Freight Shipping from Denver to Memphis
Ship freight from Denver, CO to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,453-$3,024, LTL from $828-$1,370. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,141 mi
Drive Time
21 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,453-$3,024
LTL Rate Est.
$828-$1,370
Fresh Food Lane
Denver → Memphis Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
166–187
running this lane
Weekly Loads
227–242
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.65
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
$17–$28 one-way passing through CO, TN, IL, MO, OK, NM. 3 typical fuel stops 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.
Denver to Memphis Freight Corridor
Denver is the Rocky Mountain region's undisputed freight hub and the last major distribution point before the I-70 mountain corridor forces carriers through some of the most challenging terrain in the lower 48. The city's booming population growth has spawned massive warehouse development along the I-76 and E-470 corridors near DIA. Denver's natural foods industry, anchored by WhiteWave, Natural Grocers, and dozens of craft producers, generates high-value reefer freight heading to both coasts.
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 Denver-to-Memphis corridor spans 1,141 miles via I-25, I-70, I-40, I-55. This lane connects aerospace & defense and technology freight from the Denver 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 Denver
Denver's economy is driven by aerospace & defense, technology, natural foods & beverage, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
natural & organic foods
craft beer & spirits
aerospace components
outdoor equipment
meat products
tech hardware
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Denver.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Denver 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.
$2,453-$3,024 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.
$3,024-$3,822 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.
$3,252-$4,165 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,594-$4,849 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Denver to Memphis lane (1,141 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,453-$3,024 | 21 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $828-$1,370 | 23-25 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,708-$5,135 | 14 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,540-$2,111 | 24-26 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Denver and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (4 facilities)
Lockheed Martin (Waterton)
Ball Corporation (HQ)
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Denver to Memphis
Denver Seasonal Advisory
Construction season (April-October) drives flatbed demand for building materials headed to mountain resort communities. Ski season freight (equipment, supplies) peaks September-November as resorts stock up.
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.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,141 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 21 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
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 Denver and Memphis — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Denver, CO
- Metro Population
- 2.9M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.25-$2.60/mi
- Key Highways
- I-25, I-70, I-76
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Irondale Intermodal; UP Denver Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- DIA/Aurora Corridor, Henderson/I-76, Centennial/I-25 South
“Winter chain laws on I-70 west of Denver (Eisenhower Tunnel) regularly shut down truck traffic, sometimes for days. Experienced carriers build 24-48 hours of buffer into westbound Mountain Corridor loads between November and April.”
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 Denver 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
Denver to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Denver to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Denver, CO to Memphis, TN currently range $2,453-$3,024 (roughly $2.16-$2.65 per mile over 1,141 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $828-$1,370 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 Denver to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Denver to Memphis is approximately 21 hrs by truck over 1,141 miles, with 3 typical fuel stops 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 Irondale Intermodal to BNSF Memphis Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Denver to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Denver commonly ships natural & organic foods, craft beer & spirits, aerospace components, 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 Denver?
Strong backhaul (scored 68/100 based on Memphis's outbound commodity mix). Memphis generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Denver 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 Denver to Memphis?
The Denver-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. Denver's top outbound commodities include natural & organic foods, craft beer & spirits, aerospace components, outdoor equipment, meat products, tech hardware. 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 aerospace & defense and technology from Denver and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
When are rates highest on the Denver to Memphis lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to aerospace & defense and technology 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 Denver to Memphis
We maintain working relationships with 166+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Denver–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.
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