Drayage services move containers between ports, rail terminals, and distribution centers—but how you move them matters for your bottom line. Choosing between dedicated and shared drayage affects your costs, reliability, delivery windows, and ability to scale. We'll walk through the real trade-offs so you can make the right call for your operation.
What Dedicated Drayage Means
Dedicated drayage assigns one or more trucks and drivers exclusively to your account. Your carrier reserves capacity, prioritizes your shipments, and builds familiarity with your pickup and drop-off locations. You pay a monthly retainer or guaranteed minimum, typically ranging from $3,000–$8,000 per truck per month depending on region, truck type, and term length.
This model works best if you move consistent volume—think 10+ containers weekly from the same port to a nearby warehouse. The dedicated driver learns your dock procedures, reduces wait times, and improves predictability.
What Shared Services Look Like
Shared (or spot) drayage pools your shipment with other customers' freight on the same truck. You pay per-trip or per-container, usually $150–$400 per move in major port corridors like Los Angeles, Long Beach, or Houston. Rates fluctuate based on demand, fuel, and available capacity on any given day.
Shared services suit one-off shipments, variable volume, or seasonal spikes. You avoid fixed costs and don't commit capital upfront. The trade-off: longer pickup windows (24–48 hours), potential consolidation delays, and less control over exact timing.
Cost Comparison That Actually Matters
Dedicated cost example:
- Monthly retainer: $5,500 for one truck
- Assumes 40 moves per month
- Cost per move: $137.50
- Works out if your volume is reliable
Shared cost example:
- Spot rate: $250 per container
- 40 moves per month = $10,000
- No monthly commitment
Dedicated wins on per-move pricing only when volume is consistent. If you drop below 30 moves monthly, shared services become cheaper. If you spike above 50 moves, dedicated capacity pays for itself and then some.
Key Factors to Weigh
Shipment frequency and predictability Do you ship the same volume every week, or does it swing wildly? Weekly consistency favors dedicated; irregular patterns point to shared.
Port congestion and timing needs If your shipments must move within a 4-hour window to meet production schedules, dedicated drivers who know your operation save hours of delay. Shared services rarely guarantee that precision. West Coast ports often see 2–3 hour swings in congestion; dedicated fleets absorb that risk for you.
Distance and geographic spread Short-haul moves (under 50 miles) within one metro area suit either model. Long-haul drayage (100+ miles inland) or shipments across multiple destinations make dedicated less efficient unless you have true network density.
Seasonal peaks Running dedicated year-round but only needing capacity 6 months annually wastes money. Shared services let you scale up August–October without leases or long-term commitments.
Cash flow and capex constraints Dedicated requires upfront commitment; shared is pay-as-you-go. If working capital is tight or you're growing unpredictably, shared reduces financial risk.
How to Test Before Committing
Start with 3–5 shared moves from your primary port to validate your actual transit needs, dwell times, and real-world costs. Track which moves felt rushed and which had padding. After 2–3 weeks of data, approach dedicated carriers with your volumes and ask for a pilot: 4–8 weeks at guaranteed rate to prove the model works.
Many carriers offer partial dedication—reserving 1–2 truck slots on rotating routes—at 15–25% discount to shared pricing. This bridges the gap if you're between 25 and 40 moves monthly.
Working with Providers
Request references from shippers in your industry; port drayage is local and reputation-driven. Ask about detention policies, wait-time charges, and how they handle exceptions (port delays, equipment issues). Confirm whether rates include fuel surcharges and are fixed or indexed. Platforms like Mercoly help you compare and find trusted Drayage & Port Services providers in one place, so you can vet multiple carriers side-by-side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens if my dedicated truck breaks down? Most carriers guarantee a backup within 2–4 hours or refund that day's fee; confirm their SLA in writing before signing.
Q: Can I switch from shared to dedicated mid-contract? Yes, but expect 30–60 days' notice and a ramp period; carriers need time to source equipment and hire drivers for your route.
Q: How do detention fees work in drayage? Typically free for 1–2 hours; then $25–$50 per hour at the port or warehouse—shared and dedicated both charge these, so factor them into volume projections.
Compare your actual shipment data against both models, then lock in a carrier that aligns with your cash flow and reliability needs.