Freight Shipping from Chicago to Memphis
Ship freight from Chicago, IL to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,350-$1,664, LTL from $545-$934. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
628 mi
Drive Time
11 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,350-$1,664
LTL Rate Est.
$545-$934
Fresh Food Lane
Chicago → Memphis Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
160–177
running this lane
Weekly Loads
226–238
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
68/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$11–$19 one-way passing through IL, TN, KY, IN, MO. 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.
Chicago to Memphis Freight Corridor
Chicago is the freight capital of North America, full stop. One-third of all US rail freight passes through the metro, and the I-55/I-80 corridor south of the city contains the highest concentration of intermodal facilities and mega-distribution centers in the world. BNSF's Logistics Park Chicago in Elwood alone processes over 2 million container lifts annually. The I-294 corridor warehouses from Bedford Park to Elk Grove Village process more cross-dock volume than any other US metro, making Chicago the pivot point for transcontinental freight in every direction.
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 Chicago-to-Memphis corridor spans 628 miles via I-55. This lane connects logistics & intermodal and food manufacturing freight from the Chicago 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 Chicago
Chicago's economy is driven by logistics & intermodal, food manufacturing, financial services, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
processed foods
steel products
pharmaceuticals
industrial machinery
electronics
printed materials
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Chicago.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Chicago 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.
$1,350-$1,664 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.
$1,664-$2,104 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.
$1,790-$2,292 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,978-$2,669 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Chicago to Memphis lane (628 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,350-$1,664 | 11 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $545-$934 | 13-15 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,041-$2,826 | 8 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $848-$1,162 | 14-16 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Chicago and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (15+ facilities)
Walmart (Elwood mega-DC)
Abbott Laboratories
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Chicago to Memphis
Chicago Seasonal Advisory
Holiday import season (September-December) pushes intermodal yards to capacity. Agricultural export season (October-January) adds grain and soybean volume. January-February is the slowest period, with spot rates often dropping 15-20% below annual averages.
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 628-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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Chicago and Memphis — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Chicago, IL
- Metro Population
- 9.5M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-90, I-94, I-55
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Logistics Park Chicago (Elwood); UP Global IV (Joliet); NS Landers Yard; CSX 59th Street Intermodal; BNSF Corwith Yard; UP Yard Center
- Warehouse Districts
- I-55/Joliet Corridor, I-80/Elwood-Channahon, O'Hare/Elk Grove Village, I-294/Bedford Park
“Chicago's notorious rail congestion means intermodal containers can sit for 3-5 days waiting for a rail slot, a hidden cost that makes truck competitive on lanes up to 1,500 miles. Savvy shippers keep a truck backup option for time-sensitive loads during peak rail congestion in Q4.”
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 Chicago 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
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Chicago to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Chicago to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Chicago, IL to Memphis, TN currently range $1,350-$1,664 (roughly $2.17-$2.68 per mile over 628 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $545-$934 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 Chicago to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Chicago to Memphis is approximately 11 hrs by truck over 628 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service via BNSF Logistics Park Chicago (Elwood) to BNSF Memphis Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Chicago to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Chicago commonly ships processed foods, steel products, pharmaceuticals, 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 Chicago?
Strong backhaul (scored 68/100 based on Memphis's outbound commodity mix). Memphis generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Chicago 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 Chicago to Memphis?
The Chicago-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. Chicago's top outbound commodities include processed foods, steel products, pharmaceuticals, industrial machinery, electronics, printed materials. 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 logistics & intermodal and food manufacturing from Chicago and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
When are rates highest on the Chicago to Memphis lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to logistics & intermodal and food manufacturing cycles. Key periods: 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 (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Chicago to Memphis
We maintain working relationships with 160+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Chicago–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