Freight Shipping from Savannah to Norfolk

557 miles10 hrs transitRates in 15 Minutes

Ship freight from Savannah, GA to Norfolk, VA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,198-$1,476, LTL from $506-$873. No hidden fees, no re-bills.

Distance

557 mi

Drive Time

10 hrs

FTL Rate Est.

$1,198-$1,476

LTL Rate Est.

$506-$873

Savannah to Norfolk 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.

Norfolk is the East Coast's deepest natural harbor and home to the Port of Virginia — the third-largest container port in the U.S. and the only East Coast port with 55-foot channels capable of handling fully loaded ultra-large container vessels at any tide. Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval base, generates enormous military logistics volume. Huntington Ingalls' Newport News Shipyard builds America's aircraft carriers and submarines, creating specialized oversize freight that moves nowhere else in the country.

The Savannah-to-Norfolk corridor spans 557 miles via I-16, I-95, I-64, I-264. This lane connects port operations and logistics & warehousing freight from the Savannah market to military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics demand in Norfolk. 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 Norfolk Receives

Norfolk's military & naval operations, port & maritime logistics, shipbuilding sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Savannah.

containerized imports (Asia/Europe)

vehicles (auto import)

crude oil

machinery

consumer goods

building materials

Recommended Equipment

Based on the commodities moving between Savannah and Norfolk, 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.

$1,198-$1,476 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.

$1,476-$1,866 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.

$1,587-$2,033 estimated for this lane

Tanker / Hazmat

Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.

$1,755-$2,367 estimated for this lane

Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode

Estimated rates for the Savannah to Norfolk lane (557 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.

ModeRate EstimateTransit
FTL (Full Truckload)$1,198-$1,47610 hrs
LTL (Less Than Truckload)$506-$87312-14 days
Expedited / Hot Shot$1,810-$2,5077 hrs
Intermodal (Rail + Truck)$752-$1,03013-15 days

Major Shippers on This Corridor

Key freight generators in both Savannah and Norfolk that drive volume on this lane.

Georgia Ports Authority

Gulfstream Aerospace

International Paper

Naval Station Norfolk (world's largest naval base)

Huntington Ingalls Industries (Newport News Shipbuilding)

Virginia Port Authority

Shipping Tips for Savannah to Norfolk

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.

Norfolk Seasonal Advisory

Import container volumes peak August through November during retail peak season. Coal exports fluctuate with global energy demand and Asian steel production. Military freight is steady year-round but surges during deployment cycles and fleet maintenance periods.

Overnight Transit

This 557-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 Norfolk Freight FAQs

How much does it cost to ship freight from Savannah to Norfolk?

Full truckload (FTL) rates from Savannah, GA to Norfolk, VA currently range from $1,198-$1,476 for a standard dry van load over the 557-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $506-$873 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 Norfolk?

Standard FTL transit from Savannah to Norfolk is approximately 10 hrs by truck over 557 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 Norfolk 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. Norfolk commonly receives containerized imports (Asia/Europe), vehicles (auto import), crude oil. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.

Is there good backhaul from Norfolk to Savannah?

Yes. Norfolk is a strong outbound market shipping containerized exports, coal, soybeans & grain. Carriers returning from Norfolk to Savannah can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Savannah-to-Norfolk lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.

What commodities move from Savannah to Norfolk?

The Savannah-to-Norfolk 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. Norfolk's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (Asia/Europe), vehicles (auto import), crude oil, machinery, consumer goods, building materials. Industries driving this lane include port operations and logistics & warehousing from Savannah and military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics in Norfolk.

Get Exact Rates for Savannah to Norfolk

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