Freight Shipping from Tulsa to Savannah
Ship freight from Tulsa, OK to Savannah, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,507-$3,090, LTL from $841-$1,391. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,166 mi
Drive Time
21 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,507-$3,090
LTL Rate Est.
$841-$1,391
Fresh Food Lane
Tulsa → Savannah Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
137–159
running this lane
Weekly Loads
90–106
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
73/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$11–$18 one-way passing through OK, GA, TN, MO, AR, NC. 3 typical fuel stops 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.
Tulsa to Savannah Freight Corridor
Tulsa is the aerospace maintenance capital of the central U.S., with American Airlines operating its largest MRO facility here — capable of servicing widebody aircraft. The Port of Catoosa, America's most inland river port, connects Tulsa to the Gulf of Mexico via the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, enabling barge-to-truck transloading for heavy industrial freight. The city's legacy oil refining infrastructure creates steady tanker and hazmat volumes.
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 Tulsa-to-Savannah corridor spans 1,166 miles via I-44, US-75, I-16, I-95. This lane connects aerospace manufacturing and energy freight from the Tulsa 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 Tulsa
Tulsa's economy is driven by aerospace manufacturing, energy, steel fabrication, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
aircraft components
refined fuels
steel pipe & fittings
oil & gas equipment
processed foods
glass products
What Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Tulsa.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Tulsa 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.
$2,507-$3,090 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.
$3,323-$4,256 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,673-$4,956 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.
$841-$1,391 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Tulsa to Savannah lane (1,166 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,507-$3,090 | 21 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $841-$1,391 | 23-25 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,790-$5,247 | 14 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,574-$2,157 | 24-26 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Tulsa and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
American Airlines Maintenance Base
NORDAM Group
Holly Frontier Refining
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Tulsa to Savannah
Tulsa Seasonal Advisory
Aerospace MRO work peaks during winter when airlines pull aircraft from service for heavy maintenance checks. Refinery output is steady but turnaround seasons (spring and fall) temporarily reduce outbound tanker volumes while increasing inbound equipment 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.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,166 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 21 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
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 Tulsa and Savannah — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Tulsa, OK
- Metro Population
- 1.0M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-44, US-75, US-169
- Rail / Intermodal
- Tulsa Port of Catoosa (McClellan-Kerr Waterway)
- Port Access
- Port of Catoosa (McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, 7 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Broken Arrow/US-169 South, Catoosa/Port Industrial Park, Tulsa International Airport Area
“The Port of Catoosa handles oversized cargo that can't move efficiently by highway alone — wind turbine components, industrial boilers, and heavy machinery arrive by barge and transfer to specialized heavy-haul carriers for final-mile delivery across the region.”
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 generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Tulsa is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Savannah
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Tulsa to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Tulsa to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Tulsa, OK to Savannah, GA currently range $2,507-$3,090 (roughly $2.15-$2.65 per mile over 1,166 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $841-$1,391 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 Tulsa to Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Tulsa to Savannah is approximately 21 hrs by truck over 1,166 miles, with 3 typical fuel stops 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service via Tulsa Port of Catoosa (McClellan-Kerr Waterway) to NS Savannah Intermodal (Mason Mega Rail) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Tulsa to Savannah freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Tulsa commonly ships aircraft components, refined fuels, steel pipe & fittings, 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 Tulsa?
Strong backhaul (scored 73/100 based on Savannah's outbound commodity mix). Savannah generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Tulsa is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of 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 Tulsa to Savannah?
The Tulsa-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. Tulsa's top outbound commodities include aircraft components, refined fuels, steel pipe & fittings, oil & gas equipment, processed foods, glass products. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include aerospace manufacturing and energy from Tulsa and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
When are rates highest on the Tulsa to Savannah lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to aerospace manufacturing and energy 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.
Get Exact Rates for Tulsa to Savannah
We maintain working relationships with 137+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Tulsa–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