Freight Shipping from Fort Lauderdale to Memphis
Ship freight from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,395-$2,952, LTL from $813-$1,347. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,114 mi
Drive Time
20 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,395-$2,952
LTL Rate Est.
$813-$1,347
Fresh Food Lane
Fort Lauderdale → Memphis Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
127–143
running this lane
Weekly Loads
194–207
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$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
$12–$20 one-way passing through FL, TN, GA, 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.
Fort Lauderdale to Memphis Freight Corridor
Fort Lauderdale is the yachting capital of the world, and that maritime heritage shapes its freight economy. Port Everglades is one of the busiest cruise ports globally (4 million+ passengers annually), generating enormous provisioning freight. The I-595 corridor connects the port to the Florida Turnpike, creating a vital east-west freight artery. The city's aviation MRO cluster at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International repairs and overhauls aircraft for carriers worldwide, producing specialized heavy-freight shipments of engines and landing gear.
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 Fort Lauderdale-to-Memphis corridor spans 1,114 miles via I-95, I-595, I-40, I-55. This lane connects marine industry and aviation mro freight from the Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale's economy is driven by marine industry, aviation mro, tourism, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
yachts & marine vessels
aircraft parts (MRO)
cruise ship supplies
electronics
marine equipment
seafood
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Fort Lauderdale.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Fort Lauderdale 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.
$2,395-$2,952 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.
$2,952-$3,732 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.
$3,175-$4,066 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,509-$4,735 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Fort Lauderdale to Memphis lane (1,114 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,395-$2,952 | 20 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $813-$1,347 | 22-24 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,621-$5,013 | 14 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,504-$2,061 | 23-25 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Fort Lauderdale and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Spirit Airlines (HQ)
AutoNation (HQ)
Citrix Systems
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Fort Lauderdale to Memphis
Fort Lauderdale Seasonal Advisory
Cruise season peaks November through April, driving provisioning freight. The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (October) creates a temporary but massive surge in oversize yacht transport and marine equipment shipping.
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 1,114 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 20 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 Fort Lauderdale and Memphis — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Metro Population
- 2.0M metro (Broward County)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.40-$2.75/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95, I-595, Florida Turnpike
- Rail / Intermodal
- FEC Fort Lauderdale Terminal
- Port Access
- Port Everglades (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Dania Beach/I-595, Pompano Beach/I-95, Sunrise/Sawgrass
“Cruise ship provisioning at Port Everglades follows a rigid weekly schedule tied to departure days. A single large cruise vessel requires 10-15 truckloads of food, beverages, and supplies, all delivered within a 6-hour window before sailing. Late deliveries mean the ship sails without the goods.”
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 Fort Lauderdale 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
Fort Lauderdale to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Fort Lauderdale to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Memphis, TN currently range $2,395-$2,952 (roughly $2.16-$2.66 per mile over 1,114 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $813-$1,347 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 Fort Lauderdale to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Fort Lauderdale to Memphis is approximately 20 hrs by truck over 1,114 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 FEC Fort Lauderdale Terminal to BNSF Memphis Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Fort Lauderdale to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Fort Lauderdale commonly ships yachts & marine vessels, aircraft parts (MRO), cruise ship supplies, 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 Fort Lauderdale?
Moderate backhaul (scored 61/100 based on Memphis's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Memphis to Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale to Memphis?
The Fort Lauderdale-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. Fort Lauderdale's top outbound commodities include yachts & marine vessels, aircraft parts (MRO), cruise ship supplies, electronics, marine equipment, seafood. 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 marine industry and aviation MRO from Fort Lauderdale and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
When are rates highest on the Fort Lauderdale to Memphis lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to marine industry and aviation MRO 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 Fort Lauderdale to Memphis
We maintain working relationships with 127+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Fort Lauderdale–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