Freight Shipping from Memphis to Charleston
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Charleston, SC with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,683-$2,075, LTL from $631-$1,066. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
783 mi
Drive Time
14 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,683-$2,075
LTL Rate Est.
$631-$1,066
Auto Manufacturing Corridor
Memphis → Charleston Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
166–191
running this lane
Weekly Loads
108–127
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
80/100
Excellent
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$6–$10 one-way passing through TN, SC, GA, NC. 2 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.
Memphis to Charleston 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.
Charleston has emerged as the Southeast's premium port, with the deepest harbor on the East Coast and the brand-new Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal adding 700,000 TEUs of capacity. BMW ships every X3, X5, and X7 through Charleston — the plant in Greer, SC is BMW's largest factory worldwide — while Boeing's final assembly facility builds 787 Dreamliner fuselage sections. The port handles $75+ billion in annual trade, and the SC Ports Authority's inland port network extends the port's reach deep into the Carolinas and Georgia.
The Memphis-to-Charleston corridor spans 783 miles via I-40, I-55, I-26, I-526. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to port & maritime logistics and automotive manufacturing demand in Charleston. 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 Charleston Receives
Charleston's port & maritime logistics, automotive manufacturing, aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
containerized imports (Asia/Europe)
automotive parts
raw materials
machinery
retail merchandise
chemicals
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Charleston, 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.
$1,683-$2,075 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.
$2,232-$2,858 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,466-$3,328 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.
$631-$1,066 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Charleston lane (783 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,683-$2,075 | 14 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $631-$1,066 | 16-18 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,545-$3,524 | 9 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,057-$1,449 | 17-19 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Charleston that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
BMW Manufacturing (Greer)
Boeing Charleston
Volvo Cars (Ridgeville)
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Charleston
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.
Charleston Seasonal Advisory
Import volumes peak August through November ahead of holiday retail season. BMW production runs year-round with a two-week July shutdown. Boeing's delivery schedule creates irregular but high-value oversize moves throughout the year.
Overnight Transit
This 783-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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Memphis and Charleston — 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
Charleston, SC
- Metro Population
- 850K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.20-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-26, I-526, US-17
- Rail / Intermodal
- SC Ports Inland Port Dillon; Norfolk Southern Charleston Terminal; Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal
- Port Access
- Port of Charleston (Atlantic Ocean, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- North Charleston/I-26 Industrial, Summerville/I-26 West, Daniel Island/Wando Welch Terminal
“Charleston's container imbalance creates opportunity — more loaded containers arrive than depart, meaning drayage carriers can often negotiate favorable rates on export repositioning moves. The I-26 corridor between Charleston and the Upstate is a continuous automotive supply chain pipeline.”
Return Loads from Charleston
Charleston is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Memphis typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Charleston
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 Charleston Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Charleston?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Charleston, SC currently range $1,683-$2,075 (roughly $2.16-$2.67 per mile over 783 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $631-$1,066 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 Charleston?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Charleston is approximately 14 hrs by truck over 783 miles, with 2 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 BNSF Memphis Intermodal to SC Ports Inland Port Dillon takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Memphis to Charleston 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. Charleston commonly receives containerized imports (Asia/Europe), automotive parts, raw materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Charleston to Memphis?
Excellent backhaul (scored 80/100 based on Charleston's outbound commodity mix). Charleston is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Memphis typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate. Charleston's top outbound commodities — BMW vehicles, containerized exports, Boeing 787 components — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Memphis to Charleston?
The Memphis-to-Charleston corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Auto Manufacturing Corridor. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Charleston's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (Asia/Europe), automotive parts, raw materials, machinery, retail merchandise, chemicals. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and port & maritime logistics and automotive manufacturing in Charleston.
When are rates highest on the Memphis to Charleston 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 Charleston
We maintain working relationships with 166+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Memphis–Charleston 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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