Freight Shipping from Memphis to Savannah
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Savannah, GA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,557-$1,919, LTL from $598-$1,015. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
724 mi
Drive Time
13 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,557-$1,919
LTL Rate Est.
$598-$1,015
Port Drayage Corridor
Memphis → Savannah Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
167–190
running this lane
Weekly Loads
106–123
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
87/100
Excellent
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$5–$8 one-way passing through TN, GA, NC. 1 typical fuel stop 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 Savannah 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.
The Port of Savannah's Garden City Terminal is the largest single-operator container terminal in North America, and it has reshaped Southeast freight flows over the past decade. Georgia Ports Authority's $3 billion investment in the Mason Mega Rail terminal allows double-stacked trains to reach Midwestern markets in under 48 hours, pulling volume away from East Coast competitors. For a metro of just 400K people, Savannah moves a staggering amount of freight — container volumes rivaling ports in metros 10 times its size.
The Memphis-to-Savannah corridor spans 724 miles via I-40, I-55, I-16, I-95. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to port operations and logistics & warehousing demand in Savannah. 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 Savannah Receives
Savannah's port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
containerized imports
automobiles
machinery
raw materials
chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Savannah, 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.
$1,557-$1,919 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.
$2,063-$2,643 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,281-$3,077 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.
$598-$1,015 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Savannah lane (724 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,557-$1,919 | 13 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $598-$1,015 | 15-17 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,353-$3,258 | 9 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $977-$1,339 | 16-18 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Savannah that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Savannah
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.
Savannah Seasonal Advisory
Import peak season (August-November) for holiday retail. Kaolin clay shipments from middle Georgia mines run year-round. Paper mill production is steady but dips slightly during summer maintenance shutdowns.
Overnight Transit
This 724-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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Memphis and Savannah — 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
Savannah, GA
- Metro Population
- 404K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-16, I-95, US-80
- Rail / Intermodal
- NS Savannah Intermodal (Mason Mega Rail); CSX Savannah Terminal
- Port Access
- Port of Savannah/Garden City Terminal (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- West Chatham/I-16, Pooler/I-95, Garden City Terminal area
“Savannah's port is the "relief valve" for East Coast shippers frustrated with congestion at New York/New Jersey and Charleston. During port disruptions elsewhere, Savannah volumes spike 20-30%, creating sudden carrier demand that pushes spot rates well above contract levels.”
Return Loads from Savannah
Savannah is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Memphis typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Savannah
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 Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Savannah?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Savannah, GA currently range $1,557-$1,919 (roughly $2.16-$2.68 per mile over 724 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $598-$1,015 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 Savannah?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Savannah is approximately 13 hrs by truck over 724 miles, with 1 typical fuel stop 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 NS Savannah Intermodal (Mason Mega Rail) takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Memphis to Savannah 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. Savannah commonly receives containerized imports, automobiles, machinery. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Savannah to Memphis?
Excellent backhaul (scored 87/100 based on Savannah's outbound commodity mix). Savannah is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Memphis typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate. Savannah's top outbound commodities — containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Memphis to Savannah?
The Memphis-to-Savannah corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Savannah's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports, automobiles, machinery, raw materials, chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah.
When are rates highest on the Memphis to Savannah 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.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Savannah
We maintain working relationships with 167+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Memphis–Savannah 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