Freight Shipping from Bakersfield to Memphis
Ship freight from Bakersfield, CA to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,552-$5,610, LTL from $1,364-$2,199. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,117 mi
Drive Time
38 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,552-$5,610
LTL Rate Est.
$1,364-$2,199
Consumer Goods Corridor
Bakersfield → Memphis Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
70–95
running this lane
Weekly Loads
87–104
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
63/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$24–$40 one-way passing through CA, TN, OK, NM. 5 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Mon, Tue, Wed. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Bakersfield to Memphis Freight Corridor
Bakersfield is where California's two biggest freight industries — oil and agriculture — collide. Kern County is the state's top oil-producing county and its most productive agricultural county, creating a unique dual freight market. Grimmway Farms and Bolthouse Farms ship more carrots from here than anywhere else on Earth, while Chevron's Kern River oilfield operations generate tanker and flatbed freight year-round. The Tejon Commerce Center near the Grapevine (I-5/SR-99 junction) has emerged as a major distribution hub serving both LA and the Central Valley.
Memphis is America's logistics capital, defined by FedEx's global SuperHub at Memphis International Airport — the world's busiest cargo airport. Every FedEx Express package in the Western Hemisphere passes through this facility, creating a 24/7 ground freight ecosystem of pickups, deliveries, and linehaul moves that sustains thousands of carriers. The Mississippi River port adds barge freight, and the city's five Class I railroad connections make it the most rail-served city in the nation.
The Bakersfield-to-Memphis corridor spans 2,117 miles via SR-99, SR-58, I-40, I-55. This lane connects oil & gas and agriculture freight from the Bakersfield market to logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices demand in Memphis. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Bakersfield
Bakersfield's economy is driven by oil & gas, agriculture, logistics & distribution, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
crude oil
grapes & table fruit
carrots & vegetables
almonds & pistachios
cotton
dairy products
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Bakersfield.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Bakersfield and Memphis, these equipment types best serve this corridor.
Dry Van (FTL)
Ideal for palletized consumer goods, electronics, packaged foods, and general merchandise. Enclosed protection from weather and theft.
$4,552-$5,610 estimated for this lane
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Required for temperature-sensitive freight including fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Maintains precise temperature control throughout transit.
$5,610-$7,092 estimated for this lane
Flatbed
Best for steel, lumber, machinery, building materials, and oversized loads that cannot be palletized or loaded through standard dock doors.
$6,033-$7,727 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$6,669-$8,997 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Bakersfield to Memphis lane (2,117 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,552-$5,610 | 38 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,364-$2,199 | 40-42 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $6,880-$9,527 | 26 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,858-$3,916 | 41-43 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Bakersfield and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Chevron (Kern River oilfields)
Grimmway Farms (world's largest carrot grower)
Bolthouse Farms
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Bakersfield to Memphis
Bakersfield Seasonal Advisory
Grape harvest (August-October) is the biggest produce freight event. Carrot and vegetable shipments run nearly year-round. Oil production is steady but drilling activity varies with crude prices. Solar farm construction in the Mojave (spring-fall) creates heavy haul opportunities.
Memphis Seasonal Advisory
FedEx's holiday peak season (November-January) transforms Memphis into a frenzy of carrier demand. Cotton harvest (October-December) drives outbound agricultural volume. The Mississippi River's water levels affect barge operations — low water in late summer can shift freight to trucks, spiking rates.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,117 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 38 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
Book Early for Best Rates
Spot market rates fluctuate daily. Booking 3-5 days in advance typically saves 10-15% compared to same-day or next-day freight requests. For recurring shipments, ask about contract rates.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Bakersfield and Memphis — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Bakersfield, CA
- Metro Population
- 910K metro (Kern County)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- SR-99, SR-58, I-5 (nearby via SR-99)
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Bakersfield Yard; Union Pacific Bakersfield Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- Tejon Commerce Center/SR-58 East, South Bakersfield/SR-99, Shafter/Lerdo Highway
“The Grapevine on I-5 south of Bakersfield is one of the most dreaded mountain passes for truckers, but it also creates opportunity — loads that need to cross the Grapevine to/from LA command premium rates due to fuel costs and time. Carriers based in Bakersfield who know the pass conditions have a natural advantage.”
Destination
Memphis, TN
- Metro Population
- 1.3M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.00-$2.35/mi
- Key Highways
- I-40, I-55, I-240
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Memphis Intermodal; Norfolk Southern Memphis Terminal; Union Pacific Memphis Yard
- Port Access
- Port of Memphis (Mississippi River, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Memphis Airport/FedEx SuperHub, Olive Branch, MS/I-269, West Memphis, AR/I-40
“Memphis's FedEx effect means the city never sleeps logistically. Ground carriers who align their schedules with FedEx's overnight sort — picking up e-commerce freight in the evening and delivering before dawn — can access premium expedited rates that standard daytime carriers miss entirely.”
Return Loads from Memphis
Backhaul from Memphis to Bakersfield requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Memphis
Seasonal Rate Patterns
May-Aug (produce season)
+12-18% on reefer capacity
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Bakersfield to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Bakersfield to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Bakersfield, CA to Memphis, TN currently range $4,552-$5,610 (roughly $2.16-$2.67 per mile over 2,117 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,364-$2,199 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently tight on this corridor, so booking 3-5 days out locks in the best pricing. Request a custom quote for exact rates.
How long does freight take from Bakersfield to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Bakersfield to Memphis is approximately 38 hrs by truck over 2,117 miles, with 5 typical fuel stops along the corridor. LTL shipments add 2-4 business days due to terminal transfers. Expedited service with team drivers can reduce FTL transit by up to 40%. Intermodal rail-truck service via BNSF Bakersfield Yard to BNSF Memphis Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Bakersfield to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Bakersfield commonly ships crude oil, grapes & table fruit, carrots & vegetables, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Memphis commonly receives e-commerce packages (FedEx), consumer goods, raw cotton. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Memphis to Bakersfield?
Moderate backhaul (scored 63/100 based on Memphis's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Memphis to Bakersfield requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Memphis's top outbound commodities — e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Bakersfield to Memphis?
The Bakersfield-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Bakersfield's top outbound commodities include crude oil, grapes & table fruit, carrots & vegetables, almonds & pistachios, cotton, dairy products. Memphis's primary inbound freight includes e-commerce packages (FedEx), consumer goods, raw cotton, steel & metals, petroleum products, agricultural inputs. Industries driving this lane include oil & gas and agriculture from Bakersfield and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
When are rates highest on the Bakersfield to Memphis lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to oil & gas and agriculture cycles. Key periods: May-Aug (produce season) (+12-18% on reefer capacity); Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Mon, Tue, Wed) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Should I use team drivers for the Bakersfield to Memphis lane?
At 2,117 miles, this route exceeds a solo driver's hours-of-service limits and requires at least one 10-hour break, adding roughly 14-18 hours to transit. Team drivers typically deliver in 23-27 hours — nearly half the solo transit — at a 20-35% rate premium. For time-critical freight over 1,200 miles, teams generally pay for themselves.
Get Exact Rates for Bakersfield to Memphis
We maintain working relationships with 70+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Bakersfield–Memphis corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts