Drayage Rates Per Container 2026: Port & Ramp Move Benchmarks
Drayage pays per container move — not per mile. Learn 2026 planning bands by port/ramp market, what fees destroy net, and how many moves you need to hit your income target.
$150–500+
Per Move Band
3–5
Typical Moves/Day
$50–150+
Split Fee Risk
Home nightly
Lifestyle
Key Takeaways
- Drayage is priced per container move; RPM is a conversion, not the quote.
- Market (LA/LB, NY/NJ, Savannah, Chicago, Dallas, etc.) drives the band.
- Splits, per diem, and unpaid waits are the silent profit killers.
- Company driver salary ≠ OO gross — cost stack differs completely.
- TWIC and appointments matter at marine terminals.
- Always confirm who pays demurrage before you accept a hot box.
Ahmad Qazi
Founder & CEO, O Trucking LLC
Fact-Checked by O Trucking Dispatch Team
5+ years helping carriers with rates, authority, and compliance
Sources:
Written by Ahmad Qazi, founder of O Trucking LLC, drawing on 9+ years dispatching for owner-operators. Learn more about us.
O TruckingDrayage Rates Per Container 2026: Port & Ramp Move Benchmarks
2026 Per-Container Planning Bands
| Scenario | Typical move pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Short local (under ~40 mi) | $150–$280 | Volume matters more than rate |
| Standard regional (40–100 mi) | $220–$400 | Most common band |
| Longer pull / specialty | $400–$600+ | Overweight, haz, dual moves |
| Congested peak port | Wide / surge | Appointments + wait risk |
Planning only
Market Type Differences
West Coast ports
High volume, appointment culture, fee complexity.
East / Gulf ports
Different congestion patterns; TWIC still common.
Inland rail hubs
Often steadier cycles; railroad schedule dependent.
Fees & Accessorials That Change Net
| Fee | Typical range | Who should pay |
|---|---|---|
| Chassis rental | $15–$30/day | Usually carrier/OO unless included |
| Chassis split | $50–$150+ | Negotiate — do not assume |
| Detention / wait | Market rules | After free time in rate con |
| Demurrage / per diem | Terminal tariffs | Usually BCO/shipper — confirm |
| Pre-pull / storage | Market | Extra if you stage boxes |
More: chassis guide, accessorial charges list, how to read a rate con.
Daily Income Math for OOs
Simple target
Example: 4 moves × $280 = $1,120 gross. Fuel $180, chassis $25, other $40 → ~$875 before truck note/insurance amortization. Compare to OO salary targets.
Drayage vs Over-the-Road
Drayage trades OTR RPM and sleeper life for home nights and per-move billing. See intermodal vs OTR and local trucking rates. Screen partners with carrier lookup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average drayage rate per container in 2026?
There is no single national average. Local short pulls may land $150–$300; longer or congested port moves often $300–$500+. Always price your specific port pair.
How many containers can I pull per day?
Many day-cab OOs average 3–5 in healthy markets. Congestion, dual transactions, and chassis hunts can drop that to 1–2 — which is why per-move rate alone misleads.
Who pays chassis split fees?
Contract language decides. If you eat splits, short moves can go negative. Negotiate or walk.
Is drayage good for new owner-operators?
It can be if you are near volume and understand fees. Startup still needs truck, insurance, TWIC (if port), and working capital for slow weeks.
How do I verify a drayage broker or carrier?
Check authority, insurance, and complaint history. Use <Link href="/tools/carrier-lookup/" className="text-primary-600 hover:underline">O Trucking carrier lookup</Link> plus FMCSA SAFER before you dedicate capacity.
Related: port drayage demurrage, chassis split fees, intermodal rates, OO rates per mile.
How Our Team Helps
At O Trucking LLC, we help carriers turn headline rates into higher effective revenue.
Move density
Prioritize pairs that turn without chassis hunts.
Fee clarity
Rate cons that assign splits/demurrage clearly.
Payment speed
Dray volume needs reliable cash conversion.
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Running Port or Ramp Drayage?
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