Major US Ports Guide
A comprehensive guide to the 10 largest container ports in the United States, including trucking corridors, rail connections, cargo types, congestion insights, and drayage considerations.
Port of Los Angeles
San Pedro, CA
The largest container port in the Western Hemisphere, handling over 10 million TEUs annually. It's the primary gateway for trans-Pacific trade with Asia.
Major Trucking Corridors
- • I-10 to Phoenix, Dallas, Houston
- • I-15 to Las Vegas, Salt Lake City
- • I-5 to San Francisco, Portland, Seattle
Nearest Rail Ramps
- • BNSF Hobart Yard (Vernon, CA)
- • UP City of Industry Terminal
- • BNSF San Bernardino
Common Cargo
Consumer goods, electronics, furniture, auto parts, apparel, machinery
Congestion Insights
Frequent congestion during peak season (Aug–Nov). PierPass TMF fee applies during peak hours. Average truck turn times: 60–90 minutes.
Drayage Considerations
Chassis availability can be tight. Port requires appointment system (PierPass). Indray provides LA/LB drayage with dedicated chassis solutions.
Port of Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
Adjacent to LA, Long Beach is the second-busiest US port, handling 9+ million TEUs. Together with LA, it processes over 40% of all US container imports.
Major Trucking Corridors
- • I-710 to inland distribution centers
- • I-10 to Inland Empire, Dallas
- • I-15 to Las Vegas, Denver
Nearest Rail Ramps
- • UP ICTF (Carson, CA)
- • BNSF Hobart Yard
- • BNSF San Bernardino Intermodal
Common Cargo
Crude oil, electronics, plastics, auto parts, consumer goods, chemicals
Congestion Insights
Similar congestion patterns as LA port. Clean truck programs affect older equipment. Extended gate hours help manage volume.
Drayage Considerations
Clean Air Action Plan requires 2014+ model year trucks. Indray maintains CARB-compliant drayage fleet for LA/LB port operations.
Port of Houston
Houston, TX
The largest port in the Gulf region and a critical hub for petrochemicals, project cargo, and containers serving the Central US market.
Major Trucking Corridors
- • I-10 to San Antonio, New Orleans, Jacksonville
- • I-45 to Dallas
- • I-69 to Memphis, Chicago
Nearest Rail Ramps
- • UP Settegast Yard (Houston)
- • BNSF Alliance Terminal (Dallas)
- • BNSF Logistics Park Kansas City
Common Cargo
Petrochemicals, steel, project cargo, machinery, consumer goods, grain, cotton
Congestion Insights
Moderate congestion; lower than LA/LB. Hurricane season (Jun–Nov) can cause temporary shutdowns.
Drayage Considerations
Multiple terminals spread across Houston Ship Channel. Indray provides drayage to all Houston terminals with in-house dispatch.
Port of New York & New Jersey
Newark/Elizabeth, NJ
The largest port on the US East Coast and third-largest in the nation. Primary gateway for Northeast US and the nation's largest consumer market.
Major Trucking Corridors
- • I-95 to Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC
- • I-78/I-80 to Harrisburg, Columbus, Chicago
- • NJ Turnpike to all Northeast markets
Nearest Rail Ramps
- • ExpressRail Elizabeth (NJ)
- • ExpressRail Staten Island
- • CSX North Bergen (NJ)
Common Cargo
Consumer goods, beverages, furniture, machinery, chemicals, paper products
Congestion Insights
High congestion, especially during holiday import season. NYNJ has invested in infrastructure to reduce truck turn times.
Drayage Considerations
Indray is headquartered near Port Newark with direct access to all NYNJ terminals. Same-day and next-day drayage available across the tri-state area.
Port of Savannah
Garden City, GA
The fastest-growing major port in the US and the largest single-terminal container facility in North America. Handles 6+ million TEUs.
Major Trucking Corridors
- • I-16 to Atlanta
- • I-95 to Jacksonville, Charlotte
- • I-20 to Birmingham, Dallas
Nearest Rail Ramps
- • NS Austell Intermodal (Atlanta)
- • CSX Fairburn Terminal (Atlanta)
- • NS Charlotte Terminal
Common Cargo
Consumer goods, retail imports, forest products, poultry, kaolin, auto parts
Congestion Insights
Generally lower congestion than LA/LB or NYNJ. The port's large footprint allows efficient truck flow. Growing volumes may increase wait times.
Drayage Considerations
Indray provides Savannah drayage with connections to Atlanta distribution centers (250 miles via I-16).
Port of Charleston
Charleston, SC
A key Southeast port with a deepwater harbor accommodating the largest container ships. Handles 2.8+ million TEUs with significant growth.
Major Trucking Corridors
- • I-26 to Columbia, Asheville
- • I-95 to Charlotte, Richmond
- • I-77 to Charlotte, Columbus
Nearest Rail Ramps
- • NS Inland Port Greer (SC)
- • CSX Rocky Mount Terminal (NC)
- • NS Charlotte
Common Cargo
Auto parts (BMW, Volvo), consumer goods, machinery, forest products, tires
Congestion Insights
Low to moderate congestion. The new Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal has added significant capacity.
Drayage Considerations
Indray offers Charleston drayage with connections to the NS Inland Port in Greer, SC — providing rail access 200+ miles inland.
Port of Seattle
Seattle, WA
Part of the Northwest Seaport Alliance with Tacoma, Seattle serves as a major gateway for Alaska trade and trans-Pacific shipping.
Major Trucking Corridors
- • I-5 to Portland, Sacramento, LA
- • I-90 to Spokane, Boise, Billings
- • I-82 to Tri-Cities, Boise
Nearest Rail Ramps
- • BNSF SIG (Seattle)
- • UP Argo Yard (Seattle)
- • BNSF Auburn Yard
Common Cargo
Containerized goods, Alaska-bound cargo, grain, forest products, machinery
Congestion Insights
Moderate congestion. Jointly managed with Tacoma for efficiency.
Drayage Considerations
Indray provides Pacific Northwest drayage connecting Seattle terminals to regional distribution networks.
Port of Tacoma
Tacoma, WA
Part of the Northwest Seaport Alliance, Tacoma handles 3.5+ million TEUs jointly with Seattle. Key gateway for transpacific trade.
Major Trucking Corridors
- • I-5 to Seattle, Portland, California
- • I-90/I-82 to Eastern Washington, Idaho
Nearest Rail Ramps
- • BNSF Tacoma Intermodal
- • UP Tacoma Intermodal
Common Cargo
Containerized imports, vehicles, logs, grain, military cargo
Congestion Insights
Generally lower congestion than California ports. Extended gate programs available.
Drayage Considerations
Combined drayage services for Seattle/Tacoma corridor with intermodal rail connections.
Port of Oakland
Oakland, CA
Northern California's major container port, handling 2.5+ million TEUs. Serves the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Valley agriculture.
Major Trucking Corridors
- • I-80 to Sacramento, Reno, Salt Lake City
- • I-580 to Central Valley, San Joaquin
- • I-880 to San Jose, Bay Area
Nearest Rail Ramps
- • UP Oakland Intermodal
- • BNSF Richmond Intermodal
Common Cargo
Agricultural exports, wine, technology products, imported consumer goods
Congestion Insights
Moderate congestion. Less affected by peak season surges than LA/LB due to smaller volume.
Drayage Considerations
Indray provides Oakland drayage with warehouse transload services in the East Bay and Central Valley.
Port of Miami
Miami, FL
Known as the 'Cargo Gateway of the Americas,' Miami is the top US port for trade with Latin America and the Caribbean.
Major Trucking Corridors
- • I-95 to Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville
- • I-75 to Naples, Tampa, Atlanta
- • Florida Turnpike to Orlando
Nearest Rail Ramps
- • FEC Hialeah Yard (Miami)
- • CSX Winter Haven (FL)
Common Cargo
Perishables, pharmaceuticals, apparel, electronics, Latin America trade
Congestion Insights
Moderate congestion. Urban location creates access challenges. Tunnel to port improves truck flow.
Drayage Considerations
Indray provides Miami drayage with specialized handling for perishable and pharmaceutical cargo.
Port → Major Cities Served
| Port | Major Cities Served |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | LA, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Denver |
| Long Beach | Inland Empire, San Bernardino, Las Vegas, Dallas |
| Houston | Dallas, San Antonio, New Orleans, Memphis, Oklahoma City |
| New York / NJ | Newark, NYC, Philadelphia, Boston, Hartford |
| Savannah | Atlanta, Charlotte, Jacksonville, Birmingham |
| Charleston | Charlotte, Columbia, Greenville, Raleigh |
| Seattle | Portland, Spokane, Boise, Anchorage |
| Tacoma | Seattle, Portland, Eastern WA, Idaho |
| Oakland | San Francisco, Sacramento, Reno, Stockton |
| Miami | Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville |
Port → Connected Rail Hubs
| Port | Connected Rail Hubs |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles / Long Beach | BNSF Hobart, UP ICTF, San Bernardino |
| Houston | UP Settegast, BNSF Alliance (Dallas) |
| New York / New Jersey | ExpressRail Elizabeth, CSX N. Bergen |
| Savannah | NS Austell (Atlanta), CSX Fairburn |
| Charleston | NS Inland Port Greer, CSX Rocky Mount |
| Seattle / Tacoma | BNSF SIG, UP Argo, BNSF Auburn |
| Oakland | UP Oakland, BNSF Richmond |
| Miami | FEC Hialeah, CSX Winter Haven |
Need Port Drayage?
Indray provides drayage services at all major US ports. Call +1 908 864 2064 for competitive rates.