Freight Shipping from Memphis to Knoxville
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Knoxville, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $976-$1,203, LTL from $450-$786. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
454 mi
Drive Time
8 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$976-$1,203
LTL Rate Est.
$450-$786
Memphis to Knoxville 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.
Knoxville commands the junction of I-40 and I-75, two of the most heavily trafficked freight corridors in the eastern United States. The Tennessee Valley Authority's headquarters drives energy infrastructure freight, while Japanese automotive suppliers like Denso maintain major manufacturing operations in the surrounding counties. The Great Smoky Mountains to the southeast create a natural bottleneck that funnels east-west freight through the Knoxville corridor.
The Memphis-to-Knoxville corridor spans 454 miles via I-40. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to energy (tva) and automotive parts demand in Knoxville. 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 Knoxville Receives
Knoxville's energy (tva), automotive parts, advanced manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
raw metals
automotive sub-assemblies
consumer goods
chemicals
fuel products
construction materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Knoxville, 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.
$976-$1,203 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.
$1,294-$1,657 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,430-$1,930 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.
$450-$786 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Knoxville lane (454 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $976-$1,203 | 8 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $450-$786 | 10-12 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,476-$2,043 | 6 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Knoxville that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Tennessee Valley Authority (HQ)
Denso Manufacturing (Maryville)
Bush Brothers & Company
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Knoxville
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.
Knoxville Seasonal Advisory
Automotive parts production runs steadily year-round with standard July and December shutdowns. University of Tennessee football season (September-November) creates unusual local delivery surges. Coal freight has declined but still moves consistently to TVA plants.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 454 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.
Memphis to Knoxville Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Knoxville?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Knoxville, TN currently range from $976-$1,203 for a standard dry van load over the 454-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $450-$786 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 Knoxville?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Knoxville is approximately 8 hrs by truck over 454 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%.
What equipment do I need for Memphis to Knoxville 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. Knoxville commonly receives raw metals, automotive sub-assemblies, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Knoxville to Memphis?
Yes. Knoxville is a strong outbound market shipping automotive components, coal, aluminum products. Carriers returning from Knoxville to Memphis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Memphis-to-Knoxville lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Memphis to Knoxville?
The Memphis-to-Knoxville corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Knoxville's primary inbound freight includes raw metals, automotive sub-assemblies, consumer goods, chemicals, fuel products, construction materials. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and energy (TVA) and automotive parts in Knoxville.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Knoxville
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