Services
Drayage & Port
Need cargo moved between ports, rail, or warehouses? That's drayage. We handle short hauls fast so your supply chain never stalls.
Drayage is the short-haul trucking that connects ports, rail ramps, and warehouses — the critical first and last mile of intermodal and international supply chains. When a container arrives at the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of New York/New Jersey, Savannah, Houston, or any major US gateway, drayage carriers move it on chassis to your warehouse, transload facility, or inland rail ramp.
Drayage looks simple on paper — typically under 50–100 miles — but port environments are complex. Terminal congestion, chassis shortages, appointment windows, per-diem charges, customs holds, and overweight permits all affect timing and cost. An experienced drayage broker saves shippers from demurrage, detention, and per-diem fees that can exceed the base haul rate.
LoadFox coordinates drayage at major US ports and inland intermodal ramps. We manage carrier assignment, chassis coordination, terminal appointments, and empty container returns — keeping your import or export container moving through the supply chain without costly idle time.
Whether you're an importer receiving FCL containers from Asia, an exporter staging loaded containers for vessel departure, or a domestic shipper using rail ramps for long-haul intermodal, LoadFox drayage services bridge the gap between ocean/rail and your facility.
Why Choose LoadFox for Drayage?
- ✓Port and rail ramp pickup coordination
- ✓Chassis and container management
- ✓Transload and warehouse staging support
- ✓Coverage at major US ports and inland ramps
Ideal For
- •Import containers from US ocean ports to warehouses
- •Export containers from facility to port loading
- •Rail ramp pickup and delivery for intermodal
- •Transload operations between container and domestic trailer
- •Cross-dock and staging near port markets
- •FCA and FOB incoterm last-mile coordination
Equipment Types
- 40' and 45' container chassis
- 20' container drayage
- Tri-axle chassis for overweight containers
- Port-compliant tractors for terminal access
How Drayage Shipping Works
- 1
Container & Lane Details
Provide port or ramp, container number, steamship line, delivery address, and free time deadlines. We quote base haul, chassis, and known accessorials.
- 2
Terminal Appointment
We schedule port or ramp pickup within your free time window, coordinating with terminal availability and your receiving hours.
- 3
Live Load or Drop
Driver hauls container to your facility for live unload or drops the container for later pickup (drop-and-hook).
- 4
Empty Return
Empty container is returned to designated depot or port within per-diem free days to avoid daily charges.
Nationwide Coverage
LoadFox coordinates drayage at major US ports including Los Angeles/Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Savannah, Houston, Charleston, Seattle, Oakland, and inland ramps across the national intermodal network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is drayage in freight?+
Drayage is short-distance trucking (typically under 50–100 miles) that moves shipping containers between ports, rail ramps, warehouses, and transload facilities using container chassis.
Which ports does LoadFox serve?+
We coordinate drayage at all major US container ports and inland intermodal ramps. Contact us with your specific port or ramp for lane-specific capacity and pricing.
How is drayage priced?+
Drayage quotes include base haul rate, fuel surcharge, chassis usage, and port/ramp fees. Additional charges may apply for detention, pre-pull, storage, overweight permits, and per-diem if containers aren't returned on time.
What is per-diem and how do I avoid it?+
Per-diem is a daily charge assessed when an empty container isn't returned within the steamship line's free days. LoadFox tracks free time deadlines and coordinates prompt empty returns to minimize per-diem exposure.
What is demurrage vs detention in drayage?+
Demurrage is charged by the terminal or steamship line when a container sits at the port beyond free time. Detention is charged when a driver waits beyond the allowed free time for loading or unloading. Both are avoidable with proper scheduling.
Can you handle overweight containers?+
Yes. Overweight containers require tri-axle chassis and may need special routing or permits. Provide gross weight upfront so we assign the right equipment and avoid roadside violations.