Drayage at Every Major US Port: Rates, Tips, and What to Expect

February 18, 2026 7 min read

Drayage at Every Major US Port: Rates, Tips, and What to Expect

Drayage rates, wait times, and logistics challenges vary dramatically depending on which port your container comes through. What works smoothly at the Port of Savannah might be a nightmare at Port Newark, and a chassis that’s readily available in Houston might be impossible to find in Los Angeles.

This port-by-port guide covers the top 10 U.S. container ports — what you’ll pay for drayage, what to watch out for, and how to avoid the most common problems at each one.

Port Newark / Port Elizabeth (New York/New Jersey)

The busiest port on the East Coast and the gateway for Northeast imports. Port Newark-Elizabeth Marine Terminal handles over 9 million TEUs annually.

Typical drayage rate (within 30 miles): $400-$700
Key challenges: Severe traffic congestion, high toll costs (George Washington Bridge, NJ Turnpike), limited chassis availability, long turn times at peak hours
Chassis: Pool chassis (DCLI, TRAC) are the standard. Chassis shortages are common during peak season.
Tips: Schedule pickups for early morning (gate opens at 6 AM) to beat traffic. Avoid Friday afternoon pickups. Budget $30-$80 for tolls depending on your delivery route. Allow extra time — port turn times average 60-90 minutes but can spike to 3+ hours.
Free days: Typically 4-5 from most shipping lines

Los Angeles / Long Beach

The largest port complex in the Western Hemisphere, handling roughly 20 million TEUs combined. The twin ports of LA and Long Beach are the primary gateway for Asian imports.

Typical drayage rate (within 30 miles): $300-$550
Key challenges: PierPass fees for daytime transactions, chronic congestion during import surges, chassis shortages, Clean Truck Program requirements (only newer, low-emission trucks allowed)
PierPass TMF: ~$35-$40 per TEU for daytime gate moves. Move containers during off-peak (nights/weekends) to avoid this.
Tips: Off-peak moves save money but limit scheduling flexibility. The Clean Truck Program means not every drayage carrier can access the port — verify before booking. Dual transactions (picking up one container while returning an empty) save trips and money.
Free days: 4-7 days depending on the shipping line

Port of Savannah (Georgia)

The fastest-growing major port in the U.S. and increasingly a preferred alternative to congested Northeast ports. Garden City Terminal is the largest single-terminal container facility in North America.

Typical drayage rate (within 30 miles): $300-$500
Key challenges: Growth-related congestion (especially during peak season), limited local warehouse availability, distance from major population centers
Strengths: Generally efficient operations, lower costs than Northeast ports, good rail connections for inland distribution
Tips: Savannah is great if your distribution center is in the Southeast, but drayage to the warehouse is just the first leg — if your goods need to reach the Northeast, factor in the additional over-the-road or rail cost. Book drayage early during peak season (Aug-Nov).
Free days: 4-5 days, usually generous by East Coast standards

Port of Houston (Texas)

The largest port in the Gulf Coast region and a major hub for petrochemical, agricultural, and consumer goods imports.

Full detail on Barbours Cut, Bayport and bonded cross-border runs is in our Houston drayage rates.

Typical drayage rate (within 30 miles): $300-$500
Key challenges: Extreme heat (impacts driver wait times and working conditions), hurricane season disruptions (June-November), some terminal congestion during harvest/export season
Strengths: Lower labor and operating costs than coastal ports, good inland connections, growing container volumes
Tips: Hurricane season can shut down the port for days — plan buffer time during June-November. Terminal operations are generally efficient compared to LA or Newark. Drayage rates are among the lowest of any major port.
Free days: 4-5 days

Port of Norfolk (Virginia)

Virginia International Terminals (VIT) is a deep-water port that can handle the largest vessels afloat. Strategic mid-Atlantic location with good rail connections.

Typical drayage rate (within 30 miles): $300-$500
Key challenges: Military base traffic (Norfolk Naval Station area), bridge and tunnel congestion, limited local drayage carrier pool
Strengths: 50-foot-deep channels (no depth restrictions), efficient terminal operations, strong intermodal rail connections to the Midwest and Southeast
Tips: If your freight is heading inland, Norfolk’s rail connections can be faster and cheaper than trucking from a closer port. The local drayage market is smaller than Newark or Savannah, so book carriers early.
Free days: 4-5 days

Port of Charleston (South Carolina)

A mid-size port with a reputation for efficiency and good service. Recent terminal investments have significantly increased capacity.

Typical drayage rate (within 30 miles): $300-$450
Key challenges: Smaller carrier pool than larger ports, limited warehouse space in the immediate port area
Strengths: Consistently ranked among the most efficient ports in the country. Fast turn times. Growing capacity with the new Hugh Leatherman Terminal.
Tips: Charleston is an excellent choice for Southeast distribution. Turn times are typically under 60 minutes — a luxury compared to Newark or LA. BMW, Mercedes, and other manufacturers use Charleston heavily, so the trucking infrastructure is solid.
Free days: 4-5 days

Port of Oakland (California)

Northern California’s primary container port, serving the San Francisco Bay Area, Central Valley, and providing rail connections to the interior West.

Typical drayage rate (within 30 miles): $300-$550
Key challenges: Bay Area traffic congestion, California Clean Truck requirements, bridge tolls (Bay Bridge: $7 for commercial vehicles), limited staging areas near the port
Strengths: Less congested than LA/Long Beach, competitive rates, good option for Northern California and Pacific Northwest distribution
Tips: If your warehouse is in the Central Valley (Stockton, Tracy, Modesto), Oakland drayage is more direct than LA. Clean Truck rules apply — confirm your carrier is compliant. Schedule around Bay Bridge rush hours.
Free days: 4-5 days

Seattle / Tacoma (Washington)

The Northwest Seaport Alliance operates both ports, primarily serving the Pacific Northwest and providing a northern gateway for Asian imports.

Typical drayage rate (within 30 miles): $300-$500
Key challenges: Rain and winter weather impacts, smaller carrier pool, longer distance from major population centers south of Portland
Strengths: Shorter ocean transit from Asia than California ports (1-2 days faster), less congestion than LA/Long Beach, competitive rates
Tips: Seattle/Tacoma is ideal if you’re distributing in the Pacific Northwest. The shorter transit from Asia saves time and sometimes money on ocean freight. Local drayage is straightforward — the port is well-managed and turn times are reasonable.
Free days: 4-5 days

Port of Baltimore (Maryland)

A major port for roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) cargo, heavy equipment, and growing container operations. The port has invested heavily in recovery and expansion.

Typical drayage rate (within 30 miles): $300-$500
Key challenges: Infrastructure constraints around the port area, limited terminal hours compared to larger ports
Strengths: Strategic mid-Atlantic location, less congested than Newark, strong connections to DC/Baltimore metro area, efficient for imports destined for Maryland/Virginia/DC
Tips: If your warehouse is in Maryland or the greater DC area, Baltimore drayage is significantly cheaper and faster than draying from Newark through the NJ/PA/MD corridor. The port is investing in expansion — expect improving infrastructure.
Free days: 4-5 days

Port of Miami / Port Everglades (Florida)

South Florida’s twin ports primarily serve Caribbean and Latin American trade routes, with growing Asian import volumes.

Typical drayage rate (within 30 miles): $300-$500
Key challenges: Hurricane season exposure (June-November), traffic congestion in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale metro area, limited space for container staging
Strengths: Closest U.S. ports to Latin America and the Caribbean, specialized in perishables and temperature-controlled cargo, cruise ship tourism drives port investment
Tips: If you’re importing from Central or South America, Miami/Port Everglades is your most direct option. Budget for hurricane-season contingencies. Reefer container handling is a particular strength of these ports.
Free days: 3-5 days

General Drayage Tips That Apply Everywhere

Book early: Arrange drayage before the vessel arrives, not after
Know your last free day: This is the most expensive deadline to miss
Get all-in quotes: Line haul + fuel + chassis + tolls = your real cost
Have your warehouse ready: A dock appointment should be confirmed before the container is picked up
Return empties promptly: Per diem charges start fast and add up faster

For a deeper dive into how drayage works, read our guide to what drayage is or our breakdown of drayage fees explained.

Get Drayage From Any East Coast Port

BlackBridge Logistics arranges container drayage from Newark, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah, Baltimore, and every major East Coast port. We know the terminals, we know the carriers, and we know how to get your container out on time.

Request a drayage quote or call (516) 252-3395.

For a deeper Long Beach-specific guide focused on customs holds and the cost stack, see our Long Beach drayage customs holds guide.