Drayage overview and cost estimates from the Port of Houston to key Texas markets
- Houston serves as a major hub for global trade due to its strategic location and the extensive operations at the Port of Houston at the Barbours Cut Terminal and Bayport Terminal. Over the past 12 months, Port Houston has handled approximately 4.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
- Drayage rates fluctuate daily, influenced by distance, fuel surcharges, and accessorial fees such as chassis availability, detention, and congestion. Market conditions—like fuel prices, driver availability, and equipment shortages—can cause these fees to exceed the initial linehaul rate.
- A standard drayage trip for a 40-foot container from the Port of Houston to a 20-mile distance averages $590. Costs increase with distance but beneficial cargo owners (BCO) who are moving large volumes can often negotiate lower rates. Properties closer to the port offer savings on transportation and help users avoid costly fees like demurrage (charges for delayed container pickup) and detention (fees for late container returns). Logistics users also look for properties with heavy trailer parking to avoid such fees.
- Generally, large importers moving thousands of containers annually tend to locate within a 25-mile radius of the port. The port is in the Southeast Submarket, which is home to major retail goods importers like Walmart, Home Depot, Ikea, and leading 3PLs including Deugro, Gateway Logistics, and Gulf Coast Crating.
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US-TX-HOU Houston