Savannah is one of the clearest “freight demand signal” cities on the East Coast because the Port of Savannah keeps moving high container volumes, and those boxes have to get delivered inland by truck. In fiscal year 2025, the Georgia Ports Authority reported the Port of Savannah handled 5.7 million TEUs, up 8.6% from the prior year and just shy of the port’s FY2022 high of 5.76 million TEUs.
For drivers, that kind of throughput usually shows up as more consistent regional freight options, more drop and hook opportunities tied to port and warehouse networks, and steadier lanes into Georgia, the Carolinas, Florida, Tennessee, and the Mid Atlantic.
The port volume trend that makes Savannah stand out
Port strength is easiest to see in the year-to-year container numbers.
Here are widely reported benchmarks from the Georgia Ports Authority and coverage of GPA releases:
| Period | Container volume (TEUs) | What does it signal for freight |
| Calendar year 2022 | 5.9 million | A very high baseline for container flow into the region. |
| Calendar year 2024 | nearly 5.6 million | 12.5% growth year over year, described as the fastest growing container port on the U.S. East and Gulf coasts. |
| Fiscal year 2025 | 5.7 million | Second busiest year on record, up 8.6% from FY2024. |
If you want an “in-season” indicator instead of waiting for annual totals, GPA also publishes monthly updates. For example, GPA reported 534,037 TEUs in August 2025, up 9% year over year, and shared fiscal year-to-date totals through August.
Why does port volume turn into steady work for drivers
Savannah’s advantage is not just that ships arrive. It’s that the freight can move out of the terminals quickly by road and rail, which supports predictable freight cycles for carriers and drivers.
1) A large container base feeds multiple types of truck freight
Container ports generate a mix of moves that can fit different driver goals, including local drayage, regional runs, and longer East Coast lanes. When the port is pushing millions of TEUs a year, the freight is not dependent on a single shipper or one industry category.
2) Rail growth reduces congestion risk and increases inland options
Intermodal capacity can support longer inland moves and more consistent freight distribution patterns. GPA has highlighted record rail volumes at the Mason Mega Rail Terminal, including 540,850 containers moved by rail in 2024, up 5.7% from 2023.
For drivers, strong rail does not remove trucking demand. It often reshapes it into more predictable warehouse-to-customer freight and shorter port-related turns that keep freight flowing.
3) The I-16 and I-95 network makes warehouse growth logical
Savannah sits next to the corridors that distribution networks like to build around. Georgia DOT materials describing the I-16 corridor note that it is a key freight link from the Port of Savannah to the interstate system, with many existing and proposed warehouses and distribution developments along I-16 between SR 67 and I-95.
That matters because warehouses create repeat freight: inbound container transfers, outbound store replenishment, and returns.
What this means for drivers looking for “reliable freight.”
Savannah tends to support reliability in three practical ways.
First, it supports more scheduled freight. Port freight and distribution freight often run on appointment windows, gate hours, and planned inbound inventory cycles.
Second, it supports more repeat lanes. Carriers can build consistent networks when import volume stays high over multiple years. FY2025, being the second busiest year on record, is one of those “network confidence” signals.
Third, it supports multiple job formats. Some drivers prefer daily home time, drayage, or local warehouse work. Others want regional lanes that keep them moving but still bring them back regularly.
How to use Savannah’s freight strength to find the right job fit
Step 1: Decide which “Savannah lane type” matches your home time goal
Local and port area work often centers around yard moves, live load and unload, and drayage-style turns. Regional work often runs into Atlanta, Charlotte, Jacksonville, and other Southeastern hubs.
Pick the home time pattern first, then filter companies by the lanes they actually run.
Step 2: Ask the questions that reveal whether freight is truly steady
When you talk to a recruiter or terminal manager, ask short, specific questions like these.
How many loads a week does this account or lane typically run from the Savannah area?
What percent of loads are drop and hook versus live load?
How often do drivers sit waiting on a container or chassis?
What time windows are most common for pickups?
These questions are practical because port freight can be strong while still having pinch points, and you want the version of the job that matches your style.
Step 3: Look for signs the carrier is built around port freight, not just dabbling
Consistency usually improves when a carrier has an established terminal presence, a repeat customer base, and clear operational routines tied to the port and the warehouse network.
Frequently asked questions about driving in the Savannah freight market
Is Savannah freight steady year-round?
Savannah has posted multi-year strength in container volumes, including nearly 5.6 million TEUs in 2024 and 5.7 million TEUs in FY2025, which supports steady freight demand relative to many smaller markets.
Does rail growth reduce truck work?
Rail growth usually changes where truck work happens more than whether it exists. GPA reported record rail moves at Mason Mega Rail in 2024, which supports more inland distribution patterns that still rely on trucks for final delivery.
What is the simplest “data point” to watch if I am considering a move?
Watch the Georgia Ports Authority monthly container updates and annual or fiscal year totals. They provide an early look at whether volumes are rising, steady, or cooling.
Why do carriers like Savannah compare with some other East Coast markets?
Savannah combines high container throughput with interstate access and a growing warehouse corridor, which supports repeat freight and scalable operations.
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