Freight Shipping from Memphis to Pittsburgh
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Pittsburgh, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,843-$2,271, LTL from $671-$1,128. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
857 mi
Drive Time
16 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,843-$2,271
LTL Rate Est.
$671-$1,128
Memphis to Pittsburgh 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.
Pittsburgh has reinvented itself from bulk steel to high-tech manufacturing, but freight still flows heavy from this river city. U.S. Steel and PPG Industries maintain headquarters here, and the three-river confluence creates the nation's second-busiest inland port by tonnage. The emerging autonomous vehicle corridor — Aurora, Argo AI, and Carnegie Mellon's robotics spinoffs — adds a new class of high-value, specialized freight moving between testing facilities and manufacturing partners.
The Memphis-to-Pittsburgh corridor spans 857 miles via I-40, I-55, I-76, I-79. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to advanced manufacturing and robotics & ai demand in Pittsburgh. 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 Pittsburgh Receives
Pittsburgh's advanced manufacturing, robotics & ai, healthcare sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
raw metals
electronic components
coal
natural gas equipment
consumer goods
medical supplies
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Pittsburgh, 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.
$1,843-$2,271 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.
$2,442-$3,128 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.
$671-$1,128 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Pittsburgh lane (857 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,843-$2,271 | 16 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $671-$1,128 | 18-20 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,785-$3,857 | 10 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,157-$1,585 | 19-21 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Pittsburgh that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
U.S. Steel (HQ)
PPG Industries (HQ)
UPMC Health System
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Pittsburgh
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.
Pittsburgh Seasonal Advisory
Construction season (April-November) drives the strongest demand for steel and building materials freight. Natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale region generates year-round oilfield equipment moves, with spikes when new wells are permitted.
Overnight Transit
This 857-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.
Memphis to Pittsburgh Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Pittsburgh?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Pittsburgh, PA currently range from $1,843-$2,271 for a standard dry van load over the 857-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $671-$1,128 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 Pittsburgh?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Pittsburgh is approximately 16 hrs by truck over 857 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 Pittsburgh 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. Pittsburgh commonly receives raw metals, electronic components, coal. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Pittsburgh to Memphis?
Yes. Pittsburgh is a strong outbound market shipping specialty steel, industrial equipment, medical devices. Carriers returning from Pittsburgh to Memphis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Memphis-to-Pittsburgh lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Memphis to Pittsburgh?
The Memphis-to-Pittsburgh corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Pittsburgh's primary inbound freight includes raw metals, electronic components, coal, natural gas equipment, consumer goods, medical supplies. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and advanced manufacturing and robotics & AI in Pittsburgh.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Pittsburgh
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