Freight Shipping from Memphis to New York City
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to New York City, NY with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,664-$3,283, LTL from $881-$1,453. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,239 mi
Drive Time
23 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,664-$3,283
LTL Rate Est.
$881-$1,453
Industrial Freight Lane
Memphis → New York City Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
127–142
running this lane
Weekly Loads
234–251
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
71/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$26–$44 one-way passing through TN, NY, KY, VA, OH, IN, IL, MO, SC, NC. 3 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 New York City 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.
New York City is the largest consumer freight market in the Western Hemisphere, with 20+ million metro residents requiring over 1 billion pounds of food per week alone. Hunts Point Market in the Bronx is the world's largest wholesale produce, meat, and fish distribution center. The city's extreme density, bridge and tunnel tolls, and strict delivery-hour regulations make NYC the most challenging — and highest-paying — last-mile delivery market in the country.
The Memphis-to-New York City corridor spans 1,239 miles via I-40, I-55, I-95, I-278 (BQE). This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to financial services and media & publishing demand in New York City. 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 New York City Receives
New York City's financial services, media & publishing, fashion & apparel sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
food & beverage (massive volume)
consumer goods
building materials
apparel & textiles
fuel & heating oil
restaurant supplies
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and New York City, 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.
$2,664-$3,283 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.
$3,531-$4,522 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.
$881-$1,453 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to New York City lane (1,239 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,664-$3,283 | 23 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $881-$1,453 | 25-27 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $4,027-$5,576 | 15 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,673-$2,292 | 26-28 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and New York City that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Hunts Point Produce Market
FreshDirect
Amazon NYC Fulfillment
Shipping Tips for Memphis to New York City
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.
New York City Seasonal Advisory
Holiday season (November-December) overwhelms the city's limited loading dock capacity, with delivery appointment wait times exceeding 6 hours at major retailers. Restaurant supply freight surges during summer outdoor dining season (May-September).
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,239 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 23 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 New York City — 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
New York City, NY
- Metro Population
- 20.1M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.70-$3.20/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95, I-278 (BQE), I-495 (LIE)
- Rail / Intermodal
- Howland Hook Marine Terminal (Staten Island); Red Hook Container Terminal (Brooklyn)
- Port Access
- Port of New York (multiple terminals across 5 boroughs)
- Warehouse Districts
- Hunts Point/South Bronx, Red Hook/Sunset Park (Brooklyn), Maspeth/Long Island City (Queens)
“NYC has some of the most restrictive commercial vehicle regulations in the nation — overnight delivery curfews, bridge height and weight limits, and mandatory off-peak delivery programs in Manhattan. Carriers who master these rules earn significant premiums, while those who don't face $500+ fines per violation.”
Return Loads from New York City
New York City generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Memphis is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from New York City
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 New York City Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to New York City?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to New York City, NY currently range $2,664-$3,283 (roughly $2.16-$2.66 per mile over 1,239 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $881-$1,453 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 New York City?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to New York City is approximately 23 hrs by truck over 1,239 miles, with 3 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 Howland Hook Marine Terminal (Staten Island) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Memphis to New York City 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. New York City commonly receives food & beverage (massive volume), consumer goods, building materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from New York City to Memphis?
Strong backhaul (scored 71/100 based on New York City's outbound commodity mix). New York City generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Memphis is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. New York City's top outbound commodities — printed materials, fashion & apparel, financial documents — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Memphis to New York City?
The Memphis-to-New York City 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. New York City's primary inbound freight includes food & beverage (massive volume), consumer goods, building materials, apparel & textiles, fuel & heating oil, restaurant supplies. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and financial services and media & publishing in New York City.
What tolls should I expect on the Memphis to New York City route?
Expect roughly $26-$44 in tolls round-trip passing through TN, NY, KY, VA, OH, IN, IL, MO, SC, NC. Most rate quotes either include tolls in the line-haul or bill them as a separate pass-through — ask your dispatcher to confirm which model applies to your lane.
When are rates highest on the Memphis to New York City 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 New York City
We maintain working relationships with 127+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Memphis–New York City 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