Drayage rates out of Savannah hit $850 for a 35-mile haul last week. Last month, I watched drayage rates out of Long Beach jump from $450 to $700 for a 50-mile run in three weeks because everyone was trying to beat the next port rush. That's up 25% since July. We knew this hot summer for import containers would catch up with us. Frontloading by big box retailers trying to beat rising ocean freight has jammed every major port. Carriers are not making it easy.
What's Driving These Port Rates Sky-High?
Frontloading is the simple answer. Shippers are pushing cargo ahead, trying to get it here before peak season surcharges bite harder. This artificial surge of import volume means every available drayage driver is tied up, often stuck waiting for hours at congested terminals. The spot market reflects this immediate demand; expect to pay $2.80 to $3.20 a mile in major port zones right now for dry van drayage. That rate was $2.10 in May, barely three months ago. The cheapest quote is always the most dangerous. I have seen it cost brokers their entire margin on a lane they thought they owned. You get what you pay for in this business, especially when capacity is tight. Carriers know their value when demand outstrips supply by a significant margin.
The Drayage Driver Crisis is Real
Drayage drivers are scarce. They just are. Many left during the slower periods, others retired, and recruitment simply isn't keeping pace with this unexpected surge in demand. Carriers are hoarding their best drivers for their direct customers and high-volume lanes. Many drayage outfits are limiting outsourcing because they can't afford to pay another carrier $550 for a job they quoted you at $500; they'd rather say no. Expect $65 to $90 per hour for detention on most dry van carriers right now, usually after two hours. Demurrage charges from the ocean lines hit $125 per container per day after the free period, often just two or three days. These mounting costs will kill your margin if you don't plan for the delays inherent in port operations.
Building Bulletproof Carrier Relationships
You need preferred drayage partners more than ever. Treating your core drayage carriers like gold isn't optional; it’s survival. Pay them on time, every time, within 15 days. Offering quick pay, like 7-day payment terms, will get their attention faster than a $100 rate increase sometimes, especially for smaller operators. They appreciate the consistency. Provide accurate, complete information up front – exact gate hours, specific container numbers, precise pickup and delivery instructions, weight. A clear communication line with their dispatch helps immensely. This keeps their drivers moving, minimizing their unpaid wait times, which is exactly what they want. Send them clear, professional rate confirmations, avoid last-minute changes.
Smart Moves for Your Drayage Operations
Pre-pulls are your secret weapon against port congestion and fees. If you know a container will sit at the port for a few days before final delivery, get it pre-pulled to a secured yard nearby. This costs $150 to $250 usually, but it buys you precious time and avoids those $125 daily demurrage fees. Get all port appointments booked early, and confirm them. Missing an appointment can mean a $75 to $150 no-show fee from the port itself, plus another trip charge for the carrier when they have to re-dispatch. Verify EIRs and empty returns immediately after delivery. Confirm empty return locations before the truck ever leaves the consignee, as these can change without warning. Double check chassis availability with your carrier, too; it's a constant headache at certain ports.
The Cost of Underestimating Port Challenges
Ignoring these drayage realities is a fast path to failure. I've watched brokers lose major accounts because they couldn't consistently cover drayage at a reasonable rate or service level. One broker promised a rate out of Oakland that was $300 under market last month for a major retail import. They ended up paying $550 over their original quote after three failed tenders and accumulating $375 in container demurrage fees. Their margin on that lane was completely gone, wiped out in a single week. You can't recover from those kinds of hits and keep your customers happy. Bad drayage service will cost you customers faster than anything else right now.
Pre-book your drayage a minimum of 72 hours out and confirm all details within 24 hours of pickup to avoid 90% of current drayage failures and additional charges.