Why are drayage costs rising into 2026, and what's driving the increase?

Drayage costs are climbing due to a combination of factors: persistent driver shortages, elevated fuel price sensitivity, increased port congestion requiring longer wait times, and limited chassis availability that forces carriers to make multiple trips or use spot-market equipment at premium rates. These structural challenges are expected to remain through 2026, keeping pressure on first-mile and last-mile economics.

How does the chassis shortage affect port dwell times and overall container flow?

Insufficient chassis inventory slows the pickup and discharge cycle at ports. Containers cannot be removed from the terminal efficiently, causing them to dwell longer, which increases storage fees for shippers and reduces port throughput. This backlog cascades into extended dwell times, making inventory less predictable and tying up working capital longer than planned.

What operational changes should supply chain teams implement to reduce dwell and drayage impact?

Teams should prioritize: (1) negotiating pool or dedicated drayage contracts to lock in rates; (2) consolidating shipments to reduce total moves; (3) coordinating with ports for priority pickup windows; (4) using intermodal or rail alternatives where feasible; and (5) partnering with asset-light 3PL providers who manage chassis fleets and negotiate better rates through scale.

Which industries and trade lanes are most affected by these port and drayage challenges?

Retail, automotive, electronics, and general consumer goods sectors face the highest impact due to containerized volume and sensitivity to lead time. Imports from Asia and exports from manufacturing hubs in the Midwest and Southeast are most exposed, given their heavy reliance on drayage networks serving major U.S. ports.

Are there strategic sourcing or supply chain redesign options to mitigate these structural issues?

Yes. Companies should explore: (1) near-shoring to reduce ocean transit and dwell exposure; (2) direct port contracts to bypass spot drayage markets; (3) inland port strategies to redistribute freight flows; and (4) vendor consolidation around ports with better chassis access. Long-term, supply chain teams must factor 15-20% higher drayage costs into landed cost models through 2026.

Shipping & Freight

High Impact

Drayage Costs Rise as Chassis Shortage Extends Port Dwell Times

Jul 9, 2026

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The signal

Port operations continue to face mounting pressure from a confluence of operational inefficiencies that are reshaping last-mile economics across North America. The article examines three interconnected challenges, escalating drayage costs, persistent chassis availability constraints, and extended container dwell times at ports, that are collectively creating a difficult operating environment for supply chain professionals heading into 2026. For supply chain and logistics teams, this convergence demands immediate strategic recalibration.

Rising drayage costs directly compress margins on containerized shipments, particularly for time-sensitive cargo, while chassis shortages introduce unpredictability into pickup and delivery windows. Extended dwell times multiply costs through detention fees, inventory holding, and reduced asset utilization. Companies shipping to or from U.S. ports must reassess their cost models and consider alternative routings, consolidation strategies, or direct port partnerships to mitigate these structural headwinds.

The 2026 outlook suggests these pressures will persist rather than resolve, making proactive operational redesign essential. Organizations should model scenarios around increased transportation spend, evaluate near-shoring strategies, and strengthen relationships with drayage providers and chassis lessors to secure better terms and service reliability.

#containerized-freight

#supply-chain-disruption

#transportation-costs

#port-efficiency

#logistics-2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What This Means for Your Supply Chain

Simulation Suggestion

this month

What if drayage costs increase by 20% and chassis availability tightens further?

Simulate a scenario where drayage rates per TEU rise 20% due to sustained driver shortages and fuel pressure, combined with a further 15% reduction in available chassis inventory. Model the impact on landed costs for imports from Asia and exports from U.S. manufacturing regions. Assess which shipment profiles absorb the cost increase vs. trigger sourcing or routing changes.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

this month

What if port dwell times extend to 10+ days and detention fees double?

Model an extended dwell scenario where container dwell times at major U.S. ports (e.g., Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Houston) increase to 10 days or more due to ongoing chassis and labor constraints. Assume detention and demurrage fees double. Calculate working capital impact, inventory carrying cost increase, and pressure on just-in-time supply chains.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

strategic

What if you shift 30% of container volume to near-shore manufacturing or rail intermodal?

Simulate a strategic shift scenario where 30% of containerized import volume from Asia is redirected to near-shore suppliers or domestic production, and 30% of remaining ocean freight is paired with rail intermodal to inland distribution centers instead of drayage from coastal ports. Model savings in drayage cost, detention fees, and lead time variability. Assess trade-offs in sourcing cost and inventory positioning.

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