Freight Shipping from Tampa to Savannah
Ship freight from Tampa, FL to Savannah, GA 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
Consumer Goods Corridor
Tampa → Savannah Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
156–173
running this lane
Weekly Loads
88–101
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
87/100
Excellent
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 FL, GA. 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 Savannah 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.
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.
The Tampa-to-Savannah corridor spans 386 miles via I-75, I-4, I-16, I-95. This lane connects healthcare and financial services freight from the Tampa market to port operations and logistics & warehousing demand in Savannah. 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 Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Tampa.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Tampa and Savannah, 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 Tampa to Savannah 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 Tampa and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
Mosaic Company (HQ)
Amazon (3 facilities)
Jabil Inc. (HQ)
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Tampa to Savannah
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.
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.
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 Tampa and Savannah — 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
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.”
Return Loads from Savannah
Savannah 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 Savannah
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
Tampa to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Tampa to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Tampa, FL to Savannah, GA currently range $830-$1,023 (roughly $2.17-$2.66 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 Tampa to Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Tampa to Savannah 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 Tampa to Savannah 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. Savannah commonly receives containerized imports, automobiles, machinery. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Savannah to Tampa?
Excellent backhaul (scored 87/100 based on Savannah's outbound commodity mix). Savannah 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. Savannah's top outbound commodities — containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Tampa to Savannah?
The Tampa-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Tampa's top outbound commodities include phosphate rock & fertilizer, citrus products, medical devices, seafood, beer & beverages, recycled materials. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include healthcare and financial services from Tampa and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
When are rates highest on the Tampa to Savannah 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). 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 Savannah be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 386 miles (7 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Tampa-to-Savannah 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 Tampa to Savannah
We maintain working relationships with 156+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Tampa–Savannah 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