Calculating Drayage Rates in Miami: Costs & Key Factors

Calculating drayage rates can feel complex, but understanding the key cost drivers empowers you to budget accurately and avoid unexpected fees. This guide breaks down how drayage pricing works at the Port of Miami and Port Everglades, explains each cost component, and shares proven strategies to lower your container drayage rates.

Overview of Drayage Pricing

Drayage rates cover the short-haul transport of containers between ports, rail yards, and nearby warehouses. At Miami Container Trucking, our transparent pricing model combines fixed and variable charges to reflect real-world costs:

• Base haul rate for the miles traveled

• Fuel surcharge tied to weekly diesel indexes

• Port and terminal fees set by each facility

• Time-based charges for detention and demurrage

• Special handling fees for overweight, refrigerated, or hazardous cargo

Learn more about container drayage fundamentals in our Comprehensive Guide to Container Drayage in Miami & South Florida.

Primary Cost Components

1. Base Distance & Fuel Surcharge

•  Local haul (first 25 miles): flat rate based on container type

•  Extended haul (beyond 25 miles): per-mile charge

•  Fuel surcharge: varies weekly according to national diesel price indexes

2. Container Size & Type

Each port charges handling and gate fees per container:

• Port of Miami: not applicable

• Port Everglades: $30-35 depending on terminal

4. Time-Based Charges

•  Detention: $100/hour after 1 free hour at consignee site

•  Demurrage: $100/hour after 1 free hour at the terminal

•  Weekend/holiday pickups: +$150-$250

5. Special Handling Requirements

•  Hazardous materials: +$100

Accessorial Charges & Supplemental Fees

Beyond the base haul rate and fuel surcharge, Miami Container Trucking applies the following accessorial charges to your drayage quote. Use our Drayage Calculator for a complete, transparent estimate.

Using Our Drayage Calculator

For an instant estimate, use our drayage rate calculator. Simply enter:

1. Container size and type

2. Pickup terminal (Port of Miami or Port Everglades)

3. Delivery zip code

4. Special requirements (reefer, overweight, hazmat)

You’ll receive a breakdown of haul rates, fuel surcharge, terminal fees, and any accessorials-allowing you to budget with confidence.

Five Strategies to Optimize Drayage Costs

1. Minimize Wait Times

   •  Pre-schedule warehouse or yard appointments

   •  Use our integrated transloading facility to unload quickly and return containers on time

2. Consolidate Shipments

   •  Combine less-than-truckload (LTL) pallets into full containers

   •  Reduce per-unit haul costs

3. Book Off-Peak Moves

   •  Schedule drayage Tuesday–Thursday to avoid weekend premiums

   •  Leverage early-morning slots when traffic is lighter

4. Leverage Service Bundles

   •  Pair drayage with warehousing or cross-docking for volume discounts

   •  One provider handling both reduces coordination costs

5. Partner with an Asset-Based Carrier

   •  Avoid third-party chassis fees by using our own fleet

   •  Ensure equipment availability during peak demand

Miami Container Trucking’s Transparent Pricing

We believe clarity in billing builds trust. Every invoice lists:

• Base haul rate

• Fuel surcharge (with published index reference)

• Terminal fees (broken out by facility)

• Accessorials (detention, demurrage, special handling)

No hidden charges. No surprises.

Sample Rate Calculation

Next Steps & Resources

Ready to calculate your own drayage rates? Visit our Drayage Calculator now.

For a deeper dive into drayage services in South Florida, see our flagship guide: Container Drayage in Miami & South Florida – Comprehensive Guide to Services.

Questions? Contact our team for personalized support: