How container drayage works in Norfolk and Hampton Roads
The Port of Virginia runs its own terminals, led by Norfolk International Terminals and Virginia International Gateway. Its channels are 55 feet deep, and a large share of containers leave by train on Norfolk Southern and CSX.
- Terminals
- NIT, VIG, Portsmouth and Newport News
- Rail
- On-dock at NIT and VIG; NS Heartland Corridor
- Warehouses
- Suffolk and Chesapeake
- Watch for
- Tunnel congestion and hazmat route limits
More about drayage in Norfolk
The Port of Virginia operates its own terminals through Virginia International Terminals. Norfolk International Terminals (NIT) and Virginia International Gateway (VIG) in Portsmouth are the main container terminals, both with semi-automated stacking yards. Portsmouth Marine Terminal and Newport News Marine Terminal handle additional cargo, including breakbulk and roll-on/roll-off.
The port completed a project to deepen its channels to 55 feet, making it one of the deepest on the East Coast and able to handle the largest container ships. Rail is central: NIT's Central Rail Yard and VIG's on-dock rail connect with Norfolk Southern and CSX, sending containers to Chicago, Ohio, the Southeast and the Midwest via routes such as Norfolk Southern's Heartland Corridor.
Local drayage carriers move containers from the terminals to warehouses in Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Norfolk and Virginia Beach, and run regional moves to Richmond, North Carolina and beyond.
4
Marine terminals
Railroads
Norfolk Southern · CSX · Norfolk & Portsmouth Belt Line · Commonwealth Railway
Main highways
I-64 · I-264 · I-464 · I-664 · US-58 · US-13
Container terminals and rail ramps in Norfolk
Where containers are picked up and returned in the Norfolk area.
Marine terminal
Norfolk International Terminals
Marine terminal · Port of Virginia
Main container terminal in Norfolk with semi-automated stacking and the on-terminal Central Rail Yard.
Virginia International Gateway
Marine terminal · Port of Virginia
Semi-automated container terminal in Portsmouth with on-dock rail.
Portsmouth Marine Terminal
Marine terminal · Port of Virginia
Terminal in Portsmouth handling containers, breakbulk and other cargo.
Newport News Marine Terminal
Marine terminal · Port of Virginia
Peninsula terminal handling breakbulk, ro/ro and some containers.
Warehouses in Suffolk and Chesapeake
Suffolk and Chesapeake have become major distribution hubs, with large warehouses for retailers and e-commerce companies along US-58, I-664 and I-64. Many import containers are delivered within 20 miles of the terminals. Military installations in Hampton Roads, including Naval Station Norfolk, generate specialized freight. Shipbuilding in Newport News and Norfolk adds industrial cargo and equipment imports.
Tunnels, bridges and hazmat
Hampton Roads is divided by water, and trucks must use tunnels and bridges such as the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel, Midtown and Downtown tunnels. Hazmat restrictions apply in some tunnels, and carriers must use approved routes. Traffic at tunnels can cause long delays, and expansion projects are underway to add capacity. Tolls on some tunnels and bridges add to costs.
Rail, barge and inland connections
A large share of Port of Virginia containers move by rail, making it a leading East Coast port for intermodal. Norfolk Southern and CSX trains link the port with inland markets, including the Virginia Inland Port in Front Royal. The Richmond Express barge service carries containers up the James River between Norfolk and the Richmond Marine Terminal. Hurricanes and nor'easters can disrupt operations, and the port issues advisories when weather threatens.
Why the Port of Virginia moves so much by rail
The Port of Virginia has invested heavily in on-dock rail at Norfolk International Terminals and Virginia International Gateway, and its partners Norfolk Southern and CSX run frequent trains to inland markets. A large share of the port's containers leave by train, one of the highest rail shares of any East Coast port.
Norfolk Southern's Heartland Corridor gives the port a direct double-stack route to Columbus, Cincinnati and Chicago, while CSX's National Gateway connects to Ohio and beyond. These routes make Norfolk a natural gateway for Midwest importers.
For local drayage carriers, the port's rail focus means fewer long-haul truck moves but steady demand for short moves within Hampton Roads and to the Virginia Inland Port and Richmond.
Common lanes out of Norfolk
Approximate one-way highway miles for the runs local carriers quote most often.
Chesapeake
Warehouses along I-64 and I-464.
15 mi
Suffolk
Major distribution centers along US-58.
20 mi
Richmond
Central Virginia via I-64; also served by barge.
95 mi
Rocky Mount, NC
Eastern North Carolina.
120 mi
Front Royal (Virginia Inland Port)
Rail-served inland port.
220 mi
Greensboro, NC
Piedmont Triad via US-58 and I-85.
230 mi
Booking drayage in Norfolk: what to know
Local habits that change the price and timing of a move in Norfolk. Mention them when you ask for a quote.
Name the terminal
NIT, VIG, Portsmouth and Newport News are separate. Include the terminal in your request.
Plan tunnel routes
Tunnel congestion and hazmat bans affect routes. Choose carriers that know Hampton Roads.
Use rail for inland moves
The port's strong rail connections can be cheaper for Midwest and Ohio Valley destinations.
Consider the Richmond barge
For Central Virginia, the Richmond Express barge can avoid I-64 traffic.
Drayage markets near Norfolk
Many carriers that serve Norfolk also run these nearby ports and rail ramps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about container drayage in Norfolk, VA.