How container drayage works at the Gainesville Inland Port
The Gainesville Inland Port opened on May 4, 2026, with Norfolk Southern trains to the Port of Savannah five days a week. Northeast Georgia shippers now truck containers a short distance to Gainesville instead of about 300 miles to the coast.
- Terminal
- Gainesville Inland Port, built by the Georgia Ports Authority
- Capacity
- Up to 200,000 containers a year at full build-out
- Main market
- Hall, Jackson, Banks, Habersham and White counties
- Exports
- Especially poultry, in refrigerated containers
More about drayage in Gainesville / GIP
The Gainesville Inland Port, known during planning as the Blue Ridge Connector, is a $134 million facility built by the Georgia Ports Authority and served by Norfolk Southern. It opened on May 4, 2026, with rail service five days a week between Gainesville and Savannah's Garden City Terminal, and it is designed to handle up to 200,000 containers a year at full build-out.
For shippers in Northeast Georgia, the inland port changes the economics of international shipping. Instead of trucking each container about 300 miles to Savannah and back, a local drayage carrier moves it a short distance between the plant and the Gainesville terminal, and the train covers the long haul. The GPA expects the facility to remove tens of thousands of truck round trips a year from Georgia highways and the Atlanta region.
Drayage work centers on Hall, Jackson, Banks, Habersham and White counties, and on the fast-growing I-85 corridor toward Braselton and Commerce. Carriers handle both imports for local manufacturers and exports, especially poultry.
1
Inland port
Railroads
Norfolk Southern
Main highways
I-985 · I-85 · US-129 · US-23 · GA-365 · GA-369
Container terminals and rail ramps in Gainesville / GIP
Where containers are picked up and returned in the Gainesville / GIP area.
Inland port
Gainesville Inland Port
Inland port · Georgia Ports Authority / Norfolk Southern
Opened May 4, 2026; $134 million inland rail terminal with five-day-a-week Norfolk Southern service to Savannah and capacity for 200,000 containers a year at full build-out.
Poultry exports and refrigerated containers
Gainesville calls itself the Poultry Capital of the World, and the industry is central to the region's economy. Processing plants in and around Hall County export frozen chicken to markets in Asia, Latin America and elsewhere, typically in refrigerated containers.
Reefer exports require careful planning: empty reefers must be pre-tripped and set to the right temperature, loaded at the plant or a nearby cold storage warehouse, and delivered to the inland port with generator sets in time for the train. Carriers serving this trade need reefer experience and good relationships with cold storage operators.
With the inland port, poultry exporters can avoid long reefer hauls to Savannah, reducing fuel use and the risk of temperature problems over long distances.
Manufacturing in Northeast Georgia
Northeast Georgia has a diverse manufacturing base, including equipment, automotive parts, food products and consumer goods. Many plants in Gainesville, Jefferson, Commerce and Braselton import components and ship finished products overseas.
These manufacturers often run tight production schedules, so drayage must match plant dock times. Carriers that understand both the inland port's procedures and plant requirements keep containers moving efficiently.
The I-985 and I-85 corridors connect Gainesville with Atlanta and the Carolinas. For some shippers, the inland port is a complement to Atlanta's rail ramps, offering a more convenient pickup point for the northeast suburbs and rural counties.
What the new inland port means for local trucking
The Gainesville Inland Port shifts drayage work in Northeast Georgia from long hauls to short shuttles. Instead of drivers spending a full day driving to Savannah and back, they can make several trips a day between plants and the terminal, which improves efficiency and reduces the impact of driver shortages.
As the facility ramps up toward its full capacity, more carriers are adding Gainesville service, and shippers may see more competitive options. Early adopters have the chance to build relationships with carriers that know the terminal well.
The inland port also supports economic development. Industrial sites near Gainesville and along the I-985 and I-85 corridors become more attractive to manufacturers when they can access global shipping through a nearby rail terminal.
Common lanes out of Gainesville / GIP
Approximate one-way highway miles for the runs local carriers quote most often.
Jefferson / Commerce
Jackson County manufacturing along I-85.
25 mi
Athens
University city and regional industry.
40 mi
Atlanta
Metro Atlanta via I-985 and I-85.
55 mi
Greenville, SC
Upstate South Carolina via I-85 North.
85 mi
Savannah
The truck haul the inland port's rail service replaces.
300 mi
Booking drayage in Gainesville / GIP: what to know
Local habits that change the price and timing of a move in Gainesville / GIP. Mention them when you ask for a quote.
Ask for routing via Gainesville
As a new inland port, Gainesville must be specified in your ocean booking. Confirm the routing with your carrier or forwarder.
Plan reefer exports carefully
Frozen poultry needs pre-tripped reefers, gensets and cold storage coordination before the train cutoff.
Check train days
Service runs five days a week. Align loading and drayage with the train schedule.
Compare with Atlanta ramps
For some locations, Atlanta's Inman or Whitaker ramps may still be closer. Compare total cost.
Drayage markets near Gainesville / GIP
Many carriers that serve Gainesville / GIP also run these nearby ports and rail ramps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about container drayage in Gainesville / GIP, GA.