Freight Shipping from Memphis to Fayetteville
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Fayetteville, AR with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $671-$827, LTL from $372-$665. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
312 mi
Drive Time
6 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$671-$827
LTL Rate Est.
$372-$665
Industrial Freight Lane
Memphis → Fayetteville Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
166–189
running this lane
Weekly Loads
90–107
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
72/100
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, AR. 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 Fayetteville 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.
Northwest Arkansas is one of America's most remarkable freight ecosystems, anchored by the headquarters of three Fortune 500 companies: Walmart (#1), Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt Transport. Walmart's vendor community brings thousands of consumer products companies to Bentonville, making this relatively small metro one of the most freight-dense in the nation. Tyson's massive poultry processing operations generate enormous reefer volumes, while J.B. Hunt's headquarters campus serves as the nerve center for one of America's largest trucking and intermodal networks.
The Memphis-to-Fayetteville corridor spans 312 miles via I-40, I-55, I-49, US-71. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to retail (walmart hq) and food processing (tyson hq) demand in Fayetteville. 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 Fayetteville Receives
Fayetteville's retail (walmart hq), food processing (tyson hq), transportation (j.b. hunt hq) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
consumer goods (for Walmart testing)
packaging materials
food ingredients
building materials
industrial supplies
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Fayetteville, 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.
$671-$827 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.
$889-$1,139 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.
$372-$665 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Fayetteville lane (312 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $671-$827 | 6 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $372-$665 | 8-10 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,014-$1,404 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Fayetteville that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Walmart (HQ Bentonville)
Tyson Foods (HQ Springdale)
J.B. Hunt Transport (HQ Lowell)
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Fayetteville
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.
Fayetteville Seasonal Advisory
Walmart vendor shipments peak Q3-Q4 as holiday inventory builds. Tyson poultry processing ramps for Thanksgiving and grilling season. University of Arkansas football season creates temporary event freight. Spring buyers' market in Bentonville brings vendor freight surges.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 312 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 Fayetteville — 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
Fayetteville, AR
- Metro Population
- 575K metro (Northwest Arkansas)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-49, US-71, US-62
- Rail / Intermodal
- J.B. Hunt Intermodal Hub (Lowell)
- Warehouse Districts
- Springdale/I-49 Corridor, Bentonville/Walmart Vendor Zone, Rogers/Pinnacle Hills
“Walmart vendor compliance freight is a unique market — vendors must deliver to Walmart distribution centers on specific schedules with exact documentation, and penalties for late or non-compliant shipments are severe. Carriers who master Walmart's OTIF (On Time In Full) requirements access a reliable, high-volume freight stream.”
Return Loads from Fayetteville
Fayetteville generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Memphis is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Fayetteville
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 Fayetteville Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Fayetteville?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Fayetteville, AR currently range $671-$827 (roughly $2.18-$2.66 per mile over 312 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $372-$665 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 Fayetteville?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Fayetteville is approximately 6 hrs by truck over 312 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 Fayetteville 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. Fayetteville commonly receives consumer goods (for Walmart testing), packaging materials, food ingredients. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Fayetteville to Memphis?
Strong backhaul (scored 72/100 based on Fayetteville's outbound commodity mix). Fayetteville generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Memphis is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Fayetteville's top outbound commodities — poultry products, consumer goods, pet food — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Memphis to Fayetteville?
The Memphis-to-Fayetteville corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Fayetteville's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods (for Walmart testing), packaging materials, food ingredients, building materials, industrial supplies, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and retail (Walmart HQ) and food processing (Tyson HQ) in Fayetteville.
When are rates highest on the Memphis to Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 312 miles (6 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Memphis-to-Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville
We maintain working relationships with 166+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Memphis–Fayetteville corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
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