Freight Shipping from Memphis to St. Louis
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to St. Louis, MO with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $673-$829, LTL from $372-$666. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
313 mi
Drive Time
6 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$673-$829
LTL Rate Est.
$372-$666
Memphis to St. Louis 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.
St. Louis sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, making it a natural multimodal freight hub where barge, rail, and truck converge. Anheuser-Busch's flagship brewery ships millions of cases weekly on dedicated lane networks. Boeing's defense division in north St. Louis County produces F/A-18 and F-15 fighter jets, generating oversize military cargo requiring specialized flatbed carriers.
The Memphis-to-St. Louis corridor spans 313 miles via I-40, I-55, I-70, I-64. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to beer & beverage and agriculture & food demand in St. Louis. 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 St. Louis Receives
St. Louis's beer & beverage, agriculture & food, defense & aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
raw grain & barley
aluminum cans & packaging
auto parts
consumer goods
industrial chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and St. Louis, 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.
$673-$829 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.
$892-$1,142 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$986-$1,330 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.
$372-$666 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to St. Louis lane (313 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $673-$829 | 6 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $372-$666 | 8-10 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,017-$1,409 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and St. Louis that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Boeing Defense
General Motors (Wentzville)
Shipping Tips for Memphis to St. Louis
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.
St. Louis Seasonal Advisory
Beer shipments surge before major holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Super Bowl). Mississippi River flooding in spring can shut down river terminals and divert barge freight to trucks, causing temporary rate spikes.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 313 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
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 St. Louis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to St. Louis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to St. Louis, MO currently range from $673-$829 for a standard dry van load over the 313-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $372-$666 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 St. Louis?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to St. Louis is approximately 6 hrs by truck over 313 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%.
What equipment do I need for Memphis to St. Louis 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. St. Louis commonly receives raw grain & barley, aluminum cans & packaging, auto parts. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from St. Louis to Memphis?
Yes. St. Louis is a strong outbound market shipping beer & beverages, processed foods, defense equipment. Carriers returning from St. Louis to Memphis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Memphis-to-St. Louis lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Memphis to St. Louis?
The Memphis-to-St. Louis corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. St. Louis's primary inbound freight includes raw grain & barley, aluminum cans & packaging, auto parts, consumer goods, industrial chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and beer & beverage and agriculture & food in St. Louis.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to St. Louis
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