Freight Shipping from Memphis to Sacramento
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Sacramento, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,881-$6,016, LTL from $1,449-$2,330. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,270 mi
Drive Time
41 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,881-$6,016
LTL Rate Est.
$1,449-$2,330
Memphis to Sacramento 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.
Sacramento is the gateway between California's Central Valley agricultural empire and the rest of the nation. The UP Roseville Yard, the largest railroad classification yard on the West Coast, processes thousands of railcars daily and makes Sacramento a critical intermodal node. The city's position at the junction of I-5 and I-80 means freight naturally flows through here whether it's heading to the Bay Area, Reno, or Portland.
The Memphis-to-Sacramento corridor spans 2,270 miles via I-40, I-55, I-5, I-80. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to government and agriculture & food processing demand in Sacramento. 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 Sacramento Receives
Sacramento's government, agriculture & food processing, healthcare sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
consumer goods
construction materials
retail merchandise
government supplies
agricultural chemicals
packaging materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Sacramento, 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.
$4,881-$6,016 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.
$6,470-$8,286 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$7,151-$9,648 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.
$1,449-$2,330 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Sacramento lane (2,270 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,881-$6,016 | 41 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,449-$2,330 | 43-45 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $7,378-$10,215 | 28 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $3,065-$4,200 | 44-46 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Sacramento that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Blue Diamond Growers
Campbell Soup (Sacramento plant)
Amazon (3 facilities)
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Sacramento
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.
Sacramento Seasonal Advisory
Almond harvest (August-October) is the single biggest freight event, generating tens of thousands of loads. Tomato processing (July-September) and rice harvest (September-November) overlap to create the busiest reefer market in the state.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,270 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 41 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 Sacramento Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Sacramento?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Sacramento, CA currently range from $4,881-$6,016 for a standard dry van load over the 2,270-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $1,449-$2,330 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 Sacramento?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Sacramento is approximately 41 hrs by truck over 2,270 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 Sacramento 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. Sacramento commonly receives consumer goods, construction materials, retail merchandise. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Sacramento to Memphis?
Yes. Sacramento is a strong outbound market shipping almonds & tree nuts, rice, processed tomatoes. Carriers returning from Sacramento to Memphis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Memphis-to-Sacramento lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Memphis to Sacramento?
The Memphis-to-Sacramento corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Sacramento's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, construction materials, retail merchandise, government supplies, agricultural chemicals, packaging materials. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and government and agriculture & food processing in Sacramento.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Sacramento
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