Freight Shipping from Memphis to Detroit
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Detroit, MI with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,742-$2,147, LTL from $646-$1,089. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
810 mi
Drive Time
15 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,742-$2,147
LTL Rate Est.
$646-$1,089
Fresh Food Lane
Memphis → Detroit Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
171–194
running this lane
Weekly Loads
231–248
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
71/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$14–$23 one-way passing through TN, MI, KY, VA, OH, IN, IL, MO, SC, NC. 2 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Memphis to Detroit 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.
Detroit remains the undisputed capital of North American automotive freight. The Big Three automakers and hundreds of tier-1 suppliers generate an enormous volume of JIT parts shipments crisscrossing the Ambassador Bridge to Canadian assembly plants daily. The EV transition is reshaping freight flows, with massive battery plants from GM (Ultium) and Ford drawing new inbound raw materials from lithium and nickel sources.
The Memphis-to-Detroit corridor spans 810 miles via I-40, I-55, I-75, I-94. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to automotive manufacturing and autonomous vehicle tech demand in Detroit. 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 Detroit Receives
Detroit's automotive manufacturing, autonomous vehicle tech, steel processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
auto parts (cross-border)
raw steel
aluminum
rubber & plastics
electronic components
glass
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Detroit, 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.
$1,742-$2,147 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.
$2,309-$2,957 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.
$646-$1,089 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Detroit lane (810 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,742-$2,147 | 15 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $646-$1,089 | 17-19 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,633-$3,645 | 10 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,094-$1,499 | 18-20 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Detroit that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
General Motors
Ford Motor Company
Stellantis (Chrysler)
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Detroit
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.
Detroit Seasonal Advisory
Automotive production follows a predictable cycle with two-week shutdowns in July and late December. Model changeover periods (August-September) create surge demand for tooling and equipment freight as assembly lines are retooled.
Overnight Transit
This 810-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 Detroit — 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
Detroit, MI
- Metro Population
- 4.3M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.20-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-75, I-94, I-96
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Detroit Intermodal; CSX Livernois Junction
- Port Access
- Ambassador Bridge & Detroit-Windsor Tunnel (Canada border, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Romulus/I-94 Airport Corridor, Warren/Sterling Heights, Woodhaven/Downriver
“The Ambassador Bridge and the new Gordie Howe International Bridge handle over 8,000 trucks daily, making the Detroit-Windsor corridor the busiest commercial land crossing in North America. FAST card-holding drivers command premium rates for cross-border automotive lanes.”
Return Loads from Detroit
Detroit generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Memphis is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Detroit
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Memphis to Detroit Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Detroit?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Detroit, MI currently range $1,742-$2,147 (roughly $2.17-$2.65 per mile over 810 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $646-$1,089 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 Detroit?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Detroit is approximately 15 hrs by truck over 810 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 Norfolk Southern Detroit Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Memphis to Detroit 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. Detroit commonly receives auto parts (cross-border), raw steel, aluminum. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Detroit to Memphis?
Strong backhaul (scored 71/100 based on Detroit's outbound commodity mix). Detroit generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Memphis is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Detroit's top outbound commodities — finished vehicles, automotive parts & assemblies, steel coils — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Memphis to Detroit?
The Memphis-to-Detroit corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Detroit's primary inbound freight includes auto parts (cross-border), raw steel, aluminum, rubber & plastics, electronic components, glass. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and automotive manufacturing and autonomous vehicle tech in Detroit.
When are rates highest on the Memphis to Detroit lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices cycles. Key periods: 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, Mon AM, Fri PM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Detroit
We maintain working relationships with 171+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Memphis–Detroit 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