Freight Shipping from Greenville to Memphis
Ship freight from Greenville, SC to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,213-$1,495, LTL from $510-$879. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
564 mi
Drive Time
10 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,213-$1,495
LTL Rate Est.
$510-$879
Auto Manufacturing Corridor
Greenville → Memphis Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
163–187
running this lane
Weekly Loads
84–96
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
68/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$4–$7 one-way passing through SC, 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.
Greenville to Memphis Freight Corridor
Greenville-Spartanburg is the automotive manufacturing engine of the Southeast, centered on BMW's massive Greer plant — the largest BMW factory in the world, producing 1,500+ vehicles per day. Michelin North America's headquarters and multiple tire plants create heavy flatbed and van demand, while GE's gas turbine manufacturing campus generates some of the largest and heaviest oversize loads in the region. The SC Ports Inland Port in Greer extends Charleston's port reach 212 miles inland via Norfolk Southern rail.
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 Greenville-to-Memphis corridor spans 564 miles via I-85, I-385, I-40, I-55. This lane connects automotive manufacturing and advanced manufacturing freight from the Greenville 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 Greenville
Greenville's economy is driven by automotive manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
BMW vehicles & parts
tires (Michelin)
gas turbines (GE)
automotive components
engineered plastics
textile products
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Greenville.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Greenville 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.
$1,213-$1,495 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.
$1,607-$2,059 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,777-$2,397 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.
$510-$879 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Greenville to Memphis lane (564 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,213-$1,495 | 10 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $510-$879 | 12-14 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,833-$2,538 | 7 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $761-$1,043 | 13-15 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Greenville and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
BMW Manufacturing (Greer)
Michelin North America (HQ)
GE Gas Power (Greenville)
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Greenville to Memphis
Greenville Seasonal Advisory
BMW production runs year-round with July and December two-week shutdowns that temporarily reduce automotive freight volume. Tire shipments peak ahead of spring (March-April) and fall (September-October) tire-change seasons.
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 564-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 Greenville and Memphis — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Greenville, SC
- Metro Population
- 930K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-85, I-385, US-25
- Rail / Intermodal
- SC Ports Inland Port Greer; Norfolk Southern Greer Terminal
- Warehouse Districts
- Greer/I-85 BMW Corridor, Mauldin/I-385 South, Piedmont/I-85 West
“The BMW supply chain in Greer operates on strict JIT schedules — carriers who earn preferred status with tier-one suppliers access dedicated lanes with premium rates. The inland port rail connection means containers can clear customs in Greer rather than congested Charleston docks.”
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 Greenville 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
Greenville to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Greenville to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Greenville, SC to Memphis, TN currently range $1,213-$1,495 (roughly $2.16-$2.65 per mile over 564 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $510-$879 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 Greenville to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Greenville to Memphis is approximately 10 hrs by truck over 564 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 SC Ports Inland Port Greer to BNSF Memphis Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Greenville to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Greenville commonly ships BMW vehicles & parts, tires (Michelin), gas turbines (GE), 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 Greenville?
Strong backhaul (scored 68/100 based on Memphis's outbound commodity mix). Memphis generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Greenville 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 Greenville to Memphis?
The Greenville-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Auto Manufacturing Corridor. Greenville's top outbound commodities include BMW vehicles & parts, tires (Michelin), gas turbines (GE), automotive components, engineered plastics, textile products. 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 advanced manufacturing from Greenville and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
When are rates highest on the Greenville to Memphis lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to automotive manufacturing and advanced manufacturing 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 Greenville to Memphis
We maintain working relationships with 163+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Greenville–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