For shippers moving freight through the Southeast, few logistics line items generate more confusion—or frustration—than drayage rates and drayage fees. What looks like a simple port-to-warehouse move on paper can quickly expand into a maze of accessorial charges, time-based penalties, and port-specific variables.
As we head into 2026, understanding how drayage pricing works is no longer optional. Rising port volumes, tighter appointment windows, evolving chassis availability, and increased enforcement around detention and per diem mean that the cost of not understanding drayage can be significant.
At PortCity, drayage is a core service. We operate daily in and around the Port of Savannah, and we see firsthand where costs escalate—and how they can be controlled. This guide is designed to give shippers a clear, comprehensive, and actionable breakdown of drayage rates and fees, so you can budget accurately, negotiate confidently, and avoid unnecessary surprises.
What Are Drayage Rates?
At its most basic level, a drayage rate is the cost to move a container a short distance—typically from a port or rail ramp to a nearby warehouse, distribution center, or transload facility.
However, drayage is rarely “just a move.”
Drayage rates are influenced by:
- Port congestion and turn times
- Distance from the port
- Equipment availability (especially chassis)
- Container size and weight
- Appointment complexity
- Cargo type (hazardous, overweight, bonded, etc.)
In 2026, base drayage rates are only part of the equation. The real cost of drayage is determined by the accessorial fees layered on top of that base move.
Understanding Drayage Fees: The True Cost Drivers
To truly control container costs, shippers must understand the most common drayage fees—what triggers them, how they’re calculated, and how they can be avoided.
Below is a breakdown of the most impactful accessorial charges.
1. Per Diem Charges
Per diem is charged by the ocean carrier for the use of their container beyond the allotted free time.
Key factors:
- Free time varies by carrier and port
- Clocks start at container availability—not pickup
- Weekends and holidays may or may not count
Once free time expires, daily per diem charges accumulate quickly, often escalating after a set number of days.
Learn more about how these charges work here: /per-diem-charges/
Cost control tip: Align your drayage provider, warehouse, and consignee schedules before the container is discharged—not after.
2. Detention Fees
Detention applies when a container is held outside the terminal beyond free time before being returned empty.
Common causes:
- Warehouse congestion
- Missed unloading appointments
- Labor shortages
- Poor communication between parties
Unlike per diem, detention is often avoidable with proactive planning—but only if all parties are aligned.
3. Chassis Fees & Chassis Splits
In today’s environment, chassis availability remains one of the biggest drayage cost variables.
Common chassis-related charges include:
- Daily chassis rental
- Chassis split fees (when the container and chassis are picked up or returned to different locations)
- Chassis repositioning
Ports like Savannah operate under complex chassis pool models, and not all chassis are interchangeable.
Cost control tip: Work with a drayage provider that maintains private chassis pools and understands port-specific equipment rules.
4. Port Congestion & Wait Time
Congestion-driven charges often appear as:
- Port wait time
- Driver detention
- Failed or rolled appointments
While not always labeled as “congestion fees,” these costs are real—and growing.
At PortCity, we track turn times, appointment reliability, and gate efficiency to mitigate these charges for our clients.
5. Overweight Container Fees
Containers exceeding legal weight limits require:
- Specialized permits
- Route planning
- Additional equipment considerations
Overweight fees are not arbitrary—they reflect increased operational complexity and compliance requirements.
6. Hazardous (Hazmat) Drayage Fees
Hazardous cargo introduces additional:
- Documentation
- Handling procedures
- Driver certifications
- Routing restrictions
Ports like Savannah enforce strict hazmat protocols, and not all drayage providers are licensed to handle this freight.
7. Storage & Demurrage
When containers cannot move out of the terminal in time, demurrage charges apply. Once pulled, off-terminal storage fees may also apply if delivery is delayed.
These fees often compound with per diem and detention, creating a costly chain reaction.
Regional Rate Considerations
While drayage principles are consistent, rates and fees vary by port.
Port of Savannah
- High container volume
- Strong infrastructure investment
- Appointment-based system
- Variable congestion depending on vessel schedules
A rate that works in Savannah may not translate cleanly to another port. That’s why regional expertise matters.
Explore PortCity’s drayage capabilities here: Port Drayage Logistic Services
A Practical Drayage Cost Estimator: What to Budget For in 2026
While exact drayage rates vary by shipment, shippers should budget by considering the following components:
- Base Drayage Rate
- Distance from port
- Container size
- Distance from port
- Time-Based Charges
- Per diem
- Detention
- Per diem
- Equipment Fees
- Chassis rental
- Chassis splits
- Chassis rental
- Cargo-Specific Charges
- Hazmat
- Overweight
- Hazmat
- Operational Risk Factors
- Congestion
- Appointment reliability
- Congestion
Shippers who plan only for the base rate often underestimate true landed cost by 15–30%.
How PortCity Helps Control Drayage Rates and Fees
At PortCity, controlling drayage costs isn’t reactive—it’s built into our operating model.
We help clients reduce drayage spend through:
- Dedicated port drayage fleets
- Private chassis pools
- KPI-driven turn-time tracking
- Proactive appointment management
- Integrated warehousing and transload solutions
- Transparent rate structures with fewer surprise fees
Because we operate across transportation, warehousing, and distribution, we eliminate handoffs that often create delays—and fees.
Why a Definitive Drayage Strategy Matters in 2026
As ports continue to modernize and carriers tighten enforcement, drayage fees will only become more precise—and less forgiving.
Shippers that succeed in 2026 will be those who:
- Understand every line item on a drayage invoice
- Partner with providers who operate daily at their ports
- Plan container moves holistically—not transactionally
Drayage is no longer just a port service. It’s a critical cost-control lever within your supply chain.
Turning Drayage From a Cost Center Into a Competitive Advantage
Drayage rates and fees don’t have to feel unpredictable. With the right partner, the right data, and the right strategy, they become manageable—and even optimized.
At PortCity, our goal is simple: deliver peace of mind at the port, so your containers move efficiently, your costs stay controlled, and your supply chain keeps moving.