How container drayage works in New Orleans
Port NOLA's container ships work the Napoleon Avenue terminal in Uptown New Orleans, reached by a dedicated riverfront truck route. Six Class I railroads serve the city, more than almost any US port.
- Terminal
- Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal, run by Ports America
- Truck route
- Tchoupitoulas Corridor along the river
- Rail
- UP, BNSF, CN, CSX, NS and CPKC plus the Public Belt
- Coming
- Louisiana International Terminal in St. Bernard Parish
More about drayage in New Orleans
Port NOLA's main container facility is the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal, on the Mississippi River in Uptown New Orleans and operated by Ports America. Trucks reach it through the riverfront Tchoupitoulas Corridor, a dedicated truck route along the river that keeps container traffic off residential streets.
New Orleans is unique in having six Class I railroads: Union Pacific, BNSF, CN, CSX, Norfolk Southern and CPKC, plus the port-owned New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, which switches between them. That gives shippers many rail options to the Midwest, Texas, the Southeast and Canada.
The port is also building the Louisiana International Terminal downriver in St. Bernard Parish, designed to handle larger ships that cannot pass under the Mississippi River bridges in the city. When complete, it will add significant container capacity and change some drayage patterns in the region.
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Marine terminals
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Rail ramp
Railroads
Union Pacific · BNSF · CN · CSX · Norfolk Southern · CPKC · New Orleans Public Belt Railroad
Main highways
I-10 · I-610 · I-310 · I-510 · US-90 · Tchoupitoulas Corridor
Container terminals and rail ramps in New Orleans
Where containers are picked up and returned in the New Orleans area.
Marine terminal
Rail ramp
Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal
Marine terminal · Ports America / Port NOLA
Port NOLA's main container terminal on the Mississippi River in Uptown New Orleans, reached by the Tchoupitoulas truck corridor.
Port NOLA Intermodal Container Transfer Facility
Rail ramp · New Orleans Public Belt Railroad
Rail yard next to the container terminal with switching to six Class I railroads through the New Orleans Public Belt.
Louisiana International Terminal (planned)
Marine terminal · Port NOLA
Planned container terminal in St. Bernard Parish below the bridges, designed for larger ships.
Plastics, chemicals and Louisiana exports
The lower Mississippi River corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans is lined with petrochemical plants that produce plastic resins and chemicals. Much of that output is exported in containers through New Orleans. Resin is often bagged at packaging warehouses and loaded into containers, then trucked to the terminal. Other exports include frozen poultry, forest products, metals and agricultural goods from the Mississippi Valley. Reefer exports require generator sets and cold storage coordination.
Heavy export loads may need tri-axle chassis or overweight permits. Louisiana has specific permit rules for heavy containers moving between plants and the port.
Imports, warehouses and the river
Imports through New Orleans include consumer goods, coffee, steel, rubber and building materials. Warehouses and distribution centers are located in Jefferson Parish, St. Charles Parish, the Westbank and along the I-10 corridor toward Baton Rouge.
New Orleans is a leading coffee port, with roasters and warehouses in the area handling containerized coffee beans. Coffee requires dry, clean containers and careful handling.
Barges on the Mississippi River connect New Orleans with the Midwest. Some containers move by barge, though most inland freight goes by rail or truck.
Storms, fog and river conditions
Hurricane season from June to November can close the port and roads. After storms, surges of containers and damage to infrastructure can strain local trucking capacity. Fog on the river and high or low water levels can delay vessels and barges. Carriers and shippers monitor river conditions and adjust schedules. Traffic in the metro, including on the Crescent City Connection bridge and I-10, can slow drayage moves, so carriers often schedule early appointments.
Why the Mississippi River bridges matter
Napoleon Avenue sits upriver from the Crescent City Connection and other bridges, which limit the height of ships that can reach it. As container ships have grown, the largest vessels can no longer pass under those bridges, which is one reason Port NOLA is developing the Louisiana International Terminal downstream in St. Bernard Parish.
When the new terminal opens, drayage patterns will shift. Trucks serving it will use roads in St. Bernard and Orleans parishes rather than the Uptown Tchoupitoulas Corridor, and rail connections are being planned to link it with the New Orleans Public Belt and the Class I railroads. For now, most container traffic still flows through Napoleon Avenue, and shippers should confirm which terminal their service uses as new capacity comes online.
Common lanes out of New Orleans
Approximate one-way highway miles for the runs local carriers quote most often.
Jefferson / St. Charles Parish
Warehouses and plants west of the city.
20 mi
Baton Rouge
Petrochemical corridor via I-10.
80 mi
Gulfport
Mississippi Gulf Coast via I-10 East.
80 mi
Mobile
Alabama port city via I-10.
145 mi
Jackson, MS
Mississippi distribution via I-55.
190 mi
Houston
Texas via I-10 West.
350 mi
Booking drayage in New Orleans: what to know
Local habits that change the price and timing of a move in New Orleans. Mention them when you ask for a quote.
Use the Tchoupitoulas Corridor
Container trucks must use the dedicated truck route to the Napoleon Avenue terminal. Carriers who know it save time.
Ask about rail options
With six Class I railroads, compare routings to inland destinations for cost and speed.
Plan heavy resin exports
Resin and chemical exports can be heavy. Confirm permits and chassis before dispatch.
Watch weather and river conditions
Storms, fog and river levels can disrupt schedules. Keep flexibility in your plans.
Drayage markets near New Orleans
Many carriers that serve New Orleans also run these nearby ports and rail ramps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about container drayage in New Orleans, LA.