Freight Shipping from Memphis to Phoenix
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Phoenix, AZ with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $3,522-$4,341, LTL from $1,101-$1,792. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,638 mi
Drive Time
30 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$3,522-$4,341
LTL Rate Est.
$1,101-$1,792
Consumer Goods Corridor
Memphis → Phoenix Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
124–146
running this lane
Weekly Loads
231–252
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.68
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
$15–$25 one-way passing through TN, AZ, OK, NM. 4 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 Phoenix 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.
Phoenix's freight economy has transformed from a construction-dependent market into a technology-driven logistics powerhouse. TSMC's $40 billion fab complex and Intel's expanding Chandler campus generate premium temperature-controlled semiconductor freight that commands top dollar. The Loop 303 corridor in Goodyear has added 30+ million square feet of warehouse space since 2020, making it the fastest-growing distribution zone west of the Mississippi.
The Memphis-to-Phoenix corridor spans 1,638 miles via I-40, I-55, I-10, I-17. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to semiconductor manufacturing and aerospace demand in Phoenix. 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 Phoenix Receives
Phoenix's semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, data centers sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
consumer goods
construction lumber
food & beverage
automotive vehicles
industrial chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Phoenix, 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.
$3,522-$4,341 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.
$4,668-$5,979 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$5,160-$6,962 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.
$1,101-$1,792 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Phoenix lane (1,638 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $3,522-$4,341 | 30 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,101-$1,792 | 32-34 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $5,324-$7,371 | 20 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,211-$3,030 | 33-35 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Phoenix that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Intel Chandler Fab
TSMC Arizona
Amazon (5 fulfillment centers)
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Phoenix
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.
Phoenix Seasonal Advisory
Summer produce season (May-September) drives reefer demand from Yuma-area farms. Holiday e-commerce fulfillment peaks October through December, when Amazon's five Phoenix-area facilities run triple shifts.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,638 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 30 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 Phoenix — 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
Phoenix, AZ
- Metro Population
- 4.9M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.30-$2.65/mi
- Key Highways
- I-10, I-17, Loop 303
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Phoenix Intermodal; UP Guadalupe Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- Goodyear/Buckeye (Loop 303), Chandler/Gilbert, Southwest Phoenix (I-10)
“Phoenix is chronically short on inbound freight, creating a persistent capacity imbalance. Carriers delivering into Phoenix often face 200+ mile deadhead runs to find outbound loads, which inflates inbound rates by 20-30% compared to markets with balanced freight flows.”
Return Loads from Phoenix
Phoenix generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Memphis is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Phoenix
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 Phoenix Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Phoenix?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Phoenix, AZ currently range $3,522-$4,341 (roughly $2.17-$2.68 per mile over 1,638 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,101-$1,792 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 Phoenix?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Phoenix is approximately 30 hrs by truck over 1,638 miles, with 4 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 BNSF Phoenix Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Memphis to Phoenix 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. Phoenix commonly receives consumer goods, construction lumber, food & beverage. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Phoenix to Memphis?
Strong backhaul (scored 73/100 based on Phoenix's outbound commodity mix). Phoenix generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Memphis is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Phoenix's top outbound commodities — semiconductors & electronics, aerospace components, copper products — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Memphis to Phoenix?
The Memphis-to-Phoenix 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. Phoenix's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, construction lumber, food & beverage, automotive vehicles, industrial chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and semiconductor manufacturing and aerospace in Phoenix.
When are rates highest on the Memphis to Phoenix 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.
Should I use team drivers for the Memphis to Phoenix lane?
At 1,638 miles, this route exceeds a solo driver's hours-of-service limits and requires at least one 10-hour break, adding roughly 14-18 hours to transit. Team drivers typically deliver in 18-21 hours — nearly half the solo transit — at a 20-35% rate premium. For time-critical freight over 1,200 miles, teams generally pay for themselves.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Phoenix
We maintain working relationships with 124+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Memphis–Phoenix 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