Freight Shipping from Memphis to Kansas City
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Kansas City, KS with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,041-$1,283, LTL from $466-$811. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
484 mi
Drive Time
9 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,041-$1,283
LTL Rate Est.
$466-$811
Industrial Freight Lane
Memphis → Kansas City Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
198–214
running this lane
Weekly Loads
231–243
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
86/100
Excellent
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$10–$16 one-way passing through TN, KS, IL, OK. 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 Kansas City 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.
Kansas City is the geographic center of the continental US freight network and arguably the most important rail hub after Chicago. Four Class I railroads (BNSF, UP, NS, and KCS/CPKC) maintain major yards here, and the Logistics Park Kansas City in Edwardsville is one of the largest inland intermodal developments in North America. The city's central location means outbound freight can reach 85% of the US population within two days by truck, making it a magnet for e-commerce fulfillment and food distribution operations.
The Memphis-to-Kansas City corridor spans 484 miles via I-40, I-55, I-70, I-35. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to logistics & distribution and automotive manufacturing demand in Kansas City. 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 Kansas City Receives
Kansas City's logistics & distribution, automotive manufacturing, animal health sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
automotive components
consumer goods
agricultural products
construction materials
raw materials
e-commerce inventory
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Kansas City, 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.
$1,041-$1,283 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.
$1,379-$1,767 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.
$466-$811 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Kansas City lane (484 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,041-$1,283 | 9 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $466-$811 | 11-13 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,573-$2,178 | 6 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Kansas City that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
General Motors Fairfax Assembly
Amazon (5+ facilities)
Cerner/Oracle Health
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Kansas City
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.
Kansas City Seasonal Advisory
Agricultural freight peaks during fall harvest. Holiday e-commerce fulfillment (October-December) strains outbound capacity. Severe weather on the Great Plains (tornadoes in spring, ice storms in winter) can temporarily shut down I-70 and I-35.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 484 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 Kansas City — 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
Kansas City, KS
- Metro Population
- 2.2M metro (KC metro)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-70, I-35, I-435
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Argentine Yard; UP Neff Yard; NS Kansas City Terminal; KCS Knoche Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- Edwardsville/I-435 (Logistics Park KC), Wyandotte County/I-70, Gardner/New Century
“CPKC's merger created the first single-railroad connection from Canada to Mexico through Kansas City, fundamentally reshaping north-south intermodal flows. Shippers moving freight between Mexico and the Midwest now have a rail option that bypasses congested Texas border crossings.”
Return Loads from Kansas City
Kansas City is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Memphis typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Kansas City
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 Kansas City Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Kansas City?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Kansas City, KS currently range $1,041-$1,283 (roughly $2.16-$2.67 per mile over 484 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $466-$811 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 Kansas City?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Kansas City is approximately 9 hrs by truck over 484 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 Kansas City 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. Kansas City commonly receives automotive components, consumer goods, agricultural products. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Kansas City to Memphis?
Excellent backhaul (scored 86/100 based on Kansas City's outbound commodity mix). Kansas City is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Memphis typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate. Kansas City's top outbound commodities — automobiles (GM), animal health products, processed meats — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Memphis to Kansas City?
The Memphis-to-Kansas City 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. Kansas City's primary inbound freight includes automotive components, consumer goods, agricultural products, construction materials, raw materials, e-commerce inventory. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and logistics & distribution and automotive manufacturing in Kansas City.
When are rates highest on the Memphis to Kansas City 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.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Kansas City
We maintain working relationships with 198+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Memphis–Kansas City 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