Freight Shipping from Columbus to Memphis
Ship freight from Columbus, OH to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,423-$1,754, LTL from $564-$963. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
662 mi
Drive Time
12 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,423-$1,754
LTL Rate Est.
$564-$963
Consumer Goods Corridor
Columbus → Memphis Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
162–185
running this lane
Weekly Loads
231–249
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
61/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$12–$19 one-way passing through OH, TN, KY, VA, IN, IL, MO, SC, NC. 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.
Columbus to Memphis Freight Corridor
Columbus is the fastest-growing logistics market in the Midwest, centered on the Rickenbacker Inland Port — a unique combination of intermodal rail terminal, cargo airport, and foreign trade zone that processes over $25 billion in goods annually. The city's location within 600 miles of 60% of the U.S. and Canadian population has attracted 200+ million square feet of warehouse space, with Amazon alone operating 8+ facilities in the metro.
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 Columbus-to-Memphis corridor spans 662 miles via I-70, I-71, I-40, I-55. This lane connects logistics & distribution and insurance & financial services freight from the Columbus 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 Columbus
Columbus's economy is driven by logistics & distribution, insurance & financial services, technology, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
consumer packaged goods
retail merchandise
auto parts
beauty & personal care
processed foods
e-commerce shipments
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Columbus.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Columbus 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.
$1,423-$1,754 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.
$1,887-$2,416 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,085-$2,814 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.
$564-$963 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Columbus to Memphis lane (662 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,423-$1,754 | 12 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $564-$963 | 14-16 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,152-$2,979 | 8 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $894-$1,225 | 15-17 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Columbus and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Bath & Body Works (HQ)
Honda of America (Marysville)
Cardinal Health (HQ)
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Columbus to Memphis
Columbus Seasonal Advisory
Holiday retail distribution drives a massive Q4 peak, with Bath & Body Works, Victoria's Secret, and Amazon operating 24/7 from October through December. Honda's Marysville plant follows standard automotive shutdown cycles in July and December.
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 662-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 Columbus and Memphis — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Columbus, OH
- Metro Population
- 2.1M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-70, I-71, I-270
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Rickenbacker Intermodal; CSX Columbus Terminal
- Warehouse Districts
- Rickenbacker/I-270 South, West Jefferson/I-70 West, Etna/I-70 East
“Rickenbacker Inland Port is one of the few places in America where air, rail, and truck freight converge in a single free trade zone. Carriers who understand the transloading operations here — especially import deconsolidation from containers to regional distribution — access a consistent pipeline of outbound loads.”
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 Columbus requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
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
Columbus to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Columbus to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Columbus, OH to Memphis, TN currently range $1,423-$1,754 (roughly $2.18-$2.68 per mile over 662 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $564-$963 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 Columbus to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Columbus to Memphis is approximately 12 hrs by truck over 662 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 Norfolk Southern Rickenbacker Intermodal to BNSF Memphis Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Columbus to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Columbus commonly ships consumer packaged goods, retail merchandise, auto parts, 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 Columbus?
Moderate backhaul (scored 61/100 based on Memphis's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Memphis to Columbus 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 Columbus to Memphis?
The Columbus-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Columbus's top outbound commodities include consumer packaged goods, retail merchandise, auto parts, beauty & personal care, processed foods, e-commerce shipments. 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 & distribution and insurance & financial services from Columbus and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
When are rates highest on the Columbus to Memphis lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to logistics & distribution and insurance & financial services 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.
Get Exact Rates for Columbus to Memphis
We maintain working relationships with 162+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Columbus–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