Freight Shipping from Savannah to Raleigh
Ship freight from Savannah, GA to Raleigh, NC with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $815-$1,004, LTL from $408-$722. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
379 mi
Drive Time
7 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$815-$1,004
LTL Rate Est.
$408-$722
Port Drayage Corridor
Savannah → Raleigh Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
153–178
running this lane
Weekly Loads
90–104
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
57/100
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, NC. 1 typical fuel stop 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 Raleigh 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.
Raleigh-Durham's Research Triangle Park (RTP) is the largest research park in the United States, housing 300+ companies that generate a unique freight mix of pharmaceutical shipments, laboratory equipment, and high-tech components. The Triangle's rapid population growth (50%+ in 20 years) has made it one of the fastest-growing freight markets on the East Coast, with new distribution center development struggling to keep pace.
The Savannah-to-Raleigh corridor spans 379 miles via I-16, I-95, I-40, I-540. This lane connects port operations and logistics & warehousing freight from the Savannah market to technology & software and biotech & pharmaceuticals demand in Raleigh. 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 Raleigh Receives
Raleigh's technology & software, biotech & pharmaceuticals, higher education sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Savannah.
consumer goods
lab equipment
building materials
electronics
food & beverage
packaging materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Savannah and Raleigh, 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.
$815-$1,004 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.
$1,004-$1,270 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.
$1,080-$1,383 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,194-$1,611 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Savannah to Raleigh lane (379 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $815-$1,004 | 7 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $408-$722 | 9-11 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,232-$1,706 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Savannah and Raleigh that drive volume on this lane.
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Cisco Systems (RTP)
Biogen (RTP)
Fidelity Investments
Shipping Tips for Savannah to Raleigh
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.
Raleigh Seasonal Advisory
Sweet potato harvest (September-November) from the eastern NC farms creates reefer demand on I-95 and I-40. University move-in season at Duke, UNC, and NC State (August) generates household goods freight surges across the Triangle.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 379 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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Savannah and Raleigh — 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
Raleigh, NC
- Metro Population
- 1.4M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-40, I-540, US-70
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Rocky Mount Intermodal (60 mi east)
- Warehouse Districts
- Selma/I-95 Corridor, Morrisville/RTP Area, Garner/I-40 South
“RTP's pharmaceutical and biotech shippers require validated temperature-controlled lanes with real-time monitoring and chain-of-custody documentation. Carriers with GDP (Good Distribution Practice) compliance certifications access the highest-paying freight in the region.”
Return Loads from Raleigh
Backhaul from Raleigh to Savannah requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Raleigh
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Savannah to Raleigh Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Savannah to Raleigh?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Savannah, GA to Raleigh, NC currently range $815-$1,004 (roughly $2.17-$2.65 per mile over 379 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $408-$722 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 Raleigh?
Standard FTL transit from Savannah to Raleigh is approximately 7 hrs by truck over 379 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%.
What equipment do I need for Savannah to Raleigh 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. Raleigh commonly receives consumer goods, lab equipment, building materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Raleigh to Savannah?
Moderate backhaul (scored 57/100 based on Raleigh's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Raleigh to Savannah requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Raleigh's top outbound commodities — pharmaceuticals, medical devices, tech hardware — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Savannah to Raleigh?
The Savannah-to-Raleigh corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Savannah's top outbound commodities include containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay, poultry products, resins & chemicals, forest products. Raleigh's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, lab equipment, building materials, electronics, food & beverage, packaging materials. Industries driving this lane include port operations and logistics & warehousing from Savannah and technology & software and biotech & pharmaceuticals in Raleigh.
When are rates highest on the Savannah to Raleigh 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); 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.
Can freight from Savannah to Raleigh be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 379 miles (7 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Savannah-to-Raleigh lane in one shift. Same-day delivery requires booking before 9 AM local time at origin and confirming dock availability at destination. Expedited service runs 6 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Savannah to Raleigh
We maintain working relationships with 153+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Savannah–Raleigh 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