If you're running drayage out of Los Angeles this quarter, you already know the pain. Gate wait times are averaging 6–8 hours, chassis availability is stretched thin, and splits are eating into margins faster than fuel costs. Conditions are tough, but freight is still moving — and knowing how to position yourself makes all the difference.

On rates, short-haul port work is holding steady at $450–$600, but anything below $250 under market rate is a non-starter for reliable carriers. Don't leave money on the table chasing volume at unsustainable rates. Meanwhile, over in Savannah, diesel is averaging $5.67 per gallon, and the $2.85 per mile rate gets eroded fast once you factor in deadhead returns, chassis fees, and fuel surcharges.

Here's where freight brokers earn their keep. Brokers using automated gate-in/gate-out timestamp tracking are cutting through detention disputes before they become unpaid hours. That's real operational value — not just load matching.

Key moves for Q2:

• Account for chassis split time before accepting flat-rate drayage loads
• Partner with brokers offering automated timestamp systems to protect detention pay
• Watch Savannah fuel costs closely — at $5.67/gallon, surcharge negotiations matter
• Brace for volume shifts — market expected to remain flat until Q2 uptick

The port lanes aren't forgiving right now, but carriers who plan around chassis availability and leverage broker technology are keeping wheels turning and dollars flowing.