Freight Shipping from Memphis to Wilmington
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Wilmington, DE with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,391-$2,947, LTL from $812-$1,345. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,112 mi
Drive Time
20 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,391-$2,947
LTL Rate Est.
$812-$1,345
Memphis to Wilmington 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.
Wilmington punches far above its size thanks to Delaware's corporate-friendly laws that have attracted over a million business registrations. More practically for freight, the city's chemical heritage (DuPont was founded here in 1802) means the region has deep infrastructure for hazmat transportation, including specialized tank wash facilities, chemical storage terminals, and a carrier base experienced in RCRA and DOT hazmat compliance. The Port of Wilmington is the top banana-importing port in North America.
The Memphis-to-Wilmington corridor spans 1,112 miles via I-40, I-55, I-95, I-495. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis market to pharmaceuticals and chemical manufacturing demand in Wilmington. 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 Wilmington Receives
Wilmington's pharmaceuticals, chemical manufacturing, financial services sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
chemical feedstocks
packaging materials
laboratory equipment
office supplies
consumer goods
raw materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis and Wilmington, 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.
$2,391-$2,947 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.
$3,169-$4,059 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.
$812-$1,345 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Wilmington lane (1,112 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,391-$2,947 | 20 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $812-$1,345 | 22-24 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,614-$5,004 | 13 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,501-$2,057 | 23-25 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Memphis and Wilmington that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
AstraZeneca
DuPont (now Corteva/IFF)
Chemours
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Wilmington
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.
Wilmington Seasonal Advisory
Banana imports through the Port of Wilmington are year-round but peak in summer. Pharmaceutical shipments maintain steady cadence with slight Q4 increases for flu vaccine distribution. Delmarva poultry production peaks ahead of summer grilling season.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,112 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 20 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.
Memphis to Wilmington Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Wilmington?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Wilmington, DE currently range from $2,391-$2,947 for a standard dry van load over the 1,112-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $812-$1,345 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 Wilmington?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Wilmington is approximately 20 hrs by truck over 1,112 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Memphis to Wilmington 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. Wilmington commonly receives chemical feedstocks, packaging materials, laboratory equipment. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Wilmington to Memphis?
Yes. Wilmington is a strong outbound market shipping pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, financial documents. Carriers returning from Wilmington to Memphis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Memphis-to-Wilmington lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Memphis to Wilmington?
The Memphis-to-Wilmington corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. Wilmington's primary inbound freight includes chemical feedstocks, packaging materials, laboratory equipment, office supplies, consumer goods, raw materials. Industries driving this lane include logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and pharmaceuticals and chemical manufacturing in Wilmington.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Wilmington
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