Freight Shipping from Birmingham to Memphis
Ship freight from Birmingham, AL to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $604-$745, LTL from $355-$639. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
281 mi
Drive Time
5 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$604-$745
LTL Rate Est.
$355-$639
Consumer Goods Corridor
Birmingham → Memphis Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
158–178
running this lane
Weekly Loads
192–213
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
69/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$2–$3 one-way passing through AL, TN. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Birmingham to Memphis Freight Corridor
Birmingham sits at the crossroads of I-20 and I-65, making it the natural distribution pivot between the Gulf Coast and the upper Southeast. The metro's steel heritage lives on through McWane and U.S. Steel operations that keep flatbed demand consistently high. Mercedes-Benz and Honda assembly plants in Tuscaloosa and Lincoln create a steady diet of JIT automotive freight moving on dedicated lanes to suppliers across the Midwest.
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 Birmingham-to-Memphis corridor spans 281 miles via I-20, I-65, I-40, I-55. This lane connects automotive manufacturing and steel production freight from the Birmingham 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 Birmingham
Birmingham's economy is driven by automotive manufacturing, steel production, medical devices, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
steel coils & pipe
automotive parts
medical equipment
coal & coke
poultry products
cast iron fittings
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Birmingham.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Birmingham 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.
$604-$745 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.
$745-$941 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.
$801-$1,026 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$885-$1,194 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Birmingham to Memphis lane (281 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $604-$745 | 5 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $355-$639 | 7-9 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $913-$1,265 | 3 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Birmingham and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International
U.S. Steel
Honda Manufacturing of Alabama
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Birmingham to Memphis
Birmingham Seasonal Advisory
Steel shipments peak Q1-Q2 as construction season ramps up. Automotive freight dips during the two-week July shutdown at Mercedes and Honda plants.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 281 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
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 Birmingham and Memphis — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Birmingham, AL
- Metro Population
- 1.1M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.35/mi
- Key Highways
- I-20, I-65, I-59
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Irondale Intermodal; CSX Boyles Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- Irondale/Eastwood, Bessemer/I-20 Corridor
“Flatbed carriers running steel out of Birmingham often deadhead to the Alabama poultry belt around Decatur and Cullman for backhaul reefer loads, creating one of the Southeast's most efficient two-way lane combinations.”
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
Memphis generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Birmingham is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Memphis
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Birmingham to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Birmingham to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Birmingham, AL to Memphis, TN currently range $604-$745 (roughly $2.15-$2.66 per mile over 281 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $355-$639 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced 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 Birmingham to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Birmingham to Memphis is approximately 5 hrs by truck over 281 miles, with 1 typical fuel stop 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%.
What equipment do I need for Birmingham to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Birmingham commonly ships steel coils & pipe, automotive parts, medical equipment, 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 Birmingham?
Strong backhaul (scored 69/100 based on Memphis's outbound commodity mix). Memphis generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Birmingham is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. 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 Birmingham to Memphis?
The Birmingham-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Birmingham's top outbound commodities include steel coils & pipe, automotive parts, medical equipment, coal & coke, poultry products, cast iron fittings. 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 automotive manufacturing and steel production from Birmingham and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
When are rates highest on the Birmingham to Memphis lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to automotive manufacturing and steel production cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Can freight from Birmingham to Memphis be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 281 miles (5 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Birmingham-to-Memphis lane in one shift. Same-day delivery requires booking before 9 AM local time at origin and confirming dock availability at destination. Expedited service runs 4 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Birmingham to Memphis
We maintain working relationships with 158+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Birmingham–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