Freight Shipping from Memphis to Oklahoma City
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Oklahoma City, OK with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,178-$1,452, LTL from $501-$866. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
548 mi
Drive Time
10 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,178-$1,452
LTL Rate Est.
$501-$866
Industrial Freight Lane
Memphis → Oklahoma City Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
164–183
running this lane
Weekly Loads
194–210
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.68
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
$6–$10 one-way passing through TN, OK. 1 typical fuel stop 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 Oklahoma 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.
Oklahoma City sits at the junction of three major interstates — I-35, I-40, and I-44 — creating a natural crossroads for north-south and east-west freight flows across the Southern Plains. Tinker Air Force Base is the city's largest employer and drives a significant volume of defense logistics. The metro's oil and gas sector, led by Devon Energy and Continental Resources, generates heavy oilfield equipment moves that keep flatbed carriers busy year-round.
The Memphis-to-Oklahoma City corridor spans 548 miles via I-40. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to oil & gas and aerospace & defense demand in Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma City Receives
Oklahoma City's oil & gas, aerospace & defense, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
drilling equipment
pipe & tubular goods
consumer goods
building materials
vehicles
industrial machinery
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Oklahoma 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.
$1,178-$1,452 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.
$1,562-$2,000 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.
$501-$866 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Oklahoma City lane (548 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,178-$1,452 | 10 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $501-$866 | 12-14 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,781-$2,466 | 7 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $740-$1,014 | 13-15 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Oklahoma City that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Tinker Air Force Base
Continental Resources
Devon Energy
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Oklahoma 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.
Oklahoma City Seasonal Advisory
Oilfield freight fluctuates with WTI crude prices — when prices climb above $70/bbl, drilling activity and equipment moves surge. Wheat harvest (June-July) drives seasonal grain hauling demand across western Oklahoma.
Overnight Transit
This 548-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 Oklahoma 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
Oklahoma City, OK
- Metro Population
- 1.4M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-35, I-40, I-44
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Oklahoma City Intermodal; Union Pacific Oklahoma City Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- Will Rogers World Airport/I-44 South, Midwest City/Tinker AFB Area, I-35/I-240 Junction
“OKC's position as the midpoint of I-40 between the West Coast and Memphis makes it a critical relay and fuel stop for coast-to-coast carriers. Love's Travel Stops, headquartered here, operates the nation's largest truck stop network — and their own distribution freight out of OKC is a consistent load source.”
Return Loads from Oklahoma City
Backhaul from Oklahoma City to Memphis requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma City Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Oklahoma City?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Oklahoma City, OK currently range $1,178-$1,452 (roughly $2.17-$2.68 per mile over 548 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $501-$866 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 Oklahoma City?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Oklahoma City is approximately 10 hrs by truck over 548 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service via BNSF Memphis Intermodal to BNSF Oklahoma City Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Memphis to Oklahoma 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. Oklahoma City commonly receives drilling equipment, pipe & tubular goods, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Oklahoma City to Memphis?
Moderate backhaul (scored 62/100 based on Oklahoma City's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Oklahoma City to Memphis requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Oklahoma City's top outbound commodities — petroleum products, natural gas equipment, cattle & beef — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Memphis to Oklahoma City?
The Memphis-to-Oklahoma 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. Oklahoma City's primary inbound freight includes drilling equipment, pipe & tubular goods, consumer goods, building materials, vehicles, industrial machinery. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and oil & gas and aerospace & defense in Oklahoma City.
When are rates highest on the Memphis to Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma City
We maintain working relationships with 164+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Memphis–Oklahoma 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.
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