Freight Shipping from Detroit to Memphis
Ship freight from Detroit, MI to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,742-$2,147, LTL from $646-$1,089. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
810 mi
Drive Time
15 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,742-$2,147
LTL Rate Est.
$646-$1,089
Industrial Freight Lane
Detroit → Memphis Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
158–173
running this lane
Weekly Loads
232–249
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
70/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$14–$23 one-way passing through MI, TN, KY, VA, OH, IN, IL, MO, SC, NC. 2 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.
Detroit to Memphis Freight Corridor
Detroit remains the undisputed capital of North American automotive freight. The Big Three automakers and hundreds of tier-1 suppliers generate an enormous volume of JIT parts shipments crisscrossing the Ambassador Bridge to Canadian assembly plants daily. The EV transition is reshaping freight flows, with massive battery plants from GM (Ultium) and Ford drawing new inbound raw materials from lithium and nickel sources.
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 Detroit-to-Memphis corridor spans 810 miles via I-75, I-94, I-40, I-55. This lane connects automotive manufacturing and autonomous vehicle tech freight from the Detroit 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 Detroit
Detroit's economy is driven by automotive manufacturing, autonomous vehicle tech, steel processing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
finished vehicles
automotive parts & assemblies
steel coils
engines & transmissions
EV batteries
machine tools
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Detroit.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Detroit 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.
$1,742-$2,147 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.
$2,309-$2,957 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,552-$3,443 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.
$646-$1,089 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Detroit to Memphis lane (810 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,742-$2,147 | 15 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $646-$1,089 | 17-19 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,633-$3,645 | 10 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,094-$1,499 | 18-20 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Detroit and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
General Motors
Ford Motor Company
Stellantis (Chrysler)
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Detroit to Memphis
Detroit Seasonal Advisory
Automotive production follows a predictable cycle with two-week shutdowns in July and late December. Model changeover periods (August-September) create surge demand for tooling and equipment freight as assembly lines are retooled.
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 810-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 Detroit and Memphis — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Detroit, MI
- Metro Population
- 4.3M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.20-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-75, I-94, I-96
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Detroit Intermodal; CSX Livernois Junction
- Port Access
- Ambassador Bridge & Detroit-Windsor Tunnel (Canada border, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Romulus/I-94 Airport Corridor, Warren/Sterling Heights, Woodhaven/Downriver
“The Ambassador Bridge and the new Gordie Howe International Bridge handle over 8,000 trucks daily, making the Detroit-Windsor corridor the busiest commercial land crossing in North America. FAST card-holding drivers command premium rates for cross-border automotive lanes.”
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 Detroit 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
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Detroit to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Detroit to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Detroit, MI to Memphis, TN currently range $1,742-$2,147 (roughly $2.16-$2.65 per mile over 810 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $646-$1,089 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 Detroit to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Detroit to Memphis is approximately 15 hrs by truck over 810 miles, with 2 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 Norfolk Southern Detroit Intermodal to BNSF Memphis Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Detroit to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Detroit commonly ships finished vehicles, automotive parts & assemblies, steel coils, 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 Detroit?
Strong backhaul (scored 70/100 based on Memphis's outbound commodity mix). Memphis generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Detroit 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 Detroit to Memphis?
The Detroit-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. Detroit's top outbound commodities include finished vehicles, automotive parts & assemblies, steel coils, engines & transmissions, EV batteries, machine tools. 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 automotive manufacturing and autonomous vehicle tech from Detroit and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
When are rates highest on the Detroit to Memphis lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to automotive manufacturing and autonomous vehicle tech 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 Detroit to Memphis
We maintain working relationships with 158+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Detroit–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