Freight Shipping from Memphis to Atlanta
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Atlanta, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $942-$1,161, LTL from $441-$772. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
438 mi
Drive Time
8 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$942-$1,161
LTL Rate Est.
$441-$772
Consumer Goods Corridor
Memphis → Atlanta Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
196–218
running this lane
Weekly Loads
234–246
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
68/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$3–$4 one-way passing through TN, GA. 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.
Memphis to Atlanta Freight Corridor
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.
Atlanta is the freight crossroads of the Southeast and arguably the most balanced truck market in the country. The convergence of I-75, I-85, and I-20 creates a natural hub where carriers can find loads heading in virtually any direction within hours. UPS and The Home Depot both headquarter their logistics operations here, contributing to a freight ecosystem so dense that the metro has more warehouse space than most states. Norfolk Southern and CSX both maintain major intermodal operations, making Atlanta the rail freight capital of the Southeast.
The Memphis-to-Atlanta corridor spans 438 miles via I-40, I-55, I-75, I-85. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to logistics & distribution and film & entertainment demand in Atlanta. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Memphis
Memphis's economy is driven by logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
medical devices
cotton
lumber
processed foods
automotive parts
What Atlanta Receives
Atlanta's logistics & distribution, film & entertainment, financial technology sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
consumer goods
construction materials
automotive parts
electronics
food ingredients
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Atlanta, 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.
$942-$1,161 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.
$1,248-$1,599 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.
$441-$772 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Atlanta lane (438 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $942-$1,161 | 8 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $441-$772 | 10-12 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,424-$1,971 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Atlanta that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
The Home Depot (HQ)
UPS (HQ)
Coca-Cola (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Atlanta
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.
Atlanta Seasonal Advisory
Home improvement freight (Home Depot's supply chain) peaks March through June. Carpet shipments from the Dalton mills 90 miles north run heaviest in spring and fall. Coca-Cola distribution spikes ahead of summer and holiday seasons.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 438 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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Memphis and Atlanta — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
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.”
Destination
Atlanta, GA
- Metro Population
- 6.1M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.20-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-75, I-85, I-20
- Rail / Intermodal
- NS Inman Yard; CSX Fairburn Intermodal; NS Austell Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- South Atlanta/I-75 (McDonough/Locust Grove), West Atlanta/I-20 (Douglasville/Lithia Springs), Northeast/I-85 (Braselton/Jefferson)
“Atlanta's I-285 perimeter loop is the single most important freight route in the Southeast. Carriers who understand the clockwise vs. counterclockwise traffic patterns and time their crosstown runs to avoid the I-285/I-85 Spaghetti Junction can save 45-90 minutes per delivery.”
Return Loads from Atlanta
Atlanta generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Memphis is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Atlanta
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
Memphis to Atlanta Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Atlanta?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Atlanta, GA currently range $942-$1,161 (roughly $2.17-$2.66 per mile over 438 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $441-$772 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently tight 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 Memphis to Atlanta?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Atlanta is approximately 8 hrs by truck over 438 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%.
What equipment do I need for Memphis to Atlanta freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Memphis commonly ships e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Atlanta commonly receives consumer goods, construction materials, automotive parts. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Atlanta to Memphis?
Strong backhaul (scored 68/100 based on Atlanta's outbound commodity mix). Atlanta generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Memphis is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Atlanta's top outbound commodities — automobiles (Kia), poultry products, soft drinks & beverages — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Memphis to Atlanta?
The Memphis-to-Atlanta corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Atlanta's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, construction materials, automotive parts, electronics, food ingredients, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and logistics & distribution and film & entertainment in Atlanta.
When are rates highest on the Memphis to Atlanta lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices 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 Memphis to Atlanta
We maintain working relationships with 196+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Memphis–Atlanta corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
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