How container drayage works in Miami and Fort Lauderdale
South Florida has two container ports: PortMiami on Dodge and Lummus islands and Port Everglades in Broward County. Both are rail-linked to the Florida East Coast Railway, so local drayage includes both port and rail ramp work, much of it for Latin American trade.
- PortMiami
- Tunnel straight to I-395; on-dock rail
- Port Everglades
- Near I-595 and I-95, with a near-port rail yard
- Trade
- Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and Europe
- Rail
- FEC to Hialeah, Jacksonville and beyond
More about drayage in Miami / Fort Lauderdale
PortMiami sits on Dodge and Lummus islands in Biscayne Bay, connected to the mainland by the PortMiami Tunnel, which takes trucks straight to Interstate 395 and the Miami freeways without passing through downtown streets. Its container terminals, including the South Florida Container Terminal, Seaboard Marine's terminal and the POMTOC terminal, handle Asia, Europe and Latin America services.
Port Everglades in Broward County, straddling Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Dania Beach, is a leading container port for trade with Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as a fuel and cruise port. Its container yards in Southport and Midport are a short drive from Interstate 595 and Interstate 95.
Both ports have rail links to the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC), which runs up the Atlantic coast to Jacksonville. PortMiami has on-dock rail, and Port Everglades has a near-port intermodal container transfer facility. Many containers move by FEC to its Hialeah yard or to Jacksonville and beyond, so South Florida drayage includes both port and rail ramp work.
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Marine terminals
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Rail ramps
Railroads
Florida East Coast Railway · CSX · South Florida Rail Corridor
Main highways
I-95 · I-395 · I-595 · SR-826 Palmetto Expressway · SR-836 Dolphin Expressway · Florida's Turnpike · I-75
Container terminals and rail ramps in Miami / Fort Lauderdale
Where containers are picked up and returned in the Miami / Fort Lauderdale area.
Marine terminal
Rail ramp
PortMiami
Marine terminal · Miami-Dade County
Container terminals on Dodge and Lummus islands, linked to I-395 by the PortMiami Tunnel, with on-dock FEC rail.
Port Everglades
Marine terminal · Broward County
Broward County port in Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Dania Beach, focused on Latin America and Caribbean trade.
Port Everglades ICTF
Rail ramp · Florida East Coast Railway
Near-port intermodal container transfer facility linking Port Everglades with the FEC network.
Hialeah Intermodal Ramp
Rail ramp · Florida East Coast Railway
FEC's Miami-area intermodal yard in Hialeah for domestic and international containers.
Latin America trade, perishables and freight forwarders
Miami is the commercial capital of Latin America, and much of its container trade flows south. Consumer goods, electronics, auto parts, medical supplies and machinery are consolidated in warehouses near Miami International Airport and in Doral, then exported in containers to the Caribbean, Central America and South America. That makes export drayage and consolidation work a large share of local trucking.
Inbound, South Florida receives fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers and seafood from the region. Perishables often need reefer drayage to cold storage warehouses in Medley, Doral and near the ports, with USDA inspections that can affect pickup times.
The area around the airport in Doral and Medley has one of the highest concentrations of freight forwarders and warehouses in the country. Carriers that know these districts and their tight streets can deliver more efficiently.
Traffic, tolls and storms
South Florida traffic is among the worst in the country, and Interstate 95, the Palmetto Expressway (SR-826) and Florida's Turnpike are often congested. Carriers schedule early pickups and avoid peak hours when possible, and many routes include toll roads.
Hurricane season from June to November can close both ports. When a storm threatens, terminals stop receiving and ships divert, and afterward there is a surge of containers that must be cleared quickly.
Florida's flat terrain and short distances make many local moves quick, but heavy traffic means a 20-mile delivery can take longer than a much longer run elsewhere. Quotes often reflect time as much as distance.
Choosing between Miami, Port Everglades and rail
For many South Florida shippers, the choice of port comes down to the ocean carrier's service and the location of the warehouse. A distribution center in Broward or Palm Beach County is usually closer to Port Everglades, while one in Doral or Medley may be closer to PortMiami. Drayage costs can differ significantly for the same container depending on which port it uses.
Rail adds another option. The Florida East Coast Railway carries containers between the South Florida ports and its yards up the coast to Jacksonville, where they connect with CSX and Norfolk Southern. Shippers sending goods to the Southeast or Midwest can avoid long truck hauls on I-95 by using rail.
South Florida also has a large number of small and mid-sized carriers. When comparing quotes, check each carrier's equipment, insurance, reefer capability and experience with the specific port, because service levels vary widely.
Common lanes out of Miami / Fort Lauderdale
Approximate one-way highway miles for the runs local carriers quote most often.
Doral / Medley
Forwarders and warehouses near Miami International Airport.
15 mi
Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)
Cross-port moves between Miami and Broward.
25 mi
West Palm Beach
Palm Beach County distribution via I-95.
70 mi
Orlando
Central Florida via Florida's Turnpike.
235 mi
Tampa
West coast via I-75 across Alligator Alley.
280 mi
Booking drayage in Miami / Fort Lauderdale: what to know
Local habits that change the price and timing of a move in Miami / Fort Lauderdale. Mention them when you ask for a quote.
Specify PortMiami or Port Everglades
The ports are 25 miles apart with different gates and rules. Name the port and terminal in your quote request.
Plan for inspections on perishables
USDA and CBP inspections can delay release of produce and flowers. Coordinate with your broker before dispatching a reefer.
Expect tolls and time-based pricing
Many South Florida routes use toll roads, and heavy traffic means quotes may reflect time more than miles.
Book export consolidation early
Latin America exports often move on tight weekly sailings. Book the empty pickup and return before the cutoff week.
Drayage markets near Miami / Fort Lauderdale
Many carriers that serve Miami / Fort Lauderdale also run these nearby ports and rail ramps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about container drayage in Miami / Fort Lauderdale, FL.