Freight Shipping from Memphis to Birmingham
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Birmingham, AL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $604-$745, LTL from $355-$639. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
281 mi
Drive Time
5 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$604-$745
LTL Rate Est.
$355-$639
Industrial Freight Lane
Memphis → Birmingham Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
154–169
running this lane
Weekly Loads
193–214
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
73/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$2–$3 one-way passing through TN, AL. 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 Birmingham 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.
Birmingham sits at the crossroads of I-20 and I-65, making it the natural distribution pivot between the Gulf Coast and the upper Southeast. The metro's steel heritage lives on through McWane and U.S. Steel operations that keep flatbed demand consistently high. Mercedes-Benz and Honda assembly plants in Tuscaloosa and Lincoln create a steady diet of JIT automotive freight moving on dedicated lanes to suppliers across the Midwest.
The Memphis-to-Birmingham corridor spans 281 miles via I-40, I-55, I-20, I-65. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to automotive manufacturing and steel production demand in Birmingham. 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 Birmingham Receives
Birmingham's automotive manufacturing, steel production, medical devices sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
raw iron ore
automotive components
consumer electronics
building materials
petroleum products
packaging materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Birmingham, 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.
$604-$745 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.
$801-$1,026 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$885-$1,194 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.
$355-$639 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Birmingham lane (281 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $604-$745 | 5 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $355-$639 | 7-9 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $913-$1,265 | 3 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Birmingham that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International
U.S. Steel
Honda Manufacturing of Alabama
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Birmingham
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.
Birmingham Seasonal Advisory
Steel shipments peak Q1-Q2 as construction season ramps up. Automotive freight dips during the two-week July shutdown at Mercedes and Honda plants.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 281 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 Birmingham — 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
Birmingham, AL
- Metro Population
- 1.1M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.35/mi
- Key Highways
- I-20, I-65, I-59
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Irondale Intermodal; CSX Boyles Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- Irondale/Eastwood, Bessemer/I-20 Corridor
“Flatbed carriers running steel out of Birmingham often deadhead to the Alabama poultry belt around Decatur and Cullman for backhaul reefer loads, creating one of the Southeast's most efficient two-way lane combinations.”
Return Loads from Birmingham
Birmingham generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Memphis is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Birmingham
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 Birmingham Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Birmingham?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Birmingham, AL currently range $604-$745 (roughly $2.16-$2.67 per mile over 281 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $355-$639 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 Memphis to Birmingham?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Birmingham is approximately 5 hrs by truck over 281 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 Birmingham 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. Birmingham commonly receives raw iron ore, automotive components, consumer electronics. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Birmingham to Memphis?
Strong backhaul (scored 73/100 based on Birmingham's outbound commodity mix). Birmingham generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Memphis is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Birmingham's top outbound commodities — steel coils & pipe, automotive parts, medical equipment — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Memphis to Birmingham?
The Memphis-to-Birmingham corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Birmingham's primary inbound freight includes raw iron ore, automotive components, consumer electronics, building materials, petroleum products, packaging materials. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and automotive manufacturing and steel production in Birmingham.
When are rates highest on the Memphis to Birmingham 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.
Can freight from Memphis to Birmingham be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 281 miles (5 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Memphis-to-Birmingham lane in one shift. Same-day delivery requires booking before 9 AM local time at origin and confirming dock availability at destination. Expedited service runs 4 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Birmingham
We maintain working relationships with 154+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Memphis–Birmingham 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