Freight Shipping from Memphis to Columbus
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Columbus, OH with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,423-$1,754, LTL from $564-$963. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
662 mi
Drive Time
12 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,423-$1,754
LTL Rate Est.
$564-$963
Memphis to Columbus 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.
Columbus is the fastest-growing logistics market in the Midwest, centered on the Rickenbacker Inland Port — a unique combination of intermodal rail terminal, cargo airport, and foreign trade zone that processes over $25 billion in goods annually. The city's location within 600 miles of 60% of the U.S. and Canadian population has attracted 200+ million square feet of warehouse space, with Amazon alone operating 8+ facilities in the metro.
The Memphis-to-Columbus corridor spans 662 miles via I-40, I-55, I-70, I-71. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to logistics & distribution and insurance & financial services demand in Columbus. 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 Columbus Receives
Columbus's logistics & distribution, insurance & financial services, technology sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
consumer goods
raw materials
food ingredients
packaging materials
electronics
imported merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Columbus, 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.
$1,423-$1,754 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.
$1,887-$2,416 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.
$564-$963 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Columbus lane (662 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,423-$1,754 | 12 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $564-$963 | 14-16 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,152-$2,979 | 8 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $894-$1,225 | 15-17 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Columbus that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Bath & Body Works (HQ)
Honda of America (Marysville)
Cardinal Health (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Columbus
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.
Columbus Seasonal Advisory
Holiday retail distribution drives a massive Q4 peak, with Bath & Body Works, Victoria's Secret, and Amazon operating 24/7 from October through December. Honda's Marysville plant follows standard automotive shutdown cycles in July and December.
Overnight Transit
This 662-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 Columbus Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Columbus?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Columbus, OH currently range from $1,423-$1,754 for a standard dry van load over the 662-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $564-$963 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 Columbus?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Columbus is approximately 12 hrs by truck over 662 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 Columbus 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. Columbus commonly receives consumer goods, raw materials, food ingredients. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Columbus to Memphis?
Yes. Columbus is a strong outbound market shipping consumer packaged goods, retail merchandise, auto parts. Carriers returning from Columbus to Memphis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Memphis-to-Columbus lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Memphis to Columbus?
The Memphis-to-Columbus corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Columbus's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, raw materials, food ingredients, packaging materials, electronics, imported merchandise. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and logistics & distribution and insurance & financial services in Columbus.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Columbus
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