Freight Shipping from Joliet to Memphis
Ship freight from Joliet, IL to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,266-$1,561, LTL from $524-$901. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
589 mi
Drive Time
11 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,266-$1,561
LTL Rate Est.
$524-$901
Joliet to Memphis Freight Corridor
Joliet and its surrounding Will County communities sit atop the most concentrated intermodal and distribution infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere. The CenterPoint Intermodal Center, spanning over 6,000 acres, combines UP's Global IV facility with over 30 million square feet of distribution space occupied by Walmart, Amazon, IKEA, and dozens of other major shippers. This is where West Coast container imports transition from rail to truck for final-mile delivery across the Midwest and Northeast.
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 Joliet-to-Memphis corridor spans 589 miles via I-55. This lane connects intermodal logistics and warehousing & distribution freight from the Joliet 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 Joliet
Joliet's economy is driven by intermodal logistics, warehousing & distribution, e-commerce fulfillment, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
redistributed consumer goods
intermodal containers
packaged foods
building materials
automotive parts
e-commerce parcels
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Joliet.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Joliet 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.
$1,266-$1,561 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.
$1,679-$2,150 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,855-$2,503 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.
$524-$901 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Joliet to Memphis lane (589 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,266-$1,561 | 11 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $524-$901 | 13-15 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,914-$2,651 | 7 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $795-$1,090 | 14-16 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Joliet and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Walmart (Elwood Mega-DC)
Amazon (CenterPoint)
IKEA Distribution
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Joliet to Memphis
Joliet Seasonal Advisory
Q4 holiday freight creates near-gridlock conditions on I-80 and I-55 as intermodal volume peaks. January sees a dramatic drop-off. Spring produce season restocks create a secondary peak in March-April.
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 589-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.
Joliet to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Joliet to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Joliet, IL to Memphis, TN currently range from $1,266-$1,561 for a standard dry van load over the 589-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $524-$901 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 Joliet to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Joliet to Memphis is approximately 11 hrs by truck over 589 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 Joliet to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Joliet commonly ships redistributed consumer goods, intermodal containers, packaged foods, 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 Joliet?
Yes. Memphis is a strong outbound market shipping e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton. Carriers returning from Memphis to Joliet can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Joliet-to-Memphis lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Joliet to Memphis?
The Joliet-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Joliet's top outbound commodities include redistributed consumer goods, intermodal containers, packaged foods, building materials, automotive parts, e-commerce parcels. 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 intermodal logistics and warehousing & distribution from Joliet and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
Get Exact Rates for Joliet to Memphis
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Joliet to Memphis lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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