Freight Shipping from Lehigh Valley to Memphis
Ship freight from Lehigh Valley, PA to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,470-$3,045, LTL from $832-$1,377. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,149 mi
Drive Time
21 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,470-$3,045
LTL Rate Est.
$832-$1,377
Industrial Freight Lane
Lehigh Valley → Memphis Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
135–152
running this lane
Weekly Loads
82–101
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
64/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$26–$44 one-way passing through PA, TN, KY, VA, OH, IN, IL, MO, SC, NC. 3 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.
Lehigh Valley to Memphis Freight Corridor
The Lehigh Valley has transformed from its steel-era roots into one of the East Coast's premier e-commerce fulfillment corridors. Amazon operates multiple fulfillment centers here, FedEx runs a major ground hub, and over 50 million square feet of warehouse space has been built in the past decade along the I-78 corridor. The valley's position — 90 minutes from both New York City and Philadelphia — makes it the ideal one-day ground shipping point for the entire Northeast megalopolis. Crayola's Easton factory and B. Braun Medical's North American headquarters add manufacturing diversity.
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 Lehigh Valley-to-Memphis corridor spans 1,149 miles via I-78, I-476 (PA Turnpike NE Extension), I-40, I-55. This lane connects e-commerce fulfillment and food processing freight from the Lehigh Valley 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 Lehigh Valley
Lehigh Valley's economy is driven by e-commerce fulfillment, food processing, healthcare, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
e-commerce shipments
processed foods
cement & concrete products
pharmaceutical products
consumer goods
building materials
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Lehigh Valley.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Lehigh Valley 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.
$2,470-$3,045 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.
$3,275-$4,194 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,619-$4,883 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.
$832-$1,377 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Lehigh Valley to Memphis lane (1,149 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,470-$3,045 | 21 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $832-$1,377 | 23-25 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,734-$5,171 | 14 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,551-$2,126 | 24-26 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Lehigh Valley and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon ABE Fulfillment Network (multiple)
FedEx Ground (Hub)
Crayola (Easton)
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Lehigh Valley to Memphis
Lehigh Valley Seasonal Advisory
E-commerce fulfillment peaks dramatically during Q4 holidays (October-December), with Amazon and FedEx running at maximum capacity. Construction-grade cement from local quarries peaks spring through fall. B. Braun medical supply shipments are steady year-round.
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 1,149 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 21 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 Lehigh Valley and Memphis — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Lehigh Valley, PA
- Metro Population
- 870K metro (Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-78, I-476 (PA Turnpike NE Extension), US-22
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Bethlehem Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- Upper Macungie/I-78 West, Bethlehem/I-78 East, Forks Township/US-22
“The Lehigh Valley is arguably the best backhaul market in the Northeast. With so many fulfillment centers concentrated along I-78, carriers delivering inbound inventory can almost always find outbound e-commerce loads heading to distribution points across the eastern seaboard.”
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 Lehigh Valley 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
Lehigh Valley to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Lehigh Valley to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Lehigh Valley, PA to Memphis, TN currently range $2,470-$3,045 (roughly $2.17-$2.67 per mile over 1,149 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $832-$1,377 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 Lehigh Valley to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Lehigh Valley to Memphis is approximately 21 hrs by truck over 1,149 miles, with 3 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 Norfolk Southern Bethlehem Intermodal to BNSF Memphis Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Lehigh Valley to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Lehigh Valley commonly ships e-commerce shipments, processed foods, cement & concrete products, 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 Lehigh Valley?
Moderate backhaul (scored 64/100 based on Memphis's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Memphis to Lehigh Valley 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 Lehigh Valley to Memphis?
The Lehigh Valley-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. Lehigh Valley's top outbound commodities include e-commerce shipments, processed foods, cement & concrete products, pharmaceutical products, consumer goods, building 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 e-commerce fulfillment and food processing from Lehigh Valley and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
What tolls should I expect on the Lehigh Valley to Memphis route?
Expect roughly $26-$44 in tolls round-trip passing through PA, TN, KY, VA, OH, IN, IL, MO, SC, NC. Most rate quotes either include tolls in the line-haul or bill them as a separate pass-through — ask your dispatcher to confirm which model applies to your lane.
When are rates highest on the Lehigh Valley to Memphis lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to e-commerce fulfillment and food processing 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 Lehigh Valley to Memphis
We maintain working relationships with 135+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Lehigh Valley–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