Charleston Drayage: Port Pickup for Carolinas & Southeast
Charleston has quietly become the second-largest container port in the Southeast — behind only Savannah — and a serious alternative for shippers looking to diversify off the Virginia and NY/NJ complex. Drayage out of Charleston is efficient, highway access is excellent, and rates are competitive against Savannah on inland moves.
Terminals we cover at Charleston
- Wando Welch Terminal — the main container terminal at Mount Pleasant, handles most Asia and European services
- North Charleston Terminal — secondary container facility, handles specific carrier services
- Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal — newer facility, growing carrier base
- Inland Port Greer (SC) — intermodal rail connection for upstate SC, NC, TN freight
Charleston drayage rates
| Move type | Typical rate range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Port to Charleston metro (under 50 mi) | $400 – $600 | North Charleston, Summerville, Goose Creek warehouses |
| Port to Charlotte / Greenville | $700 – $1,000 | Big growth lane — SE manufacturing corridor |
| Port to Atlanta metro | $900 – $1,300 | Next day |
| Port to Inland Port Greer (via rail) | $350 – $550 | Rail alternative for upstate SC/NC |
| Port to Jacksonville / Tampa | $900 – $1,350 | Same/next day |
| Overweight (tri-axle, permitted) | +$150 – $300 | SC permits, +1 day lead |
Why importers are using Charleston
- Automotive manufacturing density. BMW (Spartanburg), Mercedes, Volvo, Boeing, and tier-1 suppliers cluster in SC. Charleston is their preferred container port.
- Deep harbor. Charleston handles post-Panamax vessels that not every East Coast port can accommodate.
- Inland Port Greer extends Charleston’s reach into upstate SC and western NC via direct rail without re-drayage — we coordinate intermodal drayage to inland markets via Norfolk Southern from the Charleston ramp.
- Lower congestion than Newark or even Savannah on most days.
- Proximity to SE population growth. Charlotte, Raleigh, Charleston metros are all growing — Charleston sits central to the Carolinas.
What’s different about Charleston drayage
Automotive parts volume
A significant share of Charleston imports are auto parts destined for SC assembly plants. Tight JIT schedules mean drayage precision matters — miss a pickup window and production slows. We work with carriers who run these lanes daily.
Chassis + clean truck
Charleston uses the Palmetto Chassis Pool. Generally available, but SC enforces newer-truck rules for port access, restricting the carrier pool. All trucks are relatively modern.
The demurrage clock
Charleston gives 4-5 free days at Wando, after which per-diem demurrage starts at $100-175/day per container. Chassis per-diem also accrues.
Who we serve at Charleston
- Automotive importers and tier-1 suppliers
- Retail importers serving Carolinas + Atlanta DCs
- E-commerce sellers with SE fulfillment
- Freight forwarders routing through Charleston for inland rail to upstate SC
- Aerospace suppliers (Boeing Charleston supplier network)
How to book Charleston drayage with us
- Send container number, vessel ETA, and terminal (Wando / North Charleston / Leatherman)
- Provide delivery address, live or drop
- Flag overweight, reefer, hazmat, or JIT automotive
- Quote within 30 minutes during business hours
- We coordinate with the terminal, chassis pool, and your customs broker
Get a Charleston drayage quote
Call (516) 252-3395 or submit a drayage quote request. 24/7 for urgent pulls.
Related
- Container Drayage Service
- Savannah Drayage
- Houston Drayage
- Baltimore Drayage
- Port Newark 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.
