Freight Shipping from Houston to Memphis
Ship freight from Houston, TX to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,355-$1,670, LTL from $547-$936. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
630 mi
Drive Time
11 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,355-$1,670
LTL Rate Est.
$547-$936
Houston to Memphis Freight Corridor
Houston is the energy capital of the world, and its freight profile reflects it. The Houston Ship Channel — a 52-mile industrial corridor lined with the highest concentration of refineries and petrochemical plants on Earth — generates massive tanker, flatbed, and hazmat freight volumes. Port Houston ranks first in the U.S. for foreign waterborne tonnage and handles more export cargo than any other American port. The Texas Medical Center, the world's largest, adds a significant layer of pharmaceutical and medical equipment freight.
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 Houston-to-Memphis corridor spans 630 miles via I-10, I-45, I-40, I-55. This lane connects oil & gas and petrochemicals freight from the Houston 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 Houston
Houston's economy is driven by oil & gas, petrochemicals, healthcare (texas medical center), generating consistent outbound freight demand.
refined petroleum
petrochemicals
plastic resins
oilfield equipment
LNG equipment
medical devices
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Houston.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Houston 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.
$1,355-$1,670 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.
$1,796-$2,300 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,985-$2,678 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.
$547-$936 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Houston to Memphis lane (630 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,355-$1,670 | 11 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $547-$936 | 13-15 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,048-$2,835 | 8 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $851-$1,166 | 14-16 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Houston and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Houston to Memphis
Houston Seasonal Advisory
Hurricane season (June-November) is the dominant variable — storms can shut down the Ship Channel and port for days, creating massive freight backlogs and rate spikes. Petrochemical production is year-round but refinery turnarounds in spring and fall temporarily shift freight patterns.
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 630-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.
Houston to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Houston to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Houston, TX to Memphis, TN currently range from $1,355-$1,670 for a standard dry van load over the 630-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $547-$936 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Request a custom quote for exact pricing based on your specific shipment details.
How long does freight take from Houston to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Houston to Memphis is approximately 11 hrs by truck over 630 miles. 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 takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Houston to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Houston commonly ships refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, 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 Houston?
Yes. Memphis is a strong outbound market shipping e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton. Carriers returning from Memphis to Houston can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Houston-to-Memphis lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Houston to Memphis?
The Houston-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Houston's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, oilfield equipment, LNG equipment, medical devices. 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 oil & gas and petrochemicals from Houston and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
Get Exact Rates for Houston to Memphis
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