Freight Shipping from Fayetteville to Memphis
Ship freight from Fayetteville, AR to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $671-$827, LTL from $372-$665. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
312 mi
Drive Time
6 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$671-$827
LTL Rate Est.
$372-$665
Industrial Freight Lane
Fayetteville → Memphis Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
164–188
running this lane
Weekly Loads
85–98
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
61/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$2–$3 one-way passing through AR, TN. 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.
Fayetteville to Memphis Freight Corridor
Northwest Arkansas is one of America's most remarkable freight ecosystems, anchored by the headquarters of three Fortune 500 companies: Walmart (#1), Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt Transport. Walmart's vendor community brings thousands of consumer products companies to Bentonville, making this relatively small metro one of the most freight-dense in the nation. Tyson's massive poultry processing operations generate enormous reefer volumes, while J.B. Hunt's headquarters campus serves as the nerve center for one of America's largest trucking and intermodal networks.
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 Fayetteville-to-Memphis corridor spans 312 miles via I-49, US-71, I-40, I-55. This lane connects retail (walmart hq) and food processing (tyson hq) freight from the Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville
Fayetteville's economy is driven by retail (walmart hq), food processing (tyson hq), transportation (j.b. hunt hq), generating consistent outbound freight demand.
poultry products
consumer goods
pet food
frozen meals
transportation equipment
university research materials
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Fayetteville.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Fayetteville 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.
$671-$827 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.
$827-$1,045 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.
$889-$1,139 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$983-$1,326 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Fayetteville to Memphis lane (312 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $671-$827 | 6 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $372-$665 | 8-10 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,014-$1,404 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Fayetteville and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Walmart (HQ Bentonville)
Tyson Foods (HQ Springdale)
J.B. Hunt Transport (HQ Lowell)
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Fayetteville to Memphis
Fayetteville Seasonal Advisory
Walmart vendor shipments peak Q3-Q4 as holiday inventory builds. Tyson poultry processing ramps for Thanksgiving and grilling season. University of Arkansas football season creates temporary event freight. Spring buyers' market in Bentonville brings vendor freight surges.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 312 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
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 Fayetteville and Memphis — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Fayetteville, AR
- Metro Population
- 575K metro (Northwest Arkansas)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-49, US-71, US-62
- Rail / Intermodal
- J.B. Hunt Intermodal Hub (Lowell)
- Warehouse Districts
- Springdale/I-49 Corridor, Bentonville/Walmart Vendor Zone, Rogers/Pinnacle Hills
“Walmart vendor compliance freight is a unique market — vendors must deliver to Walmart distribution centers on specific schedules with exact documentation, and penalties for late or non-compliant shipments are severe. Carriers who master Walmart's OTIF (On Time In Full) requirements access a reliable, high-volume freight stream.”
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 Fayetteville 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
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Fayetteville to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Fayetteville to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Fayetteville, AR to Memphis, TN currently range $671-$827 (roughly $2.17-$2.66 per mile over 312 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $372-$665 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced 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 Fayetteville to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Fayetteville to Memphis is approximately 6 hrs by truck over 312 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%.
What equipment do I need for Fayetteville to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Fayetteville commonly ships poultry products, consumer goods, pet food, 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 Fayetteville?
Moderate backhaul (scored 61/100 based on Memphis's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Memphis to Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville to Memphis?
The Fayetteville-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. Fayetteville's top outbound commodities include poultry products, consumer goods, pet food, frozen meals, transportation equipment, university research 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 retail (Walmart HQ) and food processing (Tyson HQ) from Fayetteville and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
When are rates highest on the Fayetteville to Memphis lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to retail (Walmart HQ) and food processing (Tyson HQ) 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.
Can freight from Fayetteville to Memphis be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 312 miles (6 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Fayetteville-to-Memphis lane in one shift. Same-day delivery requires booking before 9 AM local time at origin and confirming dock availability at destination. Expedited service runs 5 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Fayetteville to Memphis
We maintain working relationships with 164+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Fayetteville–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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