Miami & Port Everglades Drayage: South FL + Caribbean Routing
South Florida has two working container ports — PortMiami and Port Everglades — running 25 miles apart with very different specializations. Between them they handle most of the Caribbean and Latin American trade entering the US, plus a growing share of direct Asia-origin volume routed through the widened Panama Canal. For importers serving Florida, the Southeast, or the Caribbean, these two ports are where drayage happens.
Terminals we cover
PortMiami
- Port of Miami Terminal Operating Company (POMTOC) — major Caribbean and Latin American services
- South Florida Container Terminal (SFCT) — Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM
- Seaboard Marine Terminal — dedicated to Seaboard Caribbean services
Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale)
- Mid-Port Container Terminal (MPCT, Florida International Terminal) — major Mediterranean, Asian, Latin services
- Crowley Terminal — Caribbean and Central America
- Southport — breakbulk, project cargo, RO/RO
Miami / Port Everglades drayage rates
| Move type | Typical rate range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Port to Miami-Dade metro (under 30 mi) | $400 – $600 | Doral, Medley, Miami Gardens warehouses |
| Port to Broward/Fort Lauderdale | $400 – $600 | Close to Port Everglades |
| Port to Palm Beach / Treasure Coast | $600 – $900 | Same day |
| Port to Orlando metro | $900 – $1,300 | Next day |
| Port to Tampa / West Florida | $1,000 – $1,400 | Next day |
| Port to Jacksonville | $1,100 – $1,500 | Next day, alternate to routing through Jacksonville port |
| Port to Atlanta metro | $1,600 – $2,100 | Long haul, 2-day transit |
| Overweight (tri-axle, permitted) | +$150 – $300 | FL permits, +1 day lead |
Miami vs Port Everglades — which to use
- PortMiami: dominant for Caribbean and Latin America, cruise port overlap creates some congestion, closer to downtown and central Miami-Dade warehousing
- Port Everglades: more Mediterranean and Asia services, faster truck turn times on average, better access for Broward and Palm Beach warehouses, growing refrigerated volume (Florida produce, perishables)
- If you have choice between routing to Miami or Everglades, Port Everglades often has shorter wait times and is slightly cheaper drayage
What’s different about South FL drayage
Hurricane season
June–November, tropical systems can shut both ports. Usually 24-72 hours of closure, but bunching after reopening creates days of delay. Build buffer into scheduling during hurricane season, especially August-October peak.
Refrigerated volume
Both ports handle significant reefer freight — FL produce imports from Central/South America, pharma from Puerto Rico, and cold chain exports. Reefer drayage requires dedicated plug-in capacity at origin and destination; rates run $100-200 above dry van equivalent.
Caribbean routing
If your freight is coming from or going to Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, or the Caribbean islands, South FL is almost always the most efficient US port. Drayage to/from island carriers (Crowley, Seaboard) is routine work for us.
Chassis + demurrage
Both ports use Pool of Pools chassis (DCLI-managed). Free time typically 4 days before per-diem demurrage starts — $100-150/day per container at Miami, similar at Everglades.
Who we serve in South Florida
- Florida retailers with South FL warehouse footprint
- Caribbean/Latin America importers
- Produce and reefer importers
- Cruise supply chain (food, beverage, hotel supplies)
- Pharmaceutical importers routing through PR
- E-commerce brands serving FL, Caribbean, and Southeast customers
How to book South FL drayage with us
- Send container number, vessel ETA, and terminal — specify Miami or Everglades
- Provide delivery address, live or drop, appointment windows if applicable
- Flag reefer, overweight, hazmat, or Caribbean origin/destination
- Quote within 30 minutes during business hours
- We coordinate the terminal appointment, chassis, and customs release
Get a Miami / Port Everglades drayage quote
Call (516) 252-3395 or submit a drayage quote request. 24/7 for urgent pulls.
Related
- Container Drayage Service
- Savannah Drayage
- Charleston Drayage
- Baltimore Drayage
- Drayage at Every Major US Port
Get a quote in 30 minutes
Tell us about your container — we answer 24/7 for urgent port pulls and quote within 30 minutes during business hours.
