Freight Shipping from Memphis to Wichita
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Wichita, KS with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,232-$1,518, LTL from $515-$887. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
573 mi
Drive Time
10 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,232-$1,518
LTL Rate Est.
$515-$887
Fresh Food Lane
Memphis → Wichita Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
160–176
running this lane
Weekly Loads
85–101
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.68
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
58/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$10–$17 one-way passing through TN, KS, IL, MO, OK. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Mon AM, Fri PM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Memphis to Wichita 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.
Wichita builds more aircraft than any other city in the world. Spirit AeroSystems fabricates fuselages for Boeing 737s and 787s, Textron assembles Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft, and the surrounding supply chain creates one of the most specialized freight markets in the country. Aircraft fuselage sections moving from Wichita to Boeing's Seattle and Charleston assembly lines are among the most valuable individual truckloads on American highways, each worth tens of millions of dollars.
The Memphis-to-Wichita corridor spans 573 miles via I-40, I-55, I-35, I-135. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to aerospace manufacturing and aircraft assembly demand in Wichita. 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 Wichita Receives
Wichita's aerospace manufacturing, aircraft assembly, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
aluminum & composites
aircraft engines
avionics systems
hydraulic components
steel tubing
electronic wire harnesses
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Wichita, 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.
$1,232-$1,518 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.
$1,633-$2,091 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.
$515-$887 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Wichita lane (573 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,232-$1,518 | 10 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $515-$887 | 12-14 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,862-$2,579 | 7 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $774-$1,060 | 13-15 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Wichita that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Spirit AeroSystems
Textron Aviation (Cessna/Beechcraft)
Bombardier Learjet
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Wichita
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.
Wichita Seasonal Advisory
Wheat harvest (June-July) creates intense but brief demand for grain trucks. Aerospace manufacturing maintains steady production schedules year-round. Oil field service activity fluctuates with crude prices, adding or subtracting flatbed demand.
Overnight Transit
This 573-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 Wichita — 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
Wichita, KS
- Metro Population
- 647K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-35, I-135, US-54/400
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Wichita Terminal
- Warehouse Districts
- South Wichita/McConnell AFB area, Park City/I-135 North
“Aircraft fuselage shipments from Spirit AeroSystems to Boeing travel on custom-designed "dreamlifter" trailers or oversize flatbeds with elaborate protective fixturing. These loads move on dedicated lanes with pre-surveyed routes, and carriers earn premium rates that reflect the catastrophic cost of any transit damage.”
Return Loads from Wichita
Backhaul from Wichita to Memphis requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Wichita
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Memphis to Wichita Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Wichita?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Wichita, KS currently range $1,232-$1,518 (roughly $2.18-$2.68 per mile over 573 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $515-$887 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced 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 Wichita?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Wichita is approximately 10 hrs by truck over 573 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 BNSF Wichita Terminal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Memphis to Wichita 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. Wichita commonly receives aluminum & composites, aircraft engines, avionics systems. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Wichita to Memphis?
Moderate backhaul (scored 58/100 based on Wichita's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Wichita to Memphis requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Wichita's top outbound commodities — business jets & aircraft, aircraft components, wheat & grain — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Memphis to Wichita?
The Memphis-to-Wichita corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Wichita's primary inbound freight includes aluminum & composites, aircraft engines, avionics systems, hydraulic components, steel tubing, electronic wire harnesses. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and aerospace manufacturing and aircraft assembly in Wichita.
When are rates highest on the Memphis to Wichita lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices cycles. Key periods: 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, Mon AM, Fri PM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Wichita
We maintain working relationships with 160+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Memphis–Wichita 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