Freight Shipping from Cleveland to Memphis
Ship freight from Cleveland, OH to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,761-$2,170, LTL from $650-$1,096. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
819 mi
Drive Time
15 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,761-$2,170
LTL Rate Est.
$650-$1,096
Cleveland to Memphis Freight Corridor
Cleveland remains the industrial heart of the Great Lakes manufacturing belt, anchored by Sherwin-Williams' new global headquarters and Cleveland-Cliffs' integrated steel operations. The Port of Cleveland connects to global markets via the St. Lawrence Seaway, handling iron ore, steel, and heavy-lift project cargo. The I-90/I-77 junction gives carriers efficient access to the entire Midwest and Northeast.
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 Cleveland-to-Memphis corridor spans 819 miles via I-90, I-77, I-40, I-55. This lane connects steel & metals and automotive parts freight from the Cleveland 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 Cleveland
Cleveland's economy is driven by steel & metals, automotive parts, healthcare & biomedical, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
steel products
automotive stampings
industrial chemicals
paint & coatings (Sherwin-Williams)
medical devices
polymer products
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Cleveland.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Cleveland 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.
$1,761-$2,170 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.
$2,334-$2,989 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,580-$3,481 estimated for this lane
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
Cost-effective for shipments under 10,000 lbs or fewer than 10 pallets. Shared trailer space with other shippers reduces cost for smaller loads.
$650-$1,096 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Cleveland to Memphis lane (819 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,761-$2,170 | 15 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $650-$1,096 | 17-19 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,662-$3,686 | 10 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,106-$1,515 | 18-20 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Cleveland and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Sherwin-Williams (HQ)
Cleveland-Cliffs (HQ)
Lincoln Electric
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Cleveland to Memphis
Cleveland Seasonal Advisory
Steel production runs year-round but construction season (April-October) drives the strongest demand for outbound coil and plate loads. Great Lakes shipping season (April-January) determines iron ore import volumes at the port.
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 819-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.
Cleveland to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Cleveland to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Cleveland, OH to Memphis, TN currently range from $1,761-$2,170 for a standard dry van load over the 819-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $650-$1,096 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 Cleveland to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Cleveland to Memphis is approximately 15 hrs by truck over 819 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Cleveland to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Cleveland commonly ships steel products, automotive stampings, industrial chemicals, 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 Cleveland?
Yes. Memphis is a strong outbound market shipping e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton. Carriers returning from Memphis to Cleveland can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Cleveland-to-Memphis lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Cleveland to Memphis?
The Cleveland-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Cleveland's top outbound commodities include steel products, automotive stampings, industrial chemicals, paint & coatings (Sherwin-Williams), medical devices, polymer 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 steel & metals and automotive parts from Cleveland and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
Get Exact Rates for Cleveland to Memphis
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