Freight Shipping from Memphis to Cleveland
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Cleveland, OH with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,761-$2,170, LTL from $650-$1,096. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
819 mi
Drive Time
15 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,761-$2,170
LTL Rate Est.
$650-$1,096
Memphis to Cleveland 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.
Cleveland remains the industrial heart of the Great Lakes manufacturing belt, anchored by Sherwin-Williams' new global headquarters and Cleveland-Cliffs' integrated steel operations. The Port of Cleveland connects to global markets via the St. Lawrence Seaway, handling iron ore, steel, and heavy-lift project cargo. The I-90/I-77 junction gives carriers efficient access to the entire Midwest and Northeast.
The Memphis-to-Cleveland corridor spans 819 miles via I-40, I-55, I-90, I-77. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to steel & metals and automotive parts demand in Cleveland. 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 Cleveland Receives
Cleveland's steel & metals, automotive parts, healthcare & biomedical sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
iron ore (Great Lakes)
raw steel
automotive components
crude chemicals
consumer goods
energy products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Cleveland, 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.
$1,761-$2,170 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.
$2,334-$2,989 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,580-$3,481 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.
$650-$1,096 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Cleveland lane (819 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,761-$2,170 | 15 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $650-$1,096 | 17-19 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,662-$3,686 | 10 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,106-$1,515 | 18-20 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Cleveland that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Sherwin-Williams (HQ)
Cleveland-Cliffs (HQ)
Lincoln Electric
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Cleveland
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.
Cleveland Seasonal Advisory
Steel production runs year-round but construction season (April-October) drives the strongest demand for outbound coil and plate loads. Great Lakes shipping season (April-January) determines iron ore import volumes at the port.
Overnight Transit
This 819-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.
Memphis to Cleveland Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Cleveland?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Cleveland, OH currently range from $1,761-$2,170 for a standard dry van load over the 819-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $650-$1,096 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Request a custom quote for exact pricing based on your specific shipment details.
How long does freight take from Memphis to Cleveland?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Cleveland is approximately 15 hrs by truck over 819 miles. 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 takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Memphis to Cleveland 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. Cleveland commonly receives iron ore (Great Lakes), raw steel, automotive components. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Cleveland to Memphis?
Yes. Cleveland is a strong outbound market shipping steel products, automotive stampings, industrial chemicals. Carriers returning from Cleveland to Memphis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Memphis-to-Cleveland lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Memphis to Cleveland?
The Memphis-to-Cleveland corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Cleveland's primary inbound freight includes iron ore (Great Lakes), raw steel, automotive components, crude chemicals, consumer goods, energy products. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and steel & metals and automotive parts in Cleveland.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Cleveland
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