Freight Shipping from Cedar Rapids to Memphis
Ship freight from Cedar Rapids, IA to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,342-$1,654, LTL from $543-$930. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
624 mi
Drive Time
11 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,342-$1,654
LTL Rate Est.
$543-$930
Cedar Rapids to Memphis Freight Corridor
Cedar Rapids is the cereal capital of the world, home to Quaker Oats' largest production facility, multiple ADM and Cargill processing plants, and a constellation of smaller food manufacturers that together process more grain per capita than any other US city. Collins Aerospace's avionics division adds a high-tech freight dimension, shipping flight-critical electronics to aircraft manufacturers worldwide. The Cedar River provides limited barge access, but the vast majority of freight moves by truck on I-380 toward Chicago or Des Moines.
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 Cedar Rapids-to-Memphis corridor spans 624 miles via I-380, US-30, I-40, I-55. This lane connects cereal & grain processing and meat packing freight from the Cedar Rapids 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 Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids's economy is driven by cereal & grain processing, meat packing, agricultural equipment, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
cereal products
corn syrup & starch
processed meats
ethanol
avionics systems
oat products
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Cedar Rapids.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Cedar Rapids 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.
$1,342-$1,654 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.
$1,654-$2,090 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.
$1,778-$2,278 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,966-$2,652 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Cedar Rapids to Memphis lane (624 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,342-$1,654 | 11 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $543-$930 | 13-15 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,028-$2,808 | 8 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Cedar Rapids and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Quaker Oats/PepsiCo (largest cereal plant in world)
Collins Aerospace
ADM (corn processing)
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Cedar Rapids to Memphis
Cedar Rapids Seasonal Advisory
Grain processing is year-round, but harvest season (September-November) creates intense competition for trucks as bulk grain, ethanol, and finished products all peak simultaneously. Cereal shipments spike ahead of back-to-school and holiday periods.
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.
Overnight Transit
This 624-mile route typically requires one overnight stop for a solo driver. Schedule pickup before noon for next-day delivery in most cases.
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.
Cedar Rapids to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Cedar Rapids to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Cedar Rapids, IA to Memphis, TN currently range from $1,342-$1,654 for a standard dry van load over the 624-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $543-$930 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Request a custom quote for exact pricing based on your specific shipment details.
How long does freight take from Cedar Rapids to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Cedar Rapids to Memphis is approximately 11 hrs by truck over 624 miles. 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 Cedar Rapids to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Cedar Rapids commonly ships cereal products, corn syrup & starch, processed meats, 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 Cedar Rapids?
Yes. Memphis is a strong outbound market shipping e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton. Carriers returning from Memphis to Cedar Rapids can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Cedar Rapids-to-Memphis lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Cedar Rapids to Memphis?
The Cedar Rapids-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Cedar Rapids's top outbound commodities include cereal products, corn syrup & starch, processed meats, ethanol, avionics systems, oat 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 cereal & grain processing and meat packing from Cedar Rapids and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
Get Exact Rates for Cedar Rapids to Memphis
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