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 Budget Range
$671-$827
LTL Budget Range
$372-$665
Distance is road-adjusted straight-line mileage; drive time assumes 55 mph average including stops. Budget ranges apply a $2.15–$2.65 per-mile dry van band to that distance. These are planning figures, not quotes — live pricing depends on your commodity, equipment, timing and the market that week.
What actually drives the price on Memphis → Fayetteville
Mileage is the starting point, not the answer. Three things move a quote on this corridor more than distance does — what comes back the other way, what season you are shipping in, and what the route costs the driver to run.
Return freight — strong
Fayetteville ships out poultry products, consumer goods, pet food — categories Memphis takes in — so a truck running this lane has a realistic shot at a paying return load rather than deadheading. That usually shows up as a slightly better forward rate, because the carrier is not pricing an empty trip back into your quote.
Seasonal pressure
- October-December. Retail peak. Dry van capacity tightens nationally ahead of the holidays — booking two or more weeks out is the difference between a normal rate and a scramble.
- July. Most auto plants take summer shutdown, so parts freight on this corridor drops off predictably for a few weeks and capacity loosens with it.
- March-October. Construction season. Flatbed and step-deck demand climbs with the building calendar and stays elevated until the first hard freeze.
Cost of running it
Roughly $2–$3 in tolls one way, estimated from published commercial rates in TN, AR, plus about 1 fuel stop at a stop per 380 loaded miles. Exact routing and axle count will shift this.
Booking that saves money
Give more than 48 hours notice and avoid Friday-afternoon pickups. Those two habits save shippers more than negotiating does — a truck booked Tuesday for Thursday prices very differently from the same truck booked Friday morning for that afternoon.
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 ships out poultry products, consumer goods, pet food — categories Memphis takes in — so a truck running this lane has a realistic shot at a paying return load rather than deadheading. That usually shows up as a slightly better forward rate, because the carrier is not pricing an empty trip back into your quote.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Fayetteville
Seasonal Rate Patterns
October-December
Retail peak. Dry van capacity tightens nationally ahead of the holidays — booking two or more weeks out is the difference between a normal rate and a scramble.
July
Most auto plants take summer shutdown, so parts freight on this corridor drops off predictably for a few weeks and capacity loosens with it.
March-October
Construction season. Flatbed and step-deck demand climbs with the building calendar and stays elevated until the first hard freeze.
Memphis to Fayetteville Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Fayetteville?
As a planning figure, budget $671-$827 for a full truckload from Memphis, TN to Fayetteville, AR. That is the 312-mile lane distance run against a $2.15-$2.65 per-mile dry van range, which is a broad industry band rather than a live quote for your freight. LTL lands roughly $372-$665 depending on freight class, weight and dimensions. Real pricing moves with fuel, season, equipment type and how much notice you give — a lane like this can quote well outside that band in a tight week. Send us the details and we will price it against what carriers are actually accepting right now.
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?
Fayetteville ships out poultry products, consumer goods, pet food — categories Memphis takes in — so a truck running this lane has a realistic shot at a paying return load rather than deadheading. That usually shows up as a slightly better forward rate, because the carrier is not pricing an empty trip back into your quote. Why it matters to you as a shipper: backhaul is the single least visible input into your rate. Two lanes of identical mileage can quote hundreds of dollars apart purely because one has a return load waiting and the other does not.
What commodities move from Memphis to Fayetteville?
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. The industries driving the lane are logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices on the Memphis end and retail (Walmart HQ) and food processing (Tyson HQ) in Fayetteville. That mix is what determines which trailer types run the corridor regularly — and a lane with steady demand for your equipment type is one where you will find a truck on short notice.
When are rates highest on the Memphis to Fayetteville lane?
Rate pressure on this corridor follows the logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices calendar. October-December: Retail peak. Dry van capacity tightens nationally ahead of the holidays — booking two or more weeks out is the difference between a normal rate and a scramble. July: Most auto plants take summer shutdown, so parts freight on this corridor drops off predictably for a few weeks and capacity loosens with it. March-October: Construction season. Flatbed and step-deck demand climbs with the building calendar and stays elevated until the first hard freeze. Two habits that help regardless of season — book mid-week rather than Friday afternoon, and give more than 48 hours notice. Last-minute Friday pickups are where shippers overpay most consistently.
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
Tell us what you are moving on the Memphis–Fayetteville corridor and we will source an FMCSA-verified carrier that fits the commodity, the timing and the budget. We check authority, insurance and safety record before a truck is ever assigned to your freight. Free quote, no obligation.
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