If your supply chain touches ocean freight or rail intermodal, drayage is the critical short-haul link that keeps containers moving between ports, ramps, and warehouses.
What Is Drayage?
Drayage is short-distance trucking — typically under 50–100 miles — that moves shipping containers and freight between:
- Ocean ports and nearby warehouses
- Rail ramps and distribution centers
- Transload facilities and final delivery points
The term comes from "dray," a low cart without fixed sides. Today, drayage means container chassis trucking at ports and intermodal ramps.
How Port Drayage Works
- Container arrives at port on vessel
- Customs clearance (for imports)
- Drayage carrier picks up container on chassis from port terminal
- Delivery to warehouse, transload, or rail ramp
- Empty return — driver returns empty container to port or designated depot
Key Drayage Costs
- Base dray rate (port to warehouse)
- Chassis usage fee
- Port terminal fees and congestion surcharges
- Fuel surcharge
- Detention (if loading/unloading exceeds free time)
- Per diem (if container isn't returned within free days)
When You Need Drayage
- Importing goods through US ports
- Exporting — moving loaded containers to port
- Intermodal — first/last mile around rail ramps
- Transloading between container and domestic trailer
LoadFox Drayage Services
LoadFox coordinates drayage at major US ports and inland ramps with vetted carriers and transparent, itemized pricing.
Request a drayage quote for your port or ramp lane.