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.
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.
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
| Container Type | Typical Rate Increase |
|---|---|
| 20-foot dry | Base price |
| 40-foot dry | Base price |
| 20-foot refrigerated | +$100 per trip |
| 40-foot refrigerated | +$100 per trip |
| Overweight/OOG | +$100–$250 (permits included) |
Each port charges handling and gate fees per container:
Port of Miami: not applicable
Port Everglades: $30-35 depending on terminal
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
Hazardous materials: +$100
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.
| Accessorial Item | Price | Unit of Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Chassis | $40 | Per day |
| Pre-pull (yard pull) | $150 | Per container |
| Chassis split | $120 | Per occurrence |
| Waiting Time (1 hr free at port & destination) | $100 | Per hour |
| Yard Storage | $50 | Per day (1st day free) |
| Terminal Dry Run | $250 + Waiting Time | Per occurrence (pre-approval) |
| Bobtail (local haul & fuel ‑ 15%) | Local haul & Fuel minus 15% | Per occurrence (pre-approval) |
| Tri-Axle Chassis | $100/day | Per day (pre-approval) |
| Overweight Fee | From $100 | Per container (permits included) |
| Hazardous Cargo (Class 9 only) | $100 | Per container (pre-approval) |
| Weekend Delivery Fee | $250 | Per container |
| After-Hours Delivery Fee | $150 | Per container |
| Scale Ticket | $121 | Per ticket |
| Residential Fee | $150 | Per container |
| Reefer Surcharge | $100 | Per container |
| Reefer Storage | $100 | Per day |
| Layover | $350 | Per night |
For an instant estimate, use our drayage rate calculator. Simply enter:
Container size and type
Pickup terminal (Port of Miami or Port Everglades)
Delivery zip code
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.
Minimize Wait Times
Pre-schedule warehouse or yard appointments
Use our integrated transloading facility to unload quickly and return containers on time
Consolidate Shipments
Combine less-than-truckload (LTL) pallets into full containers
Reduce per-unit haul costs
Book Off-Peak Moves
Schedule drayage Tuesday–Thursday to avoid weekend premiums
Leverage early-morning slots when traffic is lighter
Leverage Service Bundles
Pair drayage with warehousing or cross-docking for volume discounts
One provider handling both reduces coordination costs
Partner with an Asset-Based Carrier
Avoid third-party chassis fees by using our own fleet
Ensure equipment availability during peak demand
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.
| Charge Component | 40′ Dry Container |
|---|---|
| Base haul (20 miles) | $260 |
| Fuel surcharge (30%) | $75 |
| Chassis fee (1 day) | $40 |
| Detention (1 hr free) | $0 |
| Total | $378 |
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: