Freight Shipping from Memphis to Richmond
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Richmond, VA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,015-$2,483, LTL from $715-$1,196. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
937 mi
Drive Time
17 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,015-$2,483
LTL Rate Est.
$715-$1,196
Memphis to Richmond 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.
Richmond is the I-95 corridor's mid-Atlantic distribution sweet spot — equidistant between the Northeast megalopolis and the Southeast's growth markets. Altria Group's massive headquarters and manufacturing complex makes Richmond one of America's top tobacco freight origins, while Performance Food Group's headquarters drives broadline foodservice distribution across the eastern seaboard. The I-95/I-64 junction positions Richmond as a natural redistribution point where north-south and east-west freight flows intersect.
The Memphis-to-Richmond corridor spans 937 miles via I-40, I-55, I-95, I-64. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to tobacco & consumer products and financial services demand in Richmond. 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 Richmond Receives
Richmond's tobacco & consumer products, financial services, government (state capital) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
raw tobacco
consumer goods
chemicals
packaging materials
food ingredients
building materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Richmond, 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.
$2,015-$2,483 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.
$2,670-$3,420 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,952-$3,982 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.
$715-$1,196 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Richmond lane (937 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,015-$2,483 | 17 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $715-$1,196 | 19-21 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,045-$4,217 | 11 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,265-$1,733 | 20-22 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Richmond that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Altria Group (HQ)
CarMax (HQ)
Performance Food Group (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Richmond
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.
Richmond Seasonal Advisory
Tobacco freight is steady year-round with slight upticks in Q4 for holiday carton sales. Performance Food Group distribution peaks during summer restaurant season and Q4 holiday catering. State government freight follows the legislative session calendar (January-March).
Overnight Transit
This 937-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 Richmond Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Richmond?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Richmond, VA currently range from $2,015-$2,483 for a standard dry van load over the 937-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $715-$1,196 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 Richmond?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Richmond is approximately 17 hrs by truck over 937 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 Richmond 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. Richmond commonly receives raw tobacco, consumer goods, chemicals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Richmond to Memphis?
Yes. Richmond is a strong outbound market shipping cigarettes & tobacco products (Altria), pharmaceuticals, processed foods. Carriers returning from Richmond to Memphis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Memphis-to-Richmond lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Memphis to Richmond?
The Memphis-to-Richmond corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Richmond's primary inbound freight includes raw tobacco, consumer goods, chemicals, packaging materials, food ingredients, building materials. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and tobacco & consumer products and financial services in Richmond.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Richmond
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