The largest and busiest ports in the US

The largest US ports remain the backbone of the country’s containerized trade, connecting importers and exporters to major shipping lanes across Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Based on the latest public 2024 TEU figures, the top US container ports were Port of Los Angeles (10,297,352 TEUs), Port of Long Beach (9,649,724), Port of New York and New Jersey (8,698,526), Port of Savannah (5,545,557), Port Houston (4,464,931), Port of Virginia (3,499,639), Seattle-Tacoma Seaport Alliance (3,340,733), South Carolina Ports (2,497,143), Port of Oakland (2,262,921), and Port of Jacksonville (1,340,412).

For businesses planning international shipments, port choice affects far more than geography. It can change transit times, inland trucking costs, rail access, congestion exposure, and total landed cost. Companies comparing routes into the United States often start with international freight services and then narrow down the best gateway based on destination, cargo type, and timing.

The Top 10 US Ports

1. Port of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles remained the busiest container port in the United States in 2024 with 10.3 million TEUs. Its scale and direct trans-Pacific connectivity make it one of the most important entry points for cargo from Asia, especially for high-volume importers serving Southern California and inland US distribution networks.

2. Port of Long Beach

Long Beach ranked second with 9.65 million TEUs in 2024. Together, Los Angeles and Long Beach form the largest container gateway complex in the country, making Southern California a dominant hub for containerized imports and exports.

3. Port of New York and New Jersey

The Port of New York and New Jersey handled 8.70 million TEUs in 2024, remaining the largest container port on the US East Coast and third nationally. Its location gives direct access to one of the country’s largest consumer markets and a dense warehouse and trucking network across the Northeast.

4. Port of Savannah

Savannah handled 5.55 million TEUs in 2024, reinforcing its role as one of the most important Southeast gateways. Its growth reflects the continued rise of the Southeast as a distribution and population center for import cargo.

5. Port Houston

Port Houston ranked fifth in the 2024 ranking cited by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, while Port Houston’s own 2024 release reported a record 4,139,991 TEUs. The difference appears to reflect a reporting-method mismatch between public sources, but both sources confirm Houston’s position as the largest Gulf Coast container gateway.

6. Port of Virginia

The Port of Virginia processed 3,499,639 TEUs in fiscal 2024, up 2% year over year. Its modern terminals, rail connectivity, and channel investments continue to support its position as one of the country’s top East Coast gateways.

7. Seattle-Tacoma Seaport Alliance

The Seattle-Tacoma Seaport Alliance handled 3,340,733 TEUs in 2024. As the main Pacific Northwest container gateway, it remains important for trans-Pacific trade and inland cargo flows serving the Northwest and parts of the Midwest.

8. South Carolina Ports

South Carolina Ports handled 2,497,143 TEUs in 2024, keeping Charleston among the country’s leading container hubs. The port continues to expand rail and inland connectivity as it grows its role in Southeast logistics.

9. Port of Oakland

Oakland processed 2,262,921 TEUs in 2024, maintaining its place among the top 10 US container ports. It remains an important Northern California gateway and a key export port for agriculture and refrigerated cargo.

10. Port of Jacksonville

The Port of Jacksonville handled 1,340,412 TEUs in fiscal 2024, and JAXPORT reported 1,388,841 TEUs for fiscal 2025. That keeps Jacksonville in the top tier of US container ports, especially as Florida’s distribution and population base continues to expand.

Why These Ports Matter for Shippers

The biggest US ports shape how cargo moves inland after a vessel arrives. West Coast gateways such as Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, and Seattle-Tacoma remain central to Asia-US trade. East Coast ports such as New York and New Jersey, Savannah, Virginia, and Charleston have strengthened their role as importers diversify routings and spread risk across multiple gateways. Houston stands out on the Gulf Coast because of its industrial base, petrochemical trade, and growing consumer market. This is an operational inference based on the rankings and each port’s current throughput and positioning.

For companies shipping into the United States, port selection can change:

• total transit time
• drayage and inland trucking cost
• rail availability
• congestion risk
• delivery reliability
• final landed cost

That is why many businesses pair gateway research with tools like the Transit Time Calculator before booking, especially when comparing East Coast, West Coast, and Gulf Coast options.

East Coast vs West Coast vs Gulf Coast Ports

West Coast ports still dominate the top of the ranking, with Los Angeles and Long Beach alone handling nearly 20 million TEUs in 2024. East Coast ports, however, continue to hold a large share of US container trade through New York and New Jersey, Savannah, Virginia, and South Carolina Ports. Gulf Coast container traffic remains far smaller overall, but Houston continues to lead that region and reported record box volumes in 2024.

For many importers, the best port is not simply the largest one. The right choice depends on cargo origin, final delivery point, product type, and service priorities. Businesses comparing routes into major US consumption and distribution centers can also use the Freight Cost Calculator to estimate how port choice may affect the total shipment budget.

Why Port Choice Changes Shipping Strategy

A company bringing retail goods from East Asia may prefer Southern California because of frequency and scale, while another importing goods for Southeast or Midwest distribution may find Savannah, Charleston, or Virginia more practical. Cargo moving to the Northeast may favor New York and New Jersey, and freight tied to Texas or Gulf markets may align better with Houston. Those decisions are not only about ocean transit. They also affect inland transport, terminal handling, and delivery timing. This is a practical inference from the port ranking data and each gateway’s regional role.

Companies moving containers through the country’s largest gateways also need the right paperwork, especially when routing through different terminals and customs environments, so it is natural to review shipping documents as part of pre-shipment planning.

Final Thoughts

The top US ports continue to define how containerized cargo enters and leaves the country. Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York and New Jersey, Savannah, and Houston remain the leading gateways by volume, while Virginia, Seattle-Tacoma, South Carolina Ports, Oakland, and Jacksonville continue to play major roles in regional and national supply chains. For importers and exporters, understanding these ports helps build a smarter freight strategy around route selection, timing, and total cost.

References

• Port of New York and New Jersey: Port at a Glance 2024
• Port Houston Record-Breaking Volume in 2024
• Port of Virginia FY 2024 Cargo Volume Update
• JAXPORT Financial Reports
• South Carolina Ports 2024 Annual Report