How container drayage works in Greer and the Upstate
Inland Port Greer, opened in 2013 on Norfolk Southern's main line, gets overnight trains from the Port of Charleston about 212 miles away. BMW's largest plant in the world, next door, and its suppliers are among its biggest users.
- Terminal
- Inland Port Greer, SC Ports
- Port link
- Overnight NS rail to Charleston
- Main customer
- BMW Manufacturing and suppliers
- Counties
- Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson and Pickens
More about drayage in Greer
SC Ports opened Inland Port Greer in 2013 on Norfolk Southern's main line, about 212 miles from the Port of Charleston. Containers move overnight by rail between Charleston and Greer, so Upstate manufacturers can receive imports and ship exports without long truck hauls on I-26. The inland port has been expanded several times as volumes grew.
The facility sits near Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport and the BMW Manufacturing plant, BMW's largest in the world. BMW and its suppliers are among the inland port's biggest users, moving parts in and vehicles and components out.
Local drayage carriers move containers between Inland Port Greer and plants and warehouses across Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson and Pickens counties, and into western North Carolina and northeast Georgia.
1
Inland port
Railroads
Norfolk Southern · CSX
Main highways
I-85 · I-26 · I-385 · US-29 · SC-101
Container terminals and rail ramps in Greer
Where containers are picked up and returned in the Greer area.
Inland port
Inland Port Greer
Inland port · SC Ports / Norfolk Southern
Opened 2013 on Norfolk Southern's main line near GSP airport and BMW; overnight rail service about 212 miles to the Port of Charleston.
Automotive and advanced manufacturing
The Upstate is one of the country's leading manufacturing regions. Besides BMW, there are tire makers such as Michelin, along with automotive suppliers, aerospace, plastics, textiles and machinery companies. Automotive supply chains require precise timing, and drayage carriers serving BMW suppliers follow strict delivery windows and plant procedures. Electric vehicle and battery investments in the region are adding new freight flows.
Distribution along I-85
Interstate 85 runs through the Upstate between Atlanta and Charlotte, and distribution centers line the corridor in Greer, Duncan, Spartanburg and Anderson. Retailers and e-commerce companies use the region to serve the Southeast. Many warehouses are within 20 miles of Inland Port Greer, keeping drayage short. Traffic on I-85 can be heavy around Greenville and Spartanburg, and construction projects can cause delays.
Why the inland port matters
Before Inland Port Greer, Upstate shippers trucked containers about 210 miles to Charleston. Rail reduces costs, truck miles and emissions, and it frees up drivers for shorter local moves. Empty containers available at Greer help exporters load locally, and the overnight rail schedule keeps transit times competitive. SC Ports continues to invest in the inland port to handle growing volumes.
BMW and the Upstate automotive cluster
BMW's plant in Greer and Spartanburg County, opened in the 1990s, has grown into the company's largest factory in the world, building popular SUV models for global markets. It is also one of the largest automotive exporters in the United States, shipping vehicles through the Port of Charleston.
Dozens of suppliers have located in the Upstate to serve BMW, producing seats, interiors, electronics and other components. Many of them import parts from Europe and Asia in containers, and Inland Port Greer lets those containers come by rail from Charleston to within a few miles of their plants.
Outbound, BMW ships finished vehicles to Charleston for export, and many suppliers send parts to other assembly plants in North America, so empty and loaded containers move through Inland Port Greer in both directions every day.
Upstate growth beyond automotive
The Upstate's economy extends well beyond BMW. Michelin's North American headquarters and tire plants, aerospace companies, plastics manufacturers and textile firms all have a presence in Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson counties.
Distribution centers along I-85 serve retailers and e-commerce companies, taking advantage of the region's location between Atlanta and Charlotte and its access to rail through Inland Port Greer.
As the region grows, SC Ports has expanded Inland Port Greer's capacity, and local drayage carriers continue to add trucks and drivers to keep up with demand.
Common lanes out of Greer
Approximate one-way highway miles for the runs local carriers quote most often.
BMW / Duncan
Automotive plant and suppliers near the inland port.
10 mi
Greenville
Upstate manufacturing and distribution.
15 mi
Spartanburg
Industrial parks along I-85 and I-26.
15 mi
Anderson
Western Upstate via I-85.
45 mi
Charlotte
North Carolina via I-85.
90 mi
Atlanta
Georgia via I-85.
160 mi
Booking drayage in Greer: what to know
Local habits that change the price and timing of a move in Greer. Mention them when you ask for a quote.
Use rail through Greer
Ask your ocean carrier for rail service to Inland Port Greer to avoid long truck hauls.
Match automotive windows
BMW suppliers need precise delivery. Share schedules with carriers.
Book early in peak periods
High volumes can tighten capacity. Reserve drayage in advance.
Avoid I-85 rush hours
Early or midday moves are often faster.
Drayage markets near Greer
Many carriers that serve Greer also run these nearby ports and rail ramps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about container drayage in Greer, SC.