Freight Shipping from Memphis to Mobile
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Mobile, AL with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $920-$1,134, LTL from $435-$764. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
428 mi
Drive Time
8 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$920-$1,134
LTL Rate Est.
$435-$764
Auto Manufacturing Corridor
Memphis → Mobile Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
161–185
running this lane
Weekly Loads
87–105
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
62/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$3–$4 one-way passing through TN, AL. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Memphis to Mobile 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.
Mobile is the Gulf Coast's overlooked freight powerhouse. The Port of Mobile handles 60+ million tons annually and the Airbus A320 final assembly line creates a unique mix of containerized imports, oversize aerospace cargo, and bulk commodities. The AM/NS Calvert steel mill (a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel) is one of the most advanced in North America, generating heavy flatbed volume on I-65 northbound.
The Memphis-to-Mobile corridor spans 428 miles via I-40, I-55, I-10, I-65. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to shipbuilding and petrochemicals demand in Mobile. 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 Mobile Receives
Mobile's shipbuilding, petrochemicals, aerospace assembly sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
steel plate & beams
aircraft components
crude oil
containerized imports
industrial machinery
raw chemicals
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Mobile, 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.
$920-$1,134 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.
$1,220-$1,562 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,348-$1,819 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.
$435-$764 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Mobile lane (428 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $920-$1,134 | 8 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $435-$764 | 10-12 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,391-$1,926 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Mobile that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility
Austal USA
AM/NS Calvert Steel
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Mobile
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.
Mobile Seasonal Advisory
Hurricane season (June-November) can shut down port operations for days, creating massive post-storm freight surges. Shrimp season drives reefer demand from May through October.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 428 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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Memphis and Mobile — 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
Mobile, AL
- Metro Population
- 430K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-10, I-65, US-98
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Mobile Terminal; APM Terminals Mobile
- Port Access
- Port of Mobile (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Theodore Industrial Canal, Brookley Aeroplex
“The I-10/I-65 interchange south of Mobile is one of the most capacity-constrained freight corridors on the Gulf Coast. Carriers staging at the port often wait 4-6 hours for container pickup, so smart brokers build dwell time into their rate calculations.”
Return Loads from Mobile
Backhaul from Mobile to Memphis requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Mobile
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Memphis to Mobile Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Mobile?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Mobile, AL currently range $920-$1,134 (roughly $2.17-$2.67 per mile over 428 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $435-$764 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced 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 Mobile?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Mobile is approximately 8 hrs by truck over 428 miles, with 1 typical fuel stop 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%.
What equipment do I need for Memphis to Mobile 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. Mobile commonly receives steel plate & beams, aircraft components, crude oil. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Mobile to Memphis?
Moderate backhaul (scored 62/100 based on Mobile's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Mobile to Memphis requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Mobile's top outbound commodities — lumber & timber, petrochemicals, aircraft assemblies — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Memphis to Mobile?
The Memphis-to-Mobile 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. Mobile's primary inbound freight includes steel plate & beams, aircraft components, crude oil, containerized imports, industrial machinery, raw chemicals. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and shipbuilding and petrochemicals in Mobile.
When are rates highest on the Memphis to Mobile lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices cycles. Key periods: 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, Mon AM, Fri PM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Mobile
We maintain working relationships with 161+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Memphis–Mobile 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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