Freight Shipping from Memphis to Chicago
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Chicago, IL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,350-$1,664, LTL from $545-$934. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
628 mi
Drive Time
11 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,350-$1,664
LTL Rate Est.
$545-$934
Energy & Chemicals Route
Memphis → Chicago Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
164–188
running this lane
Weekly Loads
231–251
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
79/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$11–$19 one-way passing through TN, IL, KY, IN, MO. 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 Chicago 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.
Chicago is the freight capital of North America, full stop. One-third of all US rail freight passes through the metro, and the I-55/I-80 corridor south of the city contains the highest concentration of intermodal facilities and mega-distribution centers in the world. BNSF's Logistics Park Chicago in Elwood alone processes over 2 million container lifts annually. The I-294 corridor warehouses from Bedford Park to Elk Grove Village process more cross-dock volume than any other US metro, making Chicago the pivot point for transcontinental freight in every direction.
The Memphis-to-Chicago corridor spans 628 miles via I-55. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to logistics & intermodal and food manufacturing demand in Chicago. 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 Chicago Receives
Chicago's logistics & intermodal, food manufacturing, financial services sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
consumer goods
automotive parts
containerized imports
raw materials
agricultural products
energy products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Chicago, 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.
$1,350-$1,664 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.
$1,790-$2,292 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.
$545-$934 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Chicago lane (628 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,350-$1,664 | 11 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $545-$934 | 13-15 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,041-$2,826 | 8 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $848-$1,162 | 14-16 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Chicago that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Amazon (15+ facilities)
Walmart (Elwood mega-DC)
Abbott Laboratories
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Chicago
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.
Chicago Seasonal Advisory
Holiday import season (September-December) pushes intermodal yards to capacity. Agricultural export season (October-January) adds grain and soybean volume. January-February is the slowest period, with spot rates often dropping 15-20% below annual averages.
Overnight Transit
This 628-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 Chicago — 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
Chicago, IL
- Metro Population
- 9.5M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-90, I-94, I-55
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Logistics Park Chicago (Elwood); UP Global IV (Joliet); NS Landers Yard; CSX 59th Street Intermodal; BNSF Corwith Yard; UP Yard Center
- Warehouse Districts
- I-55/Joliet Corridor, I-80/Elwood-Channahon, O'Hare/Elk Grove Village, I-294/Bedford Park
“Chicago's notorious rail congestion means intermodal containers can sit for 3-5 days waiting for a rail slot, a hidden cost that makes truck competitive on lanes up to 1,500 miles. Savvy shippers keep a truck backup option for time-sensitive loads during peak rail congestion in Q4.”
Return Loads from Chicago
Chicago generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Memphis is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Chicago
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 Chicago Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Chicago?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Chicago, IL currently range $1,350-$1,664 (roughly $2.18-$2.66 per mile over 628 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $545-$934 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 Chicago?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Chicago is approximately 11 hrs by truck over 628 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service via BNSF Memphis Intermodal to BNSF Logistics Park Chicago (Elwood) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Memphis to Chicago 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. Chicago commonly receives consumer goods, automotive parts, containerized imports. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Chicago to Memphis?
Strong backhaul (scored 79/100 based on Chicago's outbound commodity mix). Chicago generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Memphis is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Chicago's top outbound commodities — processed foods, steel products, pharmaceuticals — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Memphis to Chicago?
The Memphis-to-Chicago corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Energy & Chemicals Route. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Chicago's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, automotive parts, containerized imports, raw materials, agricultural products, energy products. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and logistics & intermodal and food manufacturing in Chicago.
When are rates highest on the Memphis to Chicago 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 Chicago
We maintain working relationships with 164+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Memphis–Chicago 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