Freight Shipping from Memphis to Joliet
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Joliet, IL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,266-$1,561, LTL from $524-$901. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
589 mi
Drive Time
11 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,266-$1,561
LTL Rate Est.
$524-$901
Memphis to Joliet 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.
Joliet and its surrounding Will County communities sit atop the most concentrated intermodal and distribution infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere. The CenterPoint Intermodal Center, spanning over 6,000 acres, combines UP's Global IV facility with over 30 million square feet of distribution space occupied by Walmart, Amazon, IKEA, and dozens of other major shippers. This is where West Coast container imports transition from rail to truck for final-mile delivery across the Midwest and Northeast.
The Memphis-to-Joliet corridor spans 589 miles via I-55. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to intermodal logistics and warehousing & distribution demand in Joliet. 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 Joliet Receives
Joliet's intermodal logistics, warehousing & distribution, e-commerce fulfillment sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
containerized imports (from West Coast)
raw materials
food products
retail merchandise
industrial supplies
automotive components
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Joliet, 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.
$1,266-$1,561 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.
$1,679-$2,150 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.
$524-$901 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Joliet lane (589 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,266-$1,561 | 11 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $524-$901 | 13-15 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,914-$2,651 | 7 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $795-$1,090 | 14-16 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Joliet that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Walmart (Elwood Mega-DC)
Amazon (CenterPoint)
IKEA Distribution
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Joliet
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.
Joliet Seasonal Advisory
Q4 holiday freight creates near-gridlock conditions on I-80 and I-55 as intermodal volume peaks. January sees a dramatic drop-off. Spring produce season restocks create a secondary peak in March-April.
Overnight Transit
This 589-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 Joliet Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Joliet?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Joliet, IL currently range from $1,266-$1,561 for a standard dry van load over the 589-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $524-$901 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 Joliet?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Joliet is approximately 11 hrs by truck over 589 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 Joliet 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. Joliet commonly receives containerized imports (from West Coast), raw materials, food products. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Joliet to Memphis?
Yes. Joliet is a strong outbound market shipping redistributed consumer goods, intermodal containers, packaged foods. Carriers returning from Joliet to Memphis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Memphis-to-Joliet lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Memphis to Joliet?
The Memphis-to-Joliet corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Joliet's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (from West Coast), raw materials, food products, retail merchandise, industrial supplies, automotive components. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and intermodal logistics and warehousing & distribution in Joliet.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Joliet
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