Port of Norfolk, VA Drayage + Inland FTL Lanes
The Port of Norfolk, Virginia is one of the most important East Coast gateways for containerized freight moving into the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Midwest. For shippers, success at Norfolk is not just about getting the container off the vessel. It is about clean handoffs from port pickup to inland delivery with reliable appointments, tight communication, and predictable transit.
This guide covers the most common Port of Norfolk drayage + inland FTL lanes in MigWay’s footprint and explains what impacts pricing, transit, and execution in 2026.
What “Drayage + Inland FTL” Means at Port of Norfolk
Port freight typically moves in two parts:
- Drayage: Short-haul container move from terminal to an inland drop yard, transload facility, or nearby warehouse.
- Inland FTL: Full truckload linehaul from the Norfolk area to the final destination (or from origin city into Norfolk for export).
When drayage and inland moves are coordinated as one operation, shippers reduce dwell time, avoid missed appointments, and keep containers from becoming detention and demurrage problems.
Most Common Drayage + Inland FTL Lanes Into Port of Norfolk
Below are four high-volume lanes moving freight into the Norfolk port market for export, repositioning, and container return cycles.
Charlotte, NC → Port of Norfolk, VA
- Typical use cases: Export loads, container repositioning, inbound freight staged for port moves
- Transit: Same day to 1 day depending on pickup time and appointment availability
- Execution focus: Appointment discipline, communication on cutoffs, fast turn at terminals
Raleigh, NC → Port of Norfolk, VA
- Typical use cases: Export freight, port returns, transload support
- Transit: Same day to 1 day
- Execution focus: Avoiding missed gate windows, staging early for vessel cutoffs
Columbus, OH → Port of Norfolk, VA
- Typical use cases: Midwest export freight, industrial goods, longer repositioning moves
- Transit: 1 to 2 days
- Execution focus: Driver scheduling, relay planning, avoiding weekend appointment gaps
Chicago, IL → Port of Norfolk, VA
- Typical use cases: High-volume Midwest export freight, retail and industrial supply chain moves
- Transit: 2 days (time-sensitive moves require tight planning)
- Execution focus: Cutoff planning, consistent ETAs, early appointment booking
2026 Rate Planning Benchmarks
Port moves are priced differently than standard point-to-point freight because terminal behavior and appointment constraints impact productivity. For inland full truckload portions, these are solid 2026 planning benchmarks to anchor expectations:
- Recent spot market range: $2.54–$2.83 per mile
- National average (contract + spot): about $3.09 per mile
- Contract rates: commonly $3.05–$3.19+ per mile
Important: Drayage pricing is heavily influenced by appointment availability, gate turn times, chassis access, and container return location. Because these variables can change day to day, the best pricing comes from quoting the full move with accurate shipment details and time windows.
Key Factors Influencing Port of Norfolk Drayage + Inland FTL Costs
Terminal Appointments and Gate Windows
Norfolk port operations depend on appointment scheduling. Limited windows and tight cutoffs can increase cost, especially for short-notice moves.
Detention and Demurrage Exposure
When containers sit too long at the terminal or at shipper/receiver facilities, fees stack fast. Clean scheduling and fast turnarounds protect the budget.
Chassis Availability and Return Requirements
Chassis constraints and specific return locations can add miles and time. This is a major cost variable on drayage moves.
Transload vs Live Container Delivery
Transloading (container to dry van) can improve inland flexibility. Live container delivery requires stricter appointment control and can reduce capacity options.
Urgency and Expedited Handling
Expedited port moves cost more. If the container must hit a cutoff or prevent a line-down, pricing increases due to dedicated equipment and priority dispatch.
How to Get an Accurate Quote
Port freight quotes get accurate when the details are tight. Here is what to have ready before requesting pricing:
- Origin city: Charlotte, Raleigh, Columbus, or Chicago
- Destination: Port of Norfolk terminal or specific facility
- Container details: 20/40/45 ft, overweight status if applicable
- Cargo type: General freight, industrial, retail, hazardous (if applicable)
- Weight and dimensions: Total weight and any special handling notes
- Time windows: Pickup date/time, delivery appointment, cutoff requirements
- Return instructions: Where the empty must be returned
You can also use MigWay’s platform to estimate and request pricing faster:
Why Asset-Based Execution Matters for Port Freight
Port freight punishes uncertainty. Asset-based execution keeps the move under control.
- Direct control of trucks and dispatch
- Faster response when appointments shift
- Cleaner visibility and ETAs
- Lower fraud and double-brokering risk
How MigWay Supports Port of Norfolk Drayage + Inland FTL
MigWay operates an asset-based fleet of 269 trucks and 450 trailers with 24/7 in-house dispatch and real-time tracking. We support drayage coordination and inland FTL execution around the Port of Norfolk, including high-frequency lanes from Charlotte, Raleigh, Columbus, and Chicago.
Request a Port of Norfolk Drayage + Inland FTL Quote
If you need container pickup, export positioning, or port-connected linehaul into Norfolk, we can price the move fast and execute it clean.
Frequently Asked Questions About Port of Norfolk Drayage and Inland FTL
What is the difference between drayage and inland FTL?
Drayage is the short container move between the port terminal and a nearby facility such as a yard or transload site. Inland FTL is the longer full truckload move between the Norfolk area and inland cities.
How long do Charlotte and Raleigh port moves to Norfolk take?
Most Charlotte to Norfolk and Raleigh to Norfolk moves run same day or within one day, depending on appointments and terminal gate windows.
How long do Columbus and Chicago port moves to Norfolk take?
Columbus to Norfolk typically runs 1 to 2 days. Chicago to Norfolk usually runs about 2 days, with tighter planning required for cutoff-sensitive freight.
What are typical 2026 freight rate benchmarks for the inland FTL portion?
For 2026 planning, spot market ranges are typically $2.54–$2.83 per mile. The national average is about $3.09 per mile, with contract rates commonly $3.05–$3.19+ per mile. Drayage pricing varies based on appointments, chassis, and turn times.
What makes port drayage pricing change quickly?
Appointment availability, gate turn times, chassis access, and empty return requirements can change day to day and directly impact cost.
How do shippers reduce detention and demurrage risk?
Schedule appointments early, confirm terminal requirements, avoid missed gate windows, and plan empty returns before the container is pulled.
What details are required for an accurate drayage quote?
Origin, destination terminal or facility, container size, weight, cargo type, pickup and delivery windows, and empty return instructions are the core details needed to quote accurately.