Freight Shipping from Memphis to Tulsa
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Tulsa, OK with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $952-$1,174, LTL from $444-$777. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
443 mi
Drive Time
8 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$952-$1,174
LTL Rate Est.
$444-$777
Memphis to Tulsa 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.
Tulsa is the aerospace maintenance capital of the central U.S., with American Airlines operating its largest MRO facility here — capable of servicing widebody aircraft. The Port of Catoosa, America's most inland river port, connects Tulsa to the Gulf of Mexico via the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, enabling barge-to-truck transloading for heavy industrial freight. The city's legacy oil refining infrastructure creates steady tanker and hazmat volumes.
The Memphis-to-Tulsa corridor spans 443 miles via I-40, I-55, I-44, US-75. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to aerospace manufacturing and energy demand in Tulsa. 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 Tulsa Receives
Tulsa's aerospace manufacturing, energy, steel fabrication sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
crude oil
raw steel
aircraft sub-assemblies
chemicals
electronic components
packaging materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Tulsa, 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.
$952-$1,174 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.
$1,263-$1,617 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,395-$1,883 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.
$444-$777 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Tulsa lane (443 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $952-$1,174 | 8 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $444-$777 | 10-12 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,440-$1,994 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Tulsa that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
American Airlines Maintenance Base
NORDAM Group
Holly Frontier Refining
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Tulsa
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.
Tulsa Seasonal Advisory
Aerospace MRO work peaks during winter when airlines pull aircraft from service for heavy maintenance checks. Refinery output is steady but turnaround seasons (spring and fall) temporarily reduce outbound tanker volumes while increasing inbound equipment freight.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 443 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 Tulsa Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Tulsa?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Tulsa, OK currently range from $952-$1,174 for a standard dry van load over the 443-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $444-$777 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 Tulsa?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Tulsa is approximately 8 hrs by truck over 443 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 Tulsa 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. Tulsa commonly receives crude oil, raw steel, aircraft sub-assemblies. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Tulsa to Memphis?
Yes. Tulsa is a strong outbound market shipping aircraft components, refined fuels, steel pipe & fittings. Carriers returning from Tulsa to Memphis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Memphis-to-Tulsa lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Memphis to Tulsa?
The Memphis-to-Tulsa corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Tulsa's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, raw steel, aircraft sub-assemblies, chemicals, electronic components, packaging materials. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and aerospace manufacturing and energy in Tulsa.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Tulsa
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