Freight Shipping from Memphis to Tacoma
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Tacoma, WA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $5,205-$6,416, LTL from $1,532-$2,458. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,421 mi
Drive Time
44 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$5,205-$6,416
LTL Rate Est.
$1,532-$2,458
Consumer Goods Corridor
Memphis → Tacoma Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
96–120
running this lane
Weekly Loads
106–122
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
82/100
Excellent
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$35–$59 one-way passing through TN, WA, IL, MO, OK, NM. 6 typical fuel stops 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 Tacoma 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.
Tacoma is the southern anchor of the Northwest Seaport Alliance, handling the bulk of container vessel calls for the Pacific Northwest. The Port of Tacoma's deep-water terminals process millions of TEUs annually, with direct rail connections to BNSF's transcontinental network. Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the largest military installation on the West Coast, generates substantial defense logistics freight including vehicle movements, equipment deployments, and supply chain operations.
The Memphis-to-Tacoma corridor spans 2,421 miles via I-40, I-55, I-5, SR-16. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to port logistics and military (joint base lewis-mcchord) demand in Tacoma. 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 Tacoma Receives
Tacoma's port logistics, military (joint base lewis-mcchord), manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
containerized imports (Asia)
vehicles
petroleum products
construction materials
military supplies
consumer goods
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Tacoma, 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.
$5,205-$6,416 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.
$6,900-$8,837 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$7,626-$10,289 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.
$1,532-$2,458 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Tacoma lane (2,421 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $5,205-$6,416 | 44 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,532-$2,458 | 46-48 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $7,868-$10,895 | 29 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $3,268-$4,479 | 47-49 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Tacoma that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Port of Tacoma / NW Seaport Alliance
Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Simpson Tacoma Kraft
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Tacoma
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.
Tacoma Seasonal Advisory
Container import volumes peak mid-summer through early fall for holiday retail inventory. Military freight follows deployment and exercise schedules at JBLM. Grain export season (August-November) from eastern Washington drives heavy truck-to-ship transfers at the port.
Consider Team Drivers
At 2,421 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 44 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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Memphis and Tacoma — 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
Tacoma, WA
- Metro Population
- 920K metro (Pierce County)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-5, SR-16, SR-167
- Rail / Intermodal
- Port of Tacoma Intermodal Yard; BNSF South Tacoma Yard
- Port Access
- Port of Tacoma / Northwest Seaport Alliance (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Port of Tacoma/Tideflats, Fredrickson/I-5 South, Fife/SR-167 Corridor
“The Tacoma Tideflats industrial area is one of the densest freight zones on the West Coast, with port terminals, rail yards, and warehouses packed into a small area. Carriers who master the local routing through this zone — avoiding the chronic congestion on SR-509 — gain a significant time advantage on port drayage runs.”
Return Loads from Tacoma
Tacoma 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 Tacoma
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 Tacoma Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Tacoma?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Tacoma, WA currently range $5,205-$6,416 (roughly $2.16-$2.67 per mile over 2,421 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,532-$2,458 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 Tacoma?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Tacoma is approximately 44 hrs by truck over 2,421 miles, with 6 typical fuel stops 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 Port of Tacoma Intermodal Yard takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Memphis to Tacoma 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. Tacoma commonly receives containerized imports (Asia), vehicles, petroleum products. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Tacoma to Memphis?
Excellent backhaul (scored 82/100 based on Tacoma's outbound commodity mix). Tacoma 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. Tacoma's top outbound commodities — containerized exports (grain, hay), lumber & wood products, military equipment — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Memphis to Tacoma?
The Memphis-to-Tacoma corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Tacoma's primary inbound freight includes containerized imports (Asia), vehicles, petroleum products, construction materials, military supplies, consumer goods. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and port logistics and military (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) in Tacoma.
What tolls should I expect on the Memphis to Tacoma route?
Expect roughly $35-$59 in tolls round-trip passing through TN, WA, IL, MO, OK, NM. Most rate quotes either include tolls in the line-haul or bill them as a separate pass-through — ask your dispatcher to confirm which model applies to your lane.
When are rates highest on the Memphis to Tacoma 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.
Should I use team drivers for the Memphis to Tacoma lane?
At 2,421 miles, this route exceeds a solo driver's hours-of-service limits and requires at least one 10-hour break, adding roughly 14-18 hours to transit. Team drivers typically deliver in 26-31 hours — nearly half the solo transit — at a 20-35% rate premium. For time-critical freight over 1,200 miles, teams generally pay for themselves.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Tacoma
We maintain working relationships with 96+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Memphis–Tacoma corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
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