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
Consumer Goods Corridor
Memphis → Philadelphia Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
160–180
running this lane
Weekly Loads
230–245
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
73/100
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, PA, KY, VA, OH, IN, IL, MO, SC, NC. 3 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Mon, Tue, Wed. Avoid: Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Memphis and Philadelphia — 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
Philadelphia, PA
- Metro Population
- 6.2M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.55/mi
- Key Highways
- I-95, I-76, I-476
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk Southern Philadelphia Terminal; CSX Greenwich Yard; PhilaPort Packer Avenue Marine Terminal
- Port Access
- PhilaPort — Port of Philadelphia (Delaware River, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Northeast Philadelphia/I-95 Corridor, King of Prussia/I-76 West, South Jersey/I-295 (Camden-Gloucester)
“PhilaPort's concentration in perishable imports creates a natural reefer freight ecosystem — carriers delivering produce from Central and South America can backhaul pharmaceuticals and processed foods northbound on I-95 or westbound on I-76, maintaining cold chain both ways.”
Return Loads from Philadelphia
Philadelphia generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Memphis is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Philadelphia
Seasonal Rate Patterns
May-Aug (produce season)
+12-18% on reefer capacity
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
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 $2,457-$3,029 (roughly $2.18-$2.66 per mile over 1,143 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $829-$1,372 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 Philadelphia?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Philadelphia is approximately 21 hrs by truck over 1,143 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 Norfolk Southern Philadelphia Terminal 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?
Strong backhaul (scored 73/100 based on Philadelphia's outbound commodity mix). Philadelphia generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Memphis is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Philadelphia's top outbound commodities — refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Memphis to Philadelphia?
The Memphis-to-Philadelphia corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. 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.
What tolls should I expect on the Memphis to Philadelphia route?
Expect roughly $26-$44 in tolls round-trip passing through TN, PA, 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 Philadelphia lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices cycles. Key periods: May-Aug (produce season) (+12-18% on reefer capacity); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Mon, Tue, Wed) and avoid Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Philadelphia
We maintain working relationships with 160+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Memphis–Philadelphia 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