Freight Shipping from Savannah to Tampa
Ship freight from Savannah, GA to Tampa, FL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $830-$1,023, LTL from $412-$728. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
386 mi
Drive Time
7 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$830-$1,023
LTL Rate Est.
$412-$728
Industrial Freight Lane
Savannah → Tampa Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
154–172
running this lane
Weekly Loads
84–101
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
67/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$6–$10 one-way passing through GA, FL. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Mon, Tue, Wed. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Savannah to Tampa 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.
Tampa Bay's freight economy revolves around three pillars: Mosaic's massive Bone Valley phosphate mining operations that generate millions of tons of bulk freight annually, the Port Tampa Bay petroleum and bulk cargo terminals, and the rapidly growing I-4 corridor distribution zone stretching east toward Orlando and Lakeland. The region's population growth consistently ranks among the fastest in the US, fueling construction material demand that keeps flatbed carriers busy year-round.
The Savannah-to-Tampa corridor spans 386 miles via I-16, I-95, I-75, I-4. This lane connects port operations and logistics & warehousing freight from the Savannah market to healthcare and financial services demand in Tampa. 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 Tampa Receives
Tampa's healthcare, financial services, tourism sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Savannah.
construction materials
consumer goods
petroleum products
food & beverage
automotive vehicles
industrial equipment
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Savannah and Tampa, 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.
$830-$1,023 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.
$1,023-$1,293 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.
$1,100-$1,409 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,216-$1,641 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Savannah to Tampa lane (386 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $830-$1,023 | 7 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $412-$728 | 9-11 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,255-$1,737 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Savannah and Tampa that drive volume on this lane.
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Mosaic Company (HQ)
Amazon (3 facilities)
Jabil Inc. (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Savannah to Tampa
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.
Tampa Seasonal Advisory
Citrus season (November-May) drives reefer demand from groves in Polk and Highlands counties. Strawberry harvest from Plant City peaks January through March. Hurricane season can disrupt port operations and trigger emergency supply freight.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 386 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 Tampa — 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
Tampa, FL
- Metro Population
- 3.2M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.20-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-75, I-4, I-275
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Tampa Intermodal
- Port Access
- Port Tampa Bay (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- East Tampa/I-4 Corridor, Lakeland/Polk County, Plant City
“The Lakeland/Plant City area between Tampa and Orlando has emerged as Central Florida's primary warehouse zone, offering lower rents than either metro while providing same-day delivery access to both. Carriers who service this corridor can often run multiple short-haul loads per day.”
Return Loads from Tampa
Backhaul from Tampa to Savannah requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Tampa
Seasonal Rate Patterns
May-Aug (produce season)
+12-18% on reefer capacity
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 Tampa Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Savannah to Tampa?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Savannah, GA to Tampa, FL currently range $830-$1,023 (roughly $2.17-$2.68 per mile over 386 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $412-$728 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 Tampa?
Standard FTL transit from Savannah to Tampa is approximately 7 hrs by truck over 386 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 Tampa 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. Tampa commonly receives construction materials, consumer goods, petroleum products. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Tampa to Savannah?
Moderate backhaul (scored 67/100 based on Tampa's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Tampa to Savannah requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Tampa's top outbound commodities — phosphate rock & fertilizer, citrus products, medical devices — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Savannah to Tampa?
The Savannah-to-Tampa 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. Tampa's primary inbound freight includes construction materials, consumer goods, petroleum products, food & beverage, automotive vehicles, industrial equipment. Industries driving this lane include port operations and logistics & warehousing from Savannah and healthcare and financial services in Tampa.
When are rates highest on the Savannah to Tampa lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to port operations and logistics & warehousing cycles. Key periods: May-Aug (produce season) (+12-18% on reefer capacity); 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 (Mon, Tue, Wed) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Can freight from Savannah to Tampa be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 386 miles (7 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Savannah-to-Tampa 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 Tampa
We maintain working relationships with 154+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Savannah–Tampa 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