Port Drayage Fees Explained: What You’ll Actually Pay

How much does port drayage cost per container?

Port drayage typically costs $395-$1,295 per container in 2026, depending on port and inland distance. Local drayage at smaller ports like Charleston and Savannah runs $395-$595. Major gateways including Port Newark, Houston, and Long Beach run $495-$795 for local moves. Regional drayage to inland markets 100-300 miles from the port lands at $595-$1,295. Fuel surcharge and accessorials (chassis, pre-pull, detention) are quoted separately. BlackBridge Logistics quotes drayage at every major U.S. port — request a quote.

What fees are included in a port drayage quote?

A port drayage quote includes line haul (the trucking move itself), fuel surcharge, and chassis rental — plus accessorials that may apply: pre-pull, drop-and-hook, live-unload wait time, detention, demurrage pass-through, per diem, chassis split, and bonded handling if applicable. Reputable freight brokers like BlackBridge Logistics break out each line item up front so importers can budget accurately. Hidden chassis fees and back-billed accessorials are the most common drayage-cost surprises — always require an itemized quote before booking. Contact BBL for a transparent quote.

Container drayage rates: why do they vary so much between ports?

Drayage rates vary because each U.S. port has a different chassis pool structure, terminal layout, average turn time, and labor cost. Long Beach and Port Newark see higher rates due to chassis scarcity, longer terminal queues, and union labor. Charleston, Savannah, and Houston run lower per-container costs because of better chassis availability and shorter average turn times. Inland distance, container size (20’/40’/45′), bonded status, and tri-axle requirements also shift the price. BlackBridge Logistics quotes every major U.S. port — request transparent port-specific pricing.

Houston is where our own drayage bench runs deepest — Barbours Cut and Bayport, plus bonded cross-border moves down to Laredo. See our Houston drayage rates broken down by lane.

Port Drayage Fees Explained: What You’ll Actually Pay

Drayage looks simple on the surface — a truck picks up your container at the port and drives it to your warehouse. But the invoice tells a different story. Between the line haul, fuel surcharge, chassis fee, port congestion surcharge, and half a dozen other potential charges, a $500 dray can quickly become a $1,200 headache.

Here’s every fee you might see on a drayage invoice, what it means, and what you should expect to pay in 2026.

2026 port drayage fee ranges

Use these ranges to sanity-check a drayage quote before accessorials are added. Final pricing depends on port, terminal appointment, chassis pool, container size, weight, and how much free time remains before demurrage or per diem starts.

Move type	Typical range	Watch item
Local port drayage, 0-25 miles	$300-$600	Chassis, terminal wait, fuel surcharge
Metro drayage, 25-50 miles	$500-$900	Tolls, live-unload detention, pre-pull
Regional drayage, 50-100 miles	$800-$1,400	Driver hours, overweight, drop charges
Bonded / in-bond drayage	Standard drayage + bonded handling	CBP 7512 timing, seal control, bonded warehouse appointment

Need a real number? Send the port, container size, last free day, delivery ZIP, weight, and bonded status. BlackBridge will price the line haul, chassis, fuel, pre-pull, and detention exposure up front. Request a drayage quote.

The Core Drayage Charges

Line Haul Rate

This is the base cost to move your container from the port to your delivery location. It’s quoted as a flat rate per container based on distance. Most drayage is local — within 50 miles of the port — so rates typically range from:

• 0-25 miles from port: $300-$600
• 25-50 miles: $500-$900
• 50-100 miles: $800-$1,400
• 100+ miles: Priced per mile (usually $3.50-$6.00/mile) or transitions to an intermodal/OTR solution

Rates vary significantly by port. Drayage from Port Newark is generally more expensive than drayage from the Port of Savannah because of higher operating costs, tolls, and congestion in the New York metro area.

Fuel Surcharge (FSC)

Added on top of the line haul rate to account for diesel costs. In 2026, fuel surcharges typically add 35-55% to the line haul rate. On a $500 base dray, that’s $175-$275 in fuel surcharge alone.

Most drayage carriers calculate FSC based on the DOE’s weekly national diesel average. Some use a flat per-trip fuel charge instead. Always ask whether the quoted rate includes fuel or not — “all-in” quotes are easier to compare.

Chassis Fee

The chassis is the wheeled frame that the container sits on while being towed by a truck. Most drayage drivers don’t own chassis — they rent them from chassis pools at the port terminal.

• Daily chassis rental: $35-$75 per day
• Pool chassis (DCLI, TRAC): $30-$50/day plus usage fees
• Split chassis fee: Some carriers charge a flat fee per use rather than daily

Here’s the catch: you’re paying for every day the chassis is out, including the time the container sits at your warehouse waiting to be unloaded. A “drop and pick” delivery where the container stays at your facility for 3 days means 3 days of chassis rental. That’s an extra $100-$225 that many shippers don’t account for.

Port and Terminal Fees

Port Congestion Surcharge

When a port is backed up — vessel delays, labor shortages, yard congestion — terminals and carriers add congestion surcharges. These range from $50-$300 per container and can change weekly based on conditions.

In 2026, the busiest East Coast ports (Newark, Savannah) have seen periodic congestion surcharges of $100-$200. West Coast ports (LA/Long Beach) have been more stable but still impose surcharges during peak import seasons.

Terminal Handling Charge

Some terminals charge a per-container fee for handling — the cost of moving your container within the yard, loading it onto the chassis, and processing the gate transaction. This runs $50-$150 per container.

Pier Pass / Off-Peak Fee

At the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the PierPass program charges a Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) for daytime gate transactions. In 2026, this fee is approximately $35-$40 per TEU ($70-$80 for a 40-foot container). Moving your container during off-peak hours (nights and weekends) avoids this fee but may involve different scheduling challenges.

Time-Based Penalties

Demurrage

Demurrage is charged by the terminal when your container sits in the port yard past the allotted free days. Free time is typically 4-7 days from when the container is discharged from the vessel (varies by shipping line and terminal).

After free time expires:

• Days 1-4 over: $150-$200/day
• Days 5-7 over: $200-$300/day
• Days 8+: $300-$500/day

Demurrage adds up terrifyingly fast. A container sitting 5 days past its free time can cost $750-$1,500 in demurrage alone — more than the drayage itself.

Per Diem

Per diem is charged by the shipping line for keeping their container and/or chassis past the allowed free time. This is separate from demurrage — you can owe both simultaneously.

• Container per diem: $100-$200/day
• Chassis per diem: $35-$75/day (if using the shipping line’s chassis)

The free time for per diem starts when the container leaves the port, and you typically get 4-5 days to return the empty. If your warehouse takes 3 days to unload and it takes a day to return the empty, you’re cutting it close.

Detention (Driver Wait Time)

If the drayage driver has to wait at your warehouse beyond the free time (usually 1-2 hours), you’ll be charged detention:

• Rate: $50-$100 per hour after free time
• At the port: Some carriers also charge for excessive wait times at the terminal (typically if it exceeds 2-3 hours due to port congestion)

A 40-foot container that needs to be hand-unloaded can take 3-4 hours. At $75/hour with 2 hours free time, that’s $75-$150 in detention. Consider whether a “drop and pick” makes more financial sense for your situation.

Drayage accessorial charges: the special-situation fees

Overweight Container

Legal road weight limit for a loaded container on chassis is 44,000 lbs (gross container weight). If your container exceeds this, the drayage carrier may charge an overweight surcharge of $200-$500, or they may need to “transload” — unload some freight into a second truck at the port — which costs $500-$1,500.

Hazmat Surcharge

Containers with hazardous materials require special handling, placarding, and driver certification. Expect a $150-$400 surcharge.

Reefer Container Surcharge

Refrigerated containers require a genset (generator) to maintain temperature during transport. Genset rental and fuel adds $150-$350 to the drayage cost.

Tri-Axle Chassis

Heavy containers may require a tri-axle chassis to distribute weight legally. If one is available, expect a $50-$150 surcharge. If one isn’t available, you’re back to transloading.

Toll Charges

In the Northeast especially, tolls are a significant add-on. A drayage run from Port Newark to a warehouse in northern New Jersey might incur $15-$50 in tolls. Routes crossing bridges into New York can cost $50-$100+ in commercial vehicle tolls.

A Real-World Example

Let’s say you’re importing a 40-foot container through Port Newark to a warehouse 20 miles away. Here’s a realistic all-in cost breakdown:

• Line haul: $450
• Fuel surcharge (48%): $216
• Chassis fee (2 days): $90
• Tolls: $30
• Total (routine): $786

Now let’s say the container sits at the port 3 days past free time, and the driver waits 3 hours at your warehouse:

• All of the above: $786
• Demurrage (3 days x $175): $525
• Per diem (2 days x $125): $250
• Detention (1 hour x $75): $75
• Total (with delays): $1,636

That’s more than double. The lesson: delays are where drayage gets expensive. The actual trucking is the easy part.

For a detailed look at how drayage fits into the bigger import picture, read our guide to what drayage is and how it works.

How to Keep Drayage Costs Down

• Track your vessel and know when your container will be available
• Have drayage pre-booked so pickup happens within free days
• Get your warehouse dock scheduled before the container arrives
• Consider drop-and-pick vs. live unload based on your unloading speed
• Ask for all-in quotes so you can compare costs accurately

Need a drayage quote? BlackBridge Logistics provides transparent, all-in pricing for container drayage from every major East Coast port. Get a quote or call (516) 252-3395.

Frequently Asked Questions About Port Drayage Fees

How much does port drayage cost in 2026?

Drayage line haul typically runs $300-$600 for moves within 25 miles of the port, $500-$900 for 25-50 miles, and $800-$1,400 for 50-100 miles. Once you add fuel surcharges (35-55%), chassis fees ($30-$75/day), tolls, and any port congestion charges, a $500 base dray often lands at $700-$1,200 all-in.

What is a chassis fee and why am I being charged for it?

A chassis is the wheeled frame the container rides on. Most drayage drivers don’t own chassis — they rent from pools at the terminal. Daily chassis rental runs $35-$75 per day, and you pay for every day the chassis is out, including time the container sits at your warehouse waiting to be unloaded.

What is the difference between demurrage and per diem?

Demurrage is charged by the terminal when your container sits in the port yard past the free days (typically 4-7 days). Per diem is charged by the shipping line for keeping their container or chassis past the allowed free time after it leaves the port. They are separate charges and you can owe both at the same time.

How much is demurrage at U.S. ports?

Demurrage is tiered. Days 1-4 over typically run $150-$200 per day, days 5-7 run $200-$300 per day, and day 8 and beyond can hit $300-$500 per day. A container sitting 5 days past free time can cost $750-$1,500 in demurrage alone — often more than the drayage itself.

What is detention on a drayage move?

Detention is what the carrier charges when the driver waits at your warehouse beyond the free time, usually 1-2 hours. Rates run $50-$100 per hour after free time. A container that needs hand-unloading can take 3-4 hours, which means $75-$150 in detention on top of the base dray.

What is a port congestion surcharge?

When a port is backed up due to vessel delays, labor shortages, or yard congestion, terminals and carriers add congestion surcharges. These typically range from $50-$300 per container and can change weekly. In 2026, busy East Coast ports like Newark and Savannah have seen periodic surcharges of $100-$200.

What does an all-in drayage quote include?

An all-in quote bundles line haul, fuel surcharge, chassis fee, and known tolls into a single number so you can compare providers fairly. It does not always include time-based penalties like demurrage, per diem, or detention — those depend on how long the container or driver waits, which is on the shipper.

How can I lower my port drayage costs?

Five biggest levers: track your vessel so you know when the container is available, pre-book drayage so pickup happens within free days, schedule your warehouse dock before the container arrives, decide drop-and-pick vs live unload based on your unloading speed, and always ask for all-in quotes so accessorials don’t surprise you.

For a deeper look at how holds compound at one of the most expensive port complexes, see our Long Beach customs holds guide.