Freight Shipping from Memphis to Philadelphia
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Philadelphia, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,457-$3,029, LTL from $829-$1,372. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,143 mi
Drive Time
21 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,457-$3,029
LTL Rate Est.
$829-$1,372
Memphis to Philadelphia 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.
Philadelphia commands the Delaware River waterfront with PhilaPort, the fastest-growing port on the East Coast and the nation's top import point for fresh fruit, cocoa beans, and forest products. The metro's pharmaceutical corridor — stretching from the Navy Yard to the western suburbs — houses major operations from GSK, AstraZeneca, and dozens of biotech firms generating high-value temperature-controlled freight. The I-95/I-76/New Jersey Turnpike interchange makes Philadelphia the Northeast's critical freight chokepoint.
The Memphis-to-Philadelphia corridor spans 1,143 miles via I-40, I-55, I-95, I-76. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining demand in Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia Receives
Philadelphia's pharmaceuticals & biotech, petroleum refining, food processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
crude oil
containerized imports
cocoa beans & sugar
vehicles
steel & metals
produce (Latin America)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Philadelphia, 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.
$2,457-$3,029 estimated for this lane
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Required for temperature-sensitive freight including fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Maintains precise temperature control throughout transit.
$3,029-$3,829 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.
$3,258-$4,172 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,600-$4,858 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Philadelphia lane (1,143 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,457-$3,029 | 21 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $829-$1,372 | 23-25 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,715-$5,144 | 14 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,543-$2,115 | 24-26 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Philadelphia that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Philadelphia
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.
Philadelphia Seasonal Advisory
Fresh fruit imports peak January through April (Chilean fruit season). Pharmaceutical shipments maintain steady year-round volume with slight spikes during flu vaccine distribution (August-October). Holiday retail import surge hits September through November.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,143 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 21 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.
Memphis to Philadelphia Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Philadelphia?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Philadelphia, PA currently range from $2,457-$3,029 for a standard dry van load over the 1,143-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $829-$1,372 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 Philadelphia?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Philadelphia is approximately 21 hrs by truck over 1,143 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 Philadelphia 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. Philadelphia commonly receives crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Philadelphia to Memphis?
Yes. Philadelphia is a strong outbound market shipping refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods. Carriers returning from Philadelphia to Memphis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Memphis-to-Philadelphia lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Memphis to Philadelphia?
The Memphis-to-Philadelphia corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Philadelphia's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar, vehicles, steel & metals, produce (Latin America). Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining in Philadelphia.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Philadelphia
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