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 Budget Range
$1,557-$1,919
LTL Budget Range
$598-$1,015
Distance is road-adjusted straight-line mileage; drive time assumes 55 mph average including stops. Budget ranges apply a $2.15–$2.65 per-mile dry van band to that distance. These are planning figures, not quotes — live pricing depends on your commodity, equipment, timing and the market that week.
What actually drives the price on Memphis → Savannah
Mileage is the starting point, not the answer. Three things move a quote on this corridor more than distance does — what comes back the other way, what season you are shipping in, and what the route costs the driver to run.
Return freight — strong
Savannah ships out containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay — categories Memphis takes in — so a truck running this lane has a realistic shot at a paying return load rather than deadheading. That usually shows up as a slightly better forward rate, because the carrier is not pricing an empty trip back into your quote.
Seasonal pressure
- October-December. Retail peak. Dry van capacity tightens nationally ahead of the holidays — booking two or more weeks out is the difference between a normal rate and a scramble.
- July. Most auto plants take summer shutdown, so parts freight on this corridor drops off predictably for a few weeks and capacity loosens with it.
- March-October. Construction season. Flatbed and step-deck demand climbs with the building calendar and stays elevated until the first hard freeze.
Cost of running it
Roughly $5–$8 in tolls one way, estimated from published commercial rates in TN, GA, NC, plus about 1 fuel stop at a stop per 380 loaded miles. Exact routing and axle count will shift this.
Booking that saves money
Give more than 48 hours notice and avoid Friday-afternoon pickups. Those two habits save shippers more than negotiating does — a truck booked Tuesday for Thursday prices very differently from the same truck booked Friday morning for that afternoon.
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 ships out containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay — categories Memphis takes in — so a truck running this lane has a realistic shot at a paying return load rather than deadheading. That usually shows up as a slightly better forward rate, because the carrier is not pricing an empty trip back into your quote.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Savannah
Seasonal Rate Patterns
October-December
Retail peak. Dry van capacity tightens nationally ahead of the holidays — booking two or more weeks out is the difference between a normal rate and a scramble.
July
Most auto plants take summer shutdown, so parts freight on this corridor drops off predictably for a few weeks and capacity loosens with it.
March-October
Construction season. Flatbed and step-deck demand climbs with the building calendar and stays elevated until the first hard freeze.
Memphis to Savannah Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Savannah?
As a planning figure, budget $1,557-$1,919 for a full truckload from Memphis, TN to Savannah, GA. That is the 724-mile lane distance run against a $2.15-$2.65 per-mile dry van range, which is a broad industry band rather than a live quote for your freight. LTL lands roughly $598-$1,015 depending on freight class, weight and dimensions. Real pricing moves with fuel, season, equipment type and how much notice you give — a lane like this can quote well outside that band in a tight week. Send us the details and we will price it against what carriers are actually accepting right now.
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?
Savannah ships out containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay — categories Memphis takes in — so a truck running this lane has a realistic shot at a paying return load rather than deadheading. That usually shows up as a slightly better forward rate, because the carrier is not pricing an empty trip back into your quote. Why it matters to you as a shipper: backhaul is the single least visible input into your rate. Two lanes of identical mileage can quote hundreds of dollars apart purely because one has a return load waiting and the other does not.
What commodities move from Memphis to Savannah?
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. The industries driving the lane are logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices on the Memphis end and port operations and logistics & warehousing in Savannah. That mix is what determines which trailer types run the corridor regularly — and a lane with steady demand for your equipment type is one where you will find a truck on short notice.
When are rates highest on the Memphis to Savannah lane?
Rate pressure on this corridor follows the logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices calendar. October-December: Retail peak. Dry van capacity tightens nationally ahead of the holidays — booking two or more weeks out is the difference between a normal rate and a scramble. July: Most auto plants take summer shutdown, so parts freight on this corridor drops off predictably for a few weeks and capacity loosens with it. March-October: Construction season. Flatbed and step-deck demand climbs with the building calendar and stays elevated until the first hard freeze. Two habits that help regardless of season — book mid-week rather than Friday afternoon, and give more than 48 hours notice. Last-minute Friday pickups are where shippers overpay most consistently.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Savannah
Tell us what you are moving on the Memphis–Savannah corridor and we will source an FMCSA-verified carrier that fits the commodity, the timing and the budget. We check authority, insurance and safety record before a truck is ever assigned to your freight. Free quote, no obligation.
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