 | 13-15 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Savannah and Mobile that drive volume on this lane.
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility
Austal USA
AM/NS Calvert Steel
Shipping Tips for Savannah to Mobile
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.
Mobile Seasonal Advisory
Hurricane season (June-November) can shut down port operations for days, creating massive post-storm freight surges. Shrimp season drives reefer demand from May through October.
Overnight Transit
This 547-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 Mobile — 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
Mobile, AL
- Metro Population
- 430K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-10, I-65, US-98
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Mobile Terminal; APM Terminals Mobile
- Port Access
- Port of Mobile (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Theodore Industrial Canal, Brookley Aeroplex
“The I-10/I-65 interchange south of Mobile is one of the most capacity-constrained freight corridors on the Gulf Coast. Carriers staging at the port often wait 4-6 hours for container pickup, so smart brokers build dwell time into their rate calculations.”
Return Loads from Mobile
Backhaul from Mobile to Savannah requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Mobile
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Savannah to Mobile Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Savannah to Mobile?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Savannah, GA to Mobile, AL currently range $1,176-$1,450 (roughly $2.17-$2.67 per mile over 547 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $501-$865 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 Mobile?
Standard FTL transit from Savannah to Mobile is approximately 10 hrs by truck over 547 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 CSX Mobile Terminal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Savannah to Mobile 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. Mobile commonly receives steel plate & beams, aircraft components, crude oil. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Mobile to Savannah?
Moderate backhaul (scored 55/100 based on Mobile's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Mobile to Savannah requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Mobile's top outbound commodities — lumber & timber, petrochemicals, aircraft assemblies — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Savannah to Mobile?
The Savannah-to-Mobile 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. Mobile's primary inbound freight includes steel plate & beams, aircraft components, crude oil, containerized imports, industrial machinery, raw chemicals. Industries driving this lane include port operations and logistics & warehousing from Savannah and shipbuilding and petrochemicals in Mobile.
When are rates highest on the Savannah to Mobile lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to port operations and logistics & warehousing cycles. Key periods: 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 Mobile
We maintain working relationships with 153+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Savannah–Mobile 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