Freight Shipping from Savannah to Wilmington
Ship freight from Savannah, GA to Wilmington, DE with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,714-$2,112, LTL from $638-$1,077. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
797 mi
Drive Time
14 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,714-$2,112
LTL Rate Est.
$638-$1,077
Savannah to Wilmington 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.
Wilmington punches far above its size thanks to Delaware's corporate-friendly laws that have attracted over a million business registrations. More practically for freight, the city's chemical heritage (DuPont was founded here in 1802) means the region has deep infrastructure for hazmat transportation, including specialized tank wash facilities, chemical storage terminals, and a carrier base experienced in RCRA and DOT hazmat compliance. The Port of Wilmington is the top banana-importing port in North America.
The Savannah-to-Wilmington corridor spans 797 miles via I-95. This lane connects port operations and logistics & warehousing freight from the Savannah market to pharmaceuticals and chemical manufacturing demand in Wilmington. 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 Wilmington Receives
Wilmington's pharmaceuticals, chemical manufacturing, financial services sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Savannah.
chemical feedstocks
packaging materials
laboratory equipment
office supplies
consumer goods
raw materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Savannah and Wilmington, 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.
$1,714-$2,112 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.
$2,112-$2,670 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,511-$3,387 estimated for this lane
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
Cost-effective for shipments under 10,000 lbs or fewer than 10 pallets. Shared trailer space with other shippers reduces cost for smaller loads.
$638-$1,077 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Savannah to Wilmington lane (797 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,714-$2,112 | 14 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $638-$1,077 | 16-18 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,590-$3,587 | 10 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,076-$1,474 | 17-19 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Savannah and Wilmington that drive volume on this lane.
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
AstraZeneca
DuPont (now Corteva/IFF)
Chemours
Shipping Tips for Savannah to Wilmington
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.
Wilmington Seasonal Advisory
Banana imports through the Port of Wilmington are year-round but peak in summer. Pharmaceutical shipments maintain steady cadence with slight Q4 increases for flu vaccine distribution. Delmarva poultry production peaks ahead of summer grilling season.
Overnight Transit
This 797-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 Wilmington Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Savannah to Wilmington?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Savannah, GA to Wilmington, DE currently range from $1,714-$2,112 for a standard dry van load over the 797-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $638-$1,077 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 Wilmington?
Standard FTL transit from Savannah to Wilmington is approximately 14 hrs by truck over 797 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 Wilmington 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. Wilmington commonly receives chemical feedstocks, packaging materials, laboratory equipment. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Wilmington to Savannah?
Yes. Wilmington is a strong outbound market shipping pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, financial documents. Carriers returning from Wilmington to Savannah can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Savannah-to-Wilmington lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Savannah to Wilmington?
The Savannah-to-Wilmington 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. Wilmington's primary inbound freight includes chemical feedstocks, packaging materials, laboratory equipment, office supplies, consumer goods, raw materials. Industries driving this lane include port operations and logistics & warehousing from Savannah and pharmaceuticals and chemical manufacturing in Wilmington.
Get Exact Rates for Savannah to Wilmington
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