Where the Georgia freight is
- Atlanta. One of the biggest truckload markets in the country. DAT ranked it first for spot van freight in 2019 and 2020. Warehouses and distribution centers ring the city along I-75, I-85 and I-20.
- Savannah. The Georgia Ports Authority calls the Port of Savannah the largest single-terminal container port in the Western Hemisphere. Import containers turn into van loads out of warehouses along I-16 and I-95.
- South Georgia farm country. Vidalia onions, peaches, pecans and vegetables, a lot of it on reefers.
- Dalton and North Georgia. Carpet and flooring freight.
Reloads and deadhead in Georgia
Delivering into Atlanta is rarely the problem. The problem is the next load. Plenty of Atlanta freight heads to Florida, and Florida is a tough place to reload for most of the year. A strong rate to Orlando can turn into a weak week if you deadhead to Jacksonville or take a cheap load back north.
So we look at two loads at a time. If the load to Florida plus the best realistic load out beats staying in the Southeast on rate per total mile, we take it. If it doesn't, we keep you on lanes that reload.
Georgia seasons
- Vidalia onions, April into early September. The 2026 pack date was April 13, set by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
- Peaches, late spring through summer. The harvest usually runs from mid-May into August, and a cool spring can push it later.
- Retail peak. Import containers through Savannah build ahead of the holidays, and that freight moves out of the warehouses by van.
Georgia rules and costs to know
- I-285 around Atlanta. Through trucks are expected to use the perimeter instead of driving through the city. Trucks with a pickup, delivery or repair inside the loop can go in.
- Atlanta traffic. Appointment times in metro Atlanta need room for the drive. A late arrival fine can cost more than the traffic you tried to beat.
- Diesel. EIA's Lower Atlantic average, the region that includes Georgia, was $5.65 a gallon for the week of October 12, 2026, against a $6.18 US average.
- Port loads. Savannah transload and container freight often comes with appointment windows and detention terms. We read them on the rate con before you roll.
How TenFour dispatches Georgia trucks
Every truck gets its own dispatcher who knows your lanes, your minimum and your home time. We book at or above your minimum, judge every load on rate per total mile with deadhead included, and look at where a load leaves you before we book it, which matters on every load headed into Florida. Know your number with the cost per mile calculator. Brokers pay you directly.
Questions
Is Atlanta a good market to reload in?
Usually. DAT ranked Atlanta the top market for spot van freight in 2019 and 2020, and has called it a freight hub within two days of the East Coast, Florida and the Southeast. The catch is where those loads go.
Why do so many Atlanta loads go to Florida?
Atlanta is a distribution point for the Southeast, and Florida is a big consumer market. DAT has listed Central Florida as a top delivery point for Atlanta loads. Florida ships out a lot less than it takes in for most of the year, so plan the way back before you book the load down.
When is Vidalia onion season?
The Georgia Department of Agriculture set the 2026 pack date at April 13. Vidalias are sold from April into early September.
Can I drive a truck through downtown Atlanta?
Through trucks are expected to use I-285 around the city instead of cutting through on the interstates inside it. Trucks picking up or delivering inside the loop can go in.
Want a dispatcher who works for your margin?
Every truck gets its own dispatcher. We judge every load on rate per total mile, deadhead included, and never book under your minimum. Brokers pay you directly.