Freight Shipping from Little Rock to Memphis
Ship freight from Little Rock, AR to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $363-$448, LTL from $293-$544. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
169 mi
Drive Time
3 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$363-$448
LTL Rate Est.
$293-$544
Little Rock to Memphis Freight Corridor
Little Rock benefits from its central US location at the junction of I-40 and I-30, putting it within a day's drive of Dallas, Memphis, Kansas City, and St. Louis. The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System connects the metro to inland barge traffic, creating intermodal opportunities for bulk shippers. The North Little Rock rail yards are among the busiest in the mid-South, with UP and BNSF both running major classification operations.
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 Little Rock-to-Memphis corridor spans 169 miles via I-40. This lane connects food processing and steel manufacturing freight from the Little Rock 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 Little Rock
Little Rock's economy is driven by food processing, steel manufacturing, defense, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
processed poultry
steel products
rice & grains
paper & tissue products
military equipment
packaged foods
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Little Rock.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Little Rock 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.
$363-$448 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.
$448-$566 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.
$482-$617 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$532-$718 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Little Rock to Memphis lane (169 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $363-$448 | 3 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $293-$544 | 5-7 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $549-$761 | 2 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Little Rock and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Dillard's (HQ)
Welspun Tubular
L'Oreal Manufacturing
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Little Rock to Memphis
Little Rock Seasonal Advisory
Rice harvest (August-October) drives bulk and hopper trailer demand. Post-Thanksgiving through Christmas, Dillard's distribution network creates retail surge freight on lanes to the Southeast and Midwest.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 169 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
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.
Little Rock to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Little Rock to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Little Rock, AR to Memphis, TN currently range from $363-$448 for a standard dry van load over the 169-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $293-$544 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 Little Rock to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Little Rock to Memphis is approximately 3 hrs by truck over 169 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%.
What equipment do I need for Little Rock to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Little Rock commonly ships processed poultry, steel products, rice & grains, 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 Little Rock?
Yes. Memphis is a strong outbound market shipping e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton. Carriers returning from Memphis to Little Rock can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Little Rock-to-Memphis lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Little Rock to Memphis?
The Little Rock-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Little Rock's top outbound commodities include processed poultry, steel products, rice & grains, paper & tissue products, military equipment, packaged foods. 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 food processing and steel manufacturing from Little Rock and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
Get Exact Rates for Little Rock to Memphis
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Little Rock to Memphis lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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