Freight Shipping from Savannah to Philadelphia
Ship freight from Savannah, GA to Philadelphia, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,778-$2,192, LTL from $655-$1,103. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
827 mi
Drive Time
15 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,778-$2,192
LTL Rate Est.
$655-$1,103
Savannah to Philadelphia 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.
Philadelphia commands the Delaware River waterfront with PhilaPort, the fastest-growing port on the East Coast and the nation's top import point for fresh fruit, cocoa beans, and forest products. The metro's pharmaceutical corridor — stretching from the Navy Yard to the western suburbs — houses major operations from GSK, AstraZeneca, and dozens of biotech firms generating high-value temperature-controlled freight. The I-95/I-76/New Jersey Turnpike interchange makes Philadelphia the Northeast's critical freight chokepoint.
The Savannah-to-Philadelphia corridor spans 827 miles via I-95. This lane connects port operations and logistics & warehousing freight from the Savannah market to pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining demand in Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia Receives
Philadelphia's pharmaceuticals & biotech, petroleum refining, food processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Savannah.
crude oil
containerized imports
cocoa beans & sugar
vehicles
steel & metals
produce (Latin America)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Savannah and Philadelphia, 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.
$1,778-$2,192 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.
$2,192-$2,770 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.
$2,357-$3,019 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,605-$3,515 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Savannah to Philadelphia lane (827 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,778-$2,192 | 15 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $655-$1,103 | 17-19 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,688-$3,722 | 10 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,116-$1,530 | 18-20 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Savannah and Philadelphia that drive volume on this lane.
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Shipping Tips for Savannah to Philadelphia
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.
Philadelphia Seasonal Advisory
Fresh fruit imports peak January through April (Chilean fruit season). Pharmaceutical shipments maintain steady year-round volume with slight spikes during flu vaccine distribution (August-October). Holiday retail import surge hits September through November.
Overnight Transit
This 827-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 Philadelphia Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Savannah to Philadelphia?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Savannah, GA to Philadelphia, PA currently range from $1,778-$2,192 for a standard dry van load over the 827-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $655-$1,103 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 Philadelphia?
Standard FTL transit from Savannah to Philadelphia is approximately 15 hrs by truck over 827 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 Philadelphia 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. Philadelphia commonly receives crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Philadelphia to Savannah?
Yes. Philadelphia is a strong outbound market shipping refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods. Carriers returning from Philadelphia to Savannah can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Savannah-to-Philadelphia lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Savannah to Philadelphia?
The Savannah-to-Philadelphia 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. Philadelphia's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar, vehicles, steel & metals, produce (Latin America). Industries driving this lane include port operations and logistics & warehousing from Savannah and pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining in Philadelphia.
Get Exact Rates for Savannah to Philadelphia
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Savannah to Philadelphia lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts