Freight Shipping from Wilmington to Savannah
Ship freight from Wilmington, DE to Savannah, GA 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
Wilmington to Savannah Freight Corridor
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 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 Wilmington-to-Savannah corridor spans 797 miles via I-95. This lane connects pharmaceuticals and chemical manufacturing freight from the Wilmington 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 Wilmington
Wilmington's economy is driven by pharmaceuticals, chemical manufacturing, financial services, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
pharmaceuticals
specialty chemicals
financial documents
poultry (Delmarva)
nylon & polymers
automotive coatings
What Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Wilmington.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Wilmington 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.
$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
Flatbed
Best for steel, lumber, machinery, building materials, and oversized loads that cannot be palletized or loaded through standard dock doors.
$2,271-$2,909 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
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Wilmington to Savannah 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 Wilmington and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
AstraZeneca
DuPont (now Corteva/IFF)
Chemours
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Wilmington to Savannah
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.
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.
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.
Wilmington to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Wilmington to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Wilmington, DE to Savannah, GA 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 Wilmington to Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Wilmington to Savannah 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 Wilmington to Savannah freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Wilmington commonly ships pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, financial documents, 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 Wilmington?
Yes. Savannah is a strong outbound market shipping containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay. Carriers returning from Savannah to Wilmington can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Wilmington-to-Savannah lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Wilmington to Savannah?
The Wilmington-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Wilmington's top outbound commodities include pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, financial documents, poultry (Delmarva), nylon & polymers, automotive coatings. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include pharmaceuticals and chemical manufacturing from Wilmington and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
Get Exact Rates for Wilmington to Savannah
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Wilmington to Savannah lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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