Freight Shipping from Savannah to Phoenix
Ship freight from Savannah, GA to Phoenix, AZ with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $5,020-$6,188, LTL from $1,484-$2,385. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,335 mi
Drive Time
42 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$5,020-$6,188
LTL Rate Est.
$1,484-$2,385
Consumer Goods Corridor
Savannah → Phoenix Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
87–104
running this lane
Weekly Loads
106–122
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
68/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$16–$26 one-way passing through GA, AZ, AR, NM. 6 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Savannah to Phoenix 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.
Phoenix's freight economy has transformed from a construction-dependent market into a technology-driven logistics powerhouse. TSMC's $40 billion fab complex and Intel's expanding Chandler campus generate premium temperature-controlled semiconductor freight that commands top dollar. The Loop 303 corridor in Goodyear has added 30+ million square feet of warehouse space since 2020, making it the fastest-growing distribution zone west of the Mississippi.
The Savannah-to-Phoenix corridor spans 2,335 miles via I-16, I-95, I-10, I-17. This lane connects port operations and logistics & warehousing freight from the Savannah market to semiconductor manufacturing and aerospace demand in Phoenix. 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 Phoenix Receives
Phoenix's semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, data centers sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Savannah.
consumer goods
construction lumber
food & beverage
automotive vehicles
industrial chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Savannah and Phoenix, 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.
$5,020-$6,188 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.
$6,188-$7,822 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.
$6,655-$8,523 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$7,355-$9,924 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Savannah to Phoenix lane (2,335 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $5,020-$6,188 | 42 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,484-$2,385 | 44-46 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $7,589-$10,508 | 28 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $3,152-$4,320 | 45-47 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Savannah and Phoenix that drive volume on this lane.
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Intel Chandler Fab
TSMC Arizona
Amazon (5 fulfillment centers)
Shipping Tips for Savannah to Phoenix
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.
Phoenix Seasonal Advisory
Summer produce season (May-September) drives reefer demand from Yuma-area farms. Holiday e-commerce fulfillment peaks October through December, when Amazon's five Phoenix-area facilities run triple shifts.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,335 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 42 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
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 Phoenix — 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
Phoenix, AZ
- Metro Population
- 4.9M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.30-$2.65/mi
- Key Highways
- I-10, I-17, Loop 303
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Phoenix Intermodal; UP Guadalupe Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- Goodyear/Buckeye (Loop 303), Chandler/Gilbert, Southwest Phoenix (I-10)
“Phoenix is chronically short on inbound freight, creating a persistent capacity imbalance. Carriers delivering into Phoenix often face 200+ mile deadhead runs to find outbound loads, which inflates inbound rates by 20-30% compared to markets with balanced freight flows.”
Return Loads from Phoenix
Phoenix generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Savannah is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Phoenix
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Savannah to Phoenix Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Savannah to Phoenix?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Savannah, GA to Phoenix, AZ currently range $5,020-$6,188 (roughly $2.18-$2.68 per mile over 2,335 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,484-$2,385 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently tight 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 Phoenix?
Standard FTL transit from Savannah to Phoenix is approximately 42 hrs by truck over 2,335 miles, with 6 typical fuel stops 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 BNSF Phoenix Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Savannah to Phoenix 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. Phoenix commonly receives consumer goods, construction lumber, food & beverage. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Phoenix to Savannah?
Strong backhaul (scored 68/100 based on Phoenix's outbound commodity mix). Phoenix generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Savannah is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Phoenix's top outbound commodities — semiconductors & electronics, aerospace components, copper products — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Savannah to Phoenix?
The Savannah-to-Phoenix corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Savannah's top outbound commodities include containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay, poultry products, resins & chemicals, forest products. Phoenix's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, construction lumber, food & beverage, automotive vehicles, industrial chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include port operations and logistics & warehousing from Savannah and semiconductor manufacturing and aerospace in Phoenix.
When are rates highest on the Savannah to Phoenix lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to port operations and logistics & warehousing cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Should I use team drivers for the Savannah to Phoenix lane?
At 2,335 miles, this route exceeds a solo driver's hours-of-service limits and requires at least one 10-hour break, adding roughly 14-18 hours to transit. Team drivers typically deliver in 25-30 hours — nearly half the solo transit — at a 20-35% rate premium. For time-critical freight over 1,200 miles, teams generally pay for themselves.
Get Exact Rates for Savannah to Phoenix
We maintain working relationships with 87+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Savannah–Phoenix 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