Freight Shipping from Memphis to Minneapolis
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Minneapolis, MN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,957-$2,412, LTL from $701-$1,174. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
910 mi
Drive Time
17 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,957-$2,412
LTL Rate Est.
$701-$1,174
Auto Manufacturing Corridor
Memphis → Minneapolis Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
171–185
running this lane
Weekly Loads
233–248
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
80/100
Excellent
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$14–$24 one-way passing through TN, MN, IL, MO. 2 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 Minneapolis 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.
Minneapolis-St. Paul is the Upper Midwest's dominant freight hub, anchored by Fortune 500 shippers like Target, General Mills, 3M, and Medtronic. Target's distribution network alone generates thousands of truckloads weekly from its Midwest DCs. The Twin Cities' position at the intersection of I-94 and I-35 makes it the natural routing point for freight moving between Chicago, the Dakotas, and the Canadian border.
The Memphis-to-Minneapolis corridor spans 910 miles via I-40, I-55, I-94, I-35. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to food processing & cpg and medical devices demand in Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis Receives
Minneapolis's food processing & cpg, medical devices, retail headquarters sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
consumer goods
raw grain & commodities
packaging materials
electronics
building materials
imported merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Minneapolis, 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.
$1,957-$2,412 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.
$2,594-$3,322 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.
$701-$1,174 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Minneapolis lane (910 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,957-$2,412 | 17 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $701-$1,174 | 19-21 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,958-$4,095 | 11 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,229-$1,684 | 20-22 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Minneapolis that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
General Mills
Target Corporation
Medtronic
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Minneapolis
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.
Minneapolis Seasonal Advisory
Harvest season (September-November) floods the market with grain trucks competing for capacity on I-94 and I-35. Winter weather from November through March regularly shuts down I-94 westbound, creating rate spikes and transit delays.
Overnight Transit
This 910-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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Memphis and Minneapolis — 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
Minneapolis, MN
- Metro Population
- 3.7M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-94, I-35, I-494
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Midway Intermodal; UP Minneapolis Yard; CP Shoreham Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- Shakopee/Savage I-35 South, Rogers/I-94 West, Eagan/I-35E Corridor
“Minneapolis is a net-negative freight market — more goods flow in than out — which means carriers can often negotiate premium rates for outbound loads. Brokers who can offer consistent outbound volume from General Mills or 3M facilities have significant carrier recruitment advantages.”
Return Loads from Minneapolis
Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis
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 Minneapolis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Minneapolis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Minneapolis, MN currently range $1,957-$2,412 (roughly $2.15-$2.67 per mile over 910 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $701-$1,174 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 Minneapolis?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Minneapolis is approximately 17 hrs by truck over 910 miles, with 2 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 Midway Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Memphis to Minneapolis 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. Minneapolis commonly receives consumer goods, raw grain & commodities, packaging materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Minneapolis to Memphis?
Excellent backhaul (scored 80/100 based on Minneapolis's outbound commodity mix). Minneapolis 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. Minneapolis's top outbound commodities — processed foods & cereal, medical devices, retail distribution — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Memphis to Minneapolis?
The Memphis-to-Minneapolis corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Auto Manufacturing Corridor. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Minneapolis's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, raw grain & commodities, packaging materials, electronics, building materials, imported merchandise. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and food processing & CPG and medical devices in Minneapolis.
When are rates highest on the Memphis to Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis
We maintain working relationships with 171+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Memphis–Minneapolis corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
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