Freight Shipping from Memphis to Milwaukee
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Milwaukee, WI with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,557-$1,919, LTL from $598-$1,015. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
724 mi
Drive Time
13 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,557-$1,919
LTL Rate Est.
$598-$1,015
Memphis to Milwaukee 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.
Milwaukee is a manufacturing powerhouse that punches well above its population weight in freight generation. Rockwell Automation, Harley-Davidson, GE Healthcare, and Briggs & Stratton all maintain major operations here, creating a diverse mix of industrial freight that includes everything from motorcycles to MRI machines. The city's position on I-94 between Chicago and Minneapolis places it on one of the Midwest's highest-volume freight corridors, while the Port of Milwaukee provides Great Lakes shipping access for bulk commodities.
The Memphis-to-Milwaukee corridor spans 724 miles via I-40, I-55, I-94, I-43. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to manufacturing (engines, controls) and brewing & food processing demand in Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee Receives
Milwaukee's manufacturing (engines, controls), brewing & food processing, healthcare sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
raw metals & steel
agricultural products
consumer goods
electronic components
packaging materials
petroleum products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Milwaukee, 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.
$1,557-$1,919 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.
$2,063-$2,643 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,281-$3,077 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.
$598-$1,015 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Milwaukee lane (724 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,557-$1,919 | 13 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $598-$1,015 | 15-17 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,353-$3,258 | 9 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $977-$1,339 | 16-18 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Milwaukee that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Rockwell Automation (HQ)
Harley-Davidson (HQ)
Kohl's (Menomonee Falls)
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Milwaukee
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.
Milwaukee Seasonal Advisory
Manufacturing runs year-round with summer maintenance shutdowns at some plants. Harley-Davidson production peaks in spring for summer riding season deliveries. Kohl's distribution surges during Q4 holiday season. Lake Michigan port operations shut down mid-December through mid-March due to ice.
Overnight Transit
This 724-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 Milwaukee Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Milwaukee?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Milwaukee, WI currently range from $1,557-$1,919 for a standard dry van load over the 724-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $598-$1,015 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 Milwaukee?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Milwaukee is approximately 13 hrs by truck over 724 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 Milwaukee 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. Milwaukee commonly receives raw metals & steel, agricultural products, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Milwaukee to Memphis?
Yes. Milwaukee is a strong outbound market shipping engines & power systems (Briggs & Stratton), electrical controls (Rockwell), processed foods & beverages. Carriers returning from Milwaukee to Memphis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Memphis-to-Milwaukee lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Memphis to Milwaukee?
The Memphis-to-Milwaukee corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Milwaukee's primary inbound freight includes raw metals & steel, agricultural products, consumer goods, electronic components, packaging materials, petroleum products. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and manufacturing (engines, controls) and brewing & food processing in Milwaukee.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Milwaukee
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