Freight Shipping from Tampa to Jacksonville
Ship freight from Tampa, FL to Jacksonville, FL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $479-$591, LTL from $323-$590. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
223 mi
Drive Time
4 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$479-$591
LTL Rate Est.
$323-$590
Port Drayage Corridor
Tampa → Jacksonville Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
151–169
running this lane
Weekly Loads
189–209
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
92/100
Excellent
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$6–$9 one-way passing through 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.
Tampa to Jacksonville Freight Corridor
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.
Jacksonville is where the Southeast's freight arteries converge. As CSX's headquarters city and the junction of I-95 and I-10, Jax controls rail and truck freight flows between the entire Eastern Seaboard and the Gulf Coast. JAXPORT is the #1 vehicle-import port in the US, processing over 700,000 vehicles annually that Southeast Toyota and other distributors truck to dealerships across the Southeast. The city's geographic position makes it the ideal repositioning hub for carriers running Florida's north-south lanes.
The Tampa-to-Jacksonville corridor spans 223 miles via I-75, I-4, I-95, I-10. This lane connects healthcare and financial services freight from the Tampa market to logistics & distribution and automotive import processing demand in Jacksonville. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Tampa
Tampa's economy is driven by healthcare, financial services, tourism, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
phosphate rock & fertilizer
citrus products
medical devices
seafood
beer & beverages
recycled materials
What Jacksonville Receives
Jacksonville's logistics & distribution, automotive import processing, financial services sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Tampa.
automobiles (import)
consumer goods
construction materials
containerized cargo
military supplies
food products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Tampa and Jacksonville, 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.
$479-$591 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.
$591-$747 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.
$636-$814 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.
$323-$590 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Tampa to Jacksonville lane (223 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $479-$591 | 4 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $323-$590 | 6-8 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $725-$1,004 | 3 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Tampa and Jacksonville that drive volume on this lane.
Mosaic Company (HQ)
Amazon (3 facilities)
Jabil Inc. (HQ)
CSX Transportation (HQ)
Southeast Toyota Distributors
Johnson & Johnson Vision
Shipping Tips for Tampa to Jacksonville
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.
Jacksonville Seasonal Advisory
Vehicle import volume peaks in spring (new model year distribution) and fall. Hurricane season can temporarily disrupt port operations. Snowbird migration (October-November) drives a surge in household goods shipments headed to Central and South Florida.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 223 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 Tampa and Jacksonville — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
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.”
Destination
Jacksonville, FL
- Metro Population
- 1.6M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95, I-10, I-295
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Jacksonville Intermodal (JAXPORT area); NS Jacksonville Terminal
- Port Access
- JAXPORT (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Westside/I-10 Corridor, Northside/JAXPORT area, Imeson Industrial Park
“Jacksonville is the re-positioning capital of Florida freight. Carriers dropping loads in Miami or Tampa routinely deadhead to Jax to grab northbound I-95 loads rather than searching for scarce outbound freight in South Florida.”
Return Loads from Jacksonville
Jacksonville is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Tampa typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Jacksonville
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
Tampa to Jacksonville Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Tampa to Jacksonville?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Tampa, FL to Jacksonville, FL currently range $479-$591 (roughly $2.16-$2.66 per mile over 223 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $323-$590 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 Tampa to Jacksonville?
Standard FTL transit from Tampa to Jacksonville is approximately 4 hrs by truck over 223 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 Tampa to Jacksonville freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Tampa commonly ships phosphate rock & fertilizer, citrus products, medical devices, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Jacksonville commonly receives automobiles (import), consumer goods, construction materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Jacksonville to Tampa?
Excellent backhaul (scored 92/100 based on Jacksonville's outbound commodity mix). Jacksonville is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Tampa typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate. Jacksonville's top outbound commodities — imported vehicles, paper & pulp products, containerized goods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Tampa to Jacksonville?
The Tampa-to-Jacksonville corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Tampa's top outbound commodities include phosphate rock & fertilizer, citrus products, medical devices, seafood, beer & beverages, recycled materials. Jacksonville's primary inbound freight includes automobiles (import), consumer goods, construction materials, containerized cargo, military supplies, food products. Industries driving this lane include healthcare and financial services from Tampa and logistics & distribution and automotive import processing in Jacksonville.
When are rates highest on the Tampa to Jacksonville lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to healthcare and financial services 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 Tampa to Jacksonville be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 223 miles (4 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Tampa-to-Jacksonville 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 3 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Tampa to Jacksonville
We maintain working relationships with 151+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Tampa–Jacksonville 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