Freight Shipping from Memphis to Greenville
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Greenville, SC with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,213-$1,495, LTL from $510-$879. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
564 mi
Drive Time
10 hrs
FTL Budget Range
$1,213-$1,495
LTL Budget Range
$510-$879
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 → Greenville
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 — steady
Greenville's outbound mix (BMW vehicles & parts, tires (Michelin), gas turbines (GE)) partially matches what moves back toward Memphis. Return loads exist but are not guaranteed, so carriers price this lane with some repositioning risk built in.
Seasonal pressure
- 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 $4–$7 in tolls one way, estimated from published commercial rates in TN, SC, 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 Greenville 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.
Greenville-Spartanburg is the automotive manufacturing engine of the Southeast, centered on BMW's massive Greer plant — the largest BMW factory in the world, producing 1,500+ vehicles per day. Michelin North America's headquarters and multiple tire plants create heavy flatbed and van demand, while GE's gas turbine manufacturing campus generates some of the largest and heaviest oversize loads in the region. The SC Ports Inland Port in Greer extends Charleston's port reach 212 miles inland via Norfolk Southern rail.
The Memphis-to-Greenville corridor spans 564 miles via I-40, I-55, I-85, I-385. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to automotive manufacturing and advanced manufacturing demand in Greenville. 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 Greenville Receives
Greenville's automotive manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
automotive sub-assemblies
raw rubber
steel & metals
electronic components
chemicals
machinery
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Greenville, 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.
$1,213-$1,495 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.
$1,607-$2,059 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,777-$2,397 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.
$510-$879 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Greenville lane (564 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,213-$1,495 | 10 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $510-$879 | 12-14 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,833-$2,538 | 7 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $761-$1,043 | 13-15 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Greenville that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
BMW Manufacturing (Greer)
Michelin North America (HQ)
GE Gas Power (Greenville)
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Greenville
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.
Greenville Seasonal Advisory
BMW production runs year-round with July and December two-week shutdowns that temporarily reduce automotive freight volume. Tire shipments peak ahead of spring (March-April) and fall (September-October) tire-change seasons.
Overnight Transit
This 564-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 Greenville — 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
Greenville, SC
- Metro Population
- 930K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-85, I-385, US-25
- Rail / Intermodal
- SC Ports Inland Port Greer; Norfolk Southern Greer Terminal
- Warehouse Districts
- Greer/I-85 BMW Corridor, Mauldin/I-385 South, Piedmont/I-85 West
“The BMW supply chain in Greer operates on strict JIT schedules — carriers who earn preferred status with tier-one suppliers access dedicated lanes with premium rates. The inland port rail connection means containers can clear customs in Greer rather than congested Charleston docks.”
Return Loads from Greenville
Greenville's outbound mix (BMW vehicles & parts, tires (Michelin), gas turbines (GE)) partially matches what moves back toward Memphis. Return loads exist but are not guaranteed, so carriers price this lane with some repositioning risk built in.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Greenville
Seasonal Rate Patterns
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 Greenville Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Greenville?
As a planning figure, budget $1,213-$1,495 for a full truckload from Memphis, TN to Greenville, SC. That is the 564-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 $510-$879 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 Greenville?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Greenville is approximately 10 hrs by truck over 564 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service via BNSF Memphis Intermodal to SC Ports Inland Port Greer takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Memphis to Greenville 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. Greenville commonly receives automotive sub-assemblies, raw rubber, steel & metals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Greenville to Memphis?
Greenville's outbound mix (BMW vehicles & parts, tires (Michelin), gas turbines (GE)) partially matches what moves back toward Memphis. Return loads exist but are not guaranteed, so carriers price this lane with some repositioning risk built in. 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 Greenville?
Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Greenville's primary inbound freight includes automotive sub-assemblies, raw rubber, steel & metals, electronic components, chemicals, machinery. The industries driving the lane are logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices on the Memphis end and automotive manufacturing and advanced manufacturing in Greenville. 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 Greenville lane?
Rate pressure on this corridor follows the logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices calendar. 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.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Greenville
Tell us what you are moving on the Memphis–Greenville 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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