Freight Shipping from Memphis to Chattanooga
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Chattanooga, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $748-$922, LTL from $391-$696. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
348 mi
Drive Time
6 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$748-$922
LTL Rate Est.
$391-$696
Consumer Goods Corridor
Memphis → Chattanooga Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
165–179
running this lane
Weekly Loads
82–98
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
69/100
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. 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 Chattanooga 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.
Chattanooga reinvented its freight identity when Volkswagen opened its only U.S. assembly plant here in 2011, now producing the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport for the entire North American market. The I-24/I-75 junction at the Tennessee-Georgia border makes Chattanooga a critical gateway between the Midwest and Southeast. The city's gigabit internet infrastructure has attracted tech companies and Amazon fulfillment, adding e-commerce distribution to the traditional manufacturing freight base.
The Memphis-to-Chattanooga corridor spans 348 miles via I-40, I-55, I-24, I-75. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to automotive manufacturing and insurance demand in Chattanooga. 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 Chattanooga Receives
Chattanooga's automotive manufacturing, insurance, advanced manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
automotive parts (Europe/Mexico)
raw steel
consumer goods
chemicals
electronic components
packaging materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Chattanooga, 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.
$748-$922 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.
$992-$1,270 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,096-$1,479 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.
$391-$696 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Chattanooga lane (348 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $748-$922 | 6 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $391-$696 | 8-10 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,131-$1,566 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Chattanooga that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly
Unum Group (HQ)
Gestamp (auto stampings)
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Chattanooga
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.
Chattanooga Seasonal Advisory
VW production runs year-round with a two-week summer shutdown in July and brief December pause. Amazon fulfillment peaks October through December. The proximity to Atlanta creates year-round freight spillover from the Southeast's largest market.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 348 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 Chattanooga — 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
Chattanooga, TN
- Metro Population
- 580K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-24, I-75, US-27
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Chattanooga Intermodal; CSX Wauhatchie Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- Enterprise South Industrial Park (VW), East Brainerd/I-75 South, Ooltewah/I-75 North
“VW Chattanooga operates a sophisticated JIT supply chain with European and Mexican parts arriving by rail and truck on precise schedules. Carriers who earn certified supplier status access dedicated automotive lanes with guaranteed volume — a reliable revenue stream that many owner-operators overlook.”
Return Loads from Chattanooga
Chattanooga generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Memphis is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Chattanooga
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 Chattanooga Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Chattanooga?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Chattanooga, TN currently range $748-$922 (roughly $2.17-$2.66 per mile over 348 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $391-$696 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 Chattanooga?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Chattanooga is approximately 6 hrs by truck over 348 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 Chattanooga 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. Chattanooga commonly receives automotive parts (Europe/Mexico), raw steel, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Chattanooga to Memphis?
Strong backhaul (scored 69/100 based on Chattanooga's outbound commodity mix). Chattanooga generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Memphis is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Chattanooga's top outbound commodities — Volkswagen vehicles, automotive components, insurance documents — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Memphis to Chattanooga?
The Memphis-to-Chattanooga 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. Chattanooga's primary inbound freight includes automotive parts (Europe/Mexico), raw steel, consumer goods, chemicals, electronic components, packaging materials. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and automotive manufacturing and insurance in Chattanooga.
When are rates highest on the Memphis to Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 348 miles (6 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Memphis-to-Chattanooga 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 5 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Chattanooga
We maintain working relationships with 165+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Memphis–Chattanooga 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