Freight Shipping from Memphis to Los Angeles
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Los Angeles, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,478-$5,520, LTL from $1,346-$2,171. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,083 mi
Drive Time
38 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,478-$5,520
LTL Rate Est.
$1,346-$2,171
Industrial Freight Lane
Memphis → Los Angeles Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
82–100
running this lane
Weekly Loads
233–252
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
65/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$23–$39 one-way passing through TN, CA, OK, NM. 5 typical fuel stops 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 Los Angeles 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.
The Los Angeles basin is the undisputed freight capital of the Western Hemisphere. The San Pedro Bay port complex (LA + Long Beach) handles 40% of all US containerized imports, generating a tidal wave of drayage and long-haul freight that radiates outward on I-10, I-15, and I-5. The Inland Empire east of LA has become the largest warehouse market in the world, with over 600 million square feet of distribution space absorbing and redistributing Asian imports to every corner of the country.
The Memphis-to-Los Angeles corridor spans 2,083 miles via I-40, I-55, I-5, I-10. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to entertainment & media and international trade demand in Los Angeles. 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 Los Angeles Receives
Los Angeles's entertainment & media, international trade, aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
consumer electronics
furniture & housewares
automotive parts
textiles & fabrics
industrial machinery
toys & games
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Los Angeles, 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.
$4,478-$5,520 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.
$5,937-$7,603 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.
$1,346-$2,171 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Los Angeles lane (2,083 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,478-$5,520 | 38 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,346-$2,171 | 40-42 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $6,770-$9,374 | 25 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,812-$3,854 | 41-43 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Los Angeles that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Amazon (15+ facilities)
Target (import DC)
Nike Distribution
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Los Angeles
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.
Los Angeles Seasonal Advisory
Import surge begins in August for holiday retail season, peaking in October-November. Chinese New Year (January-February) creates a brief lull followed by a restocking wave in March.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,083 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 38 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
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 Los Angeles — 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
Los Angeles, CA
- Metro Population
- 13.2M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.45-$2.85/mi
- Key Highways
- I-5, I-10, I-710
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Hobart Yard (Commerce); UP ICTF (Wilmington); UP East LA Intermodal
- Port Access
- Port of Los Angeles (20 mi) / Port of Long Beach (22 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Inland Empire (Ontario/Riverside), Commerce/Vernon, Carson/Compton
“The I-710 corridor from the ports to the intermodal yards in Commerce is the most heavily trucked stretch of highway in America. Container drayage rates fluctuate wildly based on port congestion — chassis availability can add $100-200 per container in detention charges during peak seasons.”
Return Loads from Los Angeles
Backhaul from Los Angeles to Memphis requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Los Angeles
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 Los Angeles Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Los Angeles?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Los Angeles, CA currently range $4,478-$5,520 (roughly $2.15-$2.67 per mile over 2,083 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,346-$2,171 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 Los Angeles?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Los Angeles is approximately 38 hrs by truck over 2,083 miles, with 5 typical fuel stops 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 BNSF Hobart Yard (Commerce) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Memphis to Los Angeles 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. Los Angeles commonly receives consumer electronics, furniture & housewares, automotive parts. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Los Angeles to Memphis?
Moderate backhaul (scored 65/100 based on Los Angeles's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Los Angeles to Memphis requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Los Angeles's top outbound commodities — containerized imports (re-distribution), entertainment equipment, apparel & fashion — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Memphis to Los Angeles?
The Memphis-to-Los Angeles 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. Los Angeles's primary inbound freight includes consumer electronics, furniture & housewares, automotive parts, textiles & fabrics, industrial machinery, toys & games. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and entertainment & media and international trade in Los Angeles.
When are rates highest on the Memphis to Los Angeles 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.
Should I use team drivers for the Memphis to Los Angeles lane?
At 2,083 miles, this route exceeds a solo driver's hours-of-service limits and requires at least one 10-hour break, adding roughly 14-18 hours to transit. Team drivers typically deliver in 22-27 hours — nearly half the solo transit — at a 20-35% rate premium. For time-critical freight over 1,200 miles, teams generally pay for themselves.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Los Angeles
We maintain working relationships with 82+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Memphis–Los Angeles 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