How container drayage works in Dillon
Inland Port Dillon, opened by SC Ports in 2018 on CSX's I-95 main line, moves containers about 175 miles by rail to and from the Port of Charleston. Pee Dee shippers pick up imports and drop off exports locally instead of trucking to the coast.
- Terminal
- Inland Port Dillon, SC Ports
- Port link
- CSX rail to Charleston
- Counties
- Dillon, Marion, Florence and Marlboro, plus Robeson, NC
- Highway
- I-95
More about drayage in Dillon
SC Ports opened Inland Port Dillon in 2018 on the CSX main line along Interstate 95. Containers move by rail about 175 miles between Dillon and the Port of Charleston, so shippers in the region can pick up imports and drop off exports locally instead of trucking to the coast.
The inland port has attracted distribution centers and manufacturers to the Pee Dee region, including companies that built warehouses near the facility. Its location on I-95 makes it a natural hub for freight moving up and down the East Coast.
Local drayage carriers move containers between the inland port and customers in Dillon, Marion, Florence and Marlboro counties, as well as Robeson County and the Lumberton area in North Carolina.
1
Inland port
Railroads
CSX
Main highways
I-95 · US-301 · US-501 · SC-9 · I-74 (NC)
Container terminals and rail ramps in Dillon
Where containers are picked up and returned in the Dillon area.
Inland port
Inland Port Dillon
Inland port · SC Ports
Opened 2018 on the CSX main line along I-95, with rail service about 175 miles to the Port of Charleston.
Distribution and manufacturing
Large distribution centers have been built near Inland Port Dillon, including facilities for major retailers. The combination of rail to Charleston and I-95 access lets companies serve the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic efficiently. Manufacturers in the Pee Dee region produce tires, food products, textiles and industrial goods. Florence, about 30 miles away, has a growing industrial base. Many shippers use the inland port to reduce truck miles and avoid congestion near Charleston.
Agriculture and exports
Eastern South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina grow tobacco, cotton, soybeans, peanuts and sweet potatoes. Some agricultural products are exported in containers through Charleston via the inland port. Timber and wood products are also important exports from the region. Empty container availability at the inland port helps exporters load locally.
I-95 and regional routes
Interstate 95 runs directly past Dillon, connecting it with Florence, Fayetteville and the rest of the East Coast. I-73 is planned to connect the area with Myrtle Beach and the Piedmont. Traffic on I-95 can be heavy, especially during summer travel to the beaches. Carriers plan around peak periods. Hurricanes and tropical storms can cause flooding in the Pee Dee region, affecting roads and rail.
How Inland Port Dillon changed the Pee Dee region
Before Inland Port Dillon opened, shippers in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina had to truck containers to Charleston or Wilmington, a trip of three hours or more each way. The inland port brought rail service close to home, cutting drayage distances dramatically.
The facility has helped attract new distribution centers to Dillon County and the surrounding area, creating jobs in a largely rural region. Its location directly on I-95 also makes it convenient for companies moving freight up and down the East Coast. Local carriers have grown alongside the inland port, offering shuttles between the terminal and customers within about an hour's drive.
Florence and regional manufacturing
Florence, about 30 miles southwest of Dillon, is the largest city in the Pee Dee and has a diverse manufacturing base, including tires, pharmaceuticals, food processing and industrial products. Many of these plants import materials and export finished goods in containers.
Interstates 95 and 20 meet near Florence, and the city is a regional distribution hub. Some shippers use Inland Port Dillon to reach Charleston, while others truck directly to the port. The combination of the inland port, interstate access and available land has made the Florence–Dillon corridor an increasingly attractive location for logistics investment.
Common lanes out of Dillon
Approximate one-way highway miles for the runs local carriers quote most often.
Marion / Mullins
Pee Dee region via US-501.
20 mi
Florence
Industrial and distribution hub via I-95.
30 mi
Lumberton, NC
Southeastern North Carolina via I-95.
35 mi
Myrtle Beach
Grand Strand via US-501.
65 mi
Fayetteville, NC
Via I-95 North.
70 mi
Charleston
Truck alternative to rail service.
175 mi
Booking drayage in Dillon: what to know
Local habits that change the price and timing of a move in Dillon. Mention them when you ask for a quote.
Ask for Dillon routing
Confirm your ocean carrier offers rail service to Inland Port Dillon.
Meet rail cutoffs
Export containers must reach Dillon before the train cutoff to Charleston.
Plan for I-95 summer traffic
Beach traffic can slow I-95. Allow extra time in summer.
Watch storm season
Flooding can affect roads. Keep flexibility in hurricane season.
Drayage markets near Dillon
Many carriers that serve Dillon also run these nearby ports and rail ramps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about container drayage in Dillon, SC.