Freight Shipping from Memphis to Little Rock
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Little Rock, AR with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $363-$448, LTL from $293-$544. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
169 mi
Drive Time
3 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$363-$448
LTL Rate Est.
$293-$544
Memphis to Little Rock 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.
Little Rock benefits from its central US location at the junction of I-40 and I-30, putting it within a day's drive of Dallas, Memphis, Kansas City, and St. Louis. The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System connects the metro to inland barge traffic, creating intermodal opportunities for bulk shippers. The North Little Rock rail yards are among the busiest in the mid-South, with UP and BNSF both running major classification operations.
The Memphis-to-Little Rock corridor spans 169 miles via I-40. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to food processing and steel manufacturing demand in Little Rock. 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 Little Rock Receives
Little Rock's food processing, steel manufacturing, defense sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
raw steel
consumer goods
agricultural chemicals
petroleum products
packaging materials
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Little Rock, 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.
$363-$448 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.
$482-$617 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$532-$718 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.
$293-$544 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Little Rock lane (169 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $363-$448 | 3 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $293-$544 | 5-7 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $549-$761 | 2 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Little Rock that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Dillard's (HQ)
Welspun Tubular
L'Oreal Manufacturing
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Little Rock
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.
Little Rock Seasonal Advisory
Rice harvest (August-October) drives bulk and hopper trailer demand. Post-Thanksgiving through Christmas, Dillard's distribution network creates retail surge freight on lanes to the Southeast and Midwest.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 169 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 Little Rock Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Little Rock?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Little Rock, AR currently range from $363-$448 for a standard dry van load over the 169-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $293-$544 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 Little Rock?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Little Rock is approximately 3 hrs by truck over 169 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 Little Rock 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. Little Rock commonly receives raw steel, consumer goods, agricultural chemicals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Little Rock to Memphis?
Yes. Little Rock is a strong outbound market shipping processed poultry, steel products, rice & grains. Carriers returning from Little Rock to Memphis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Memphis-to-Little Rock lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Memphis to Little Rock?
The Memphis-to-Little Rock corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Little Rock's primary inbound freight includes raw steel, consumer goods, agricultural chemicals, petroleum products, packaging materials, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and food processing and steel manufacturing in Little Rock.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Little Rock
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Memphis to Little Rock lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts