Freight Glossary
Drayage – Meaning & Examples
Short-distance trucking to move containers between ports, rail yards, and warehouses.
- Related terms
- port trucking, container trucking, short haul
Drayage is the short-distance transport of shipping containers, typically by truck. It covers movements between ports and rail yards, ports and warehouses, or rail yards and distribution centers. Drayage is a critical link in intermodal transport. Challenges include port congestion, chassis availability, and driver shortages. Drayage costs are typically quoted per container and vary by distance and market conditions.
Drayage examples
- Drayage trucks move containers from the Port of Long Beach to rail yards for cross-country transport.
How Drayage is used in freight operations
Drayage appears in quotations, bookings, shipping documents, and tracking updates. Confirm how it applies to your shipment with your carrier, forwarder, or customs representative, because practice can differ by country and contract.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Drayage?
Short-distance trucking to move containers between ports, rail yards, and warehouses.
What is an example of Drayage?
Drayage trucks move containers from the Port of Long Beach to rail yards for cross-country transport.