Freight Shipping from Milwaukee to Memphis
Ship freight from Milwaukee, WI to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,557-$1,919, LTL from $598-$1,015. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
724 mi
Drive Time
13 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,557-$1,919
LTL Rate Est.
$598-$1,015
Consumer Goods Corridor
Milwaukee → Memphis Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
166–191
running this lane
Weekly Loads
228–244
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
65/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$12–$20 one-way passing through WI, TN, KY, IN, IL, MO. 1 typical fuel stop 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.
Milwaukee to Memphis Freight Corridor
Milwaukee is a manufacturing powerhouse that punches well above its population weight in freight generation. Rockwell Automation, Harley-Davidson, GE Healthcare, and Briggs & Stratton all maintain major operations here, creating a diverse mix of industrial freight that includes everything from motorcycles to MRI machines. The city's position on I-94 between Chicago and Minneapolis places it on one of the Midwest's highest-volume freight corridors, while the Port of Milwaukee provides Great Lakes shipping access for bulk commodities.
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.
The Milwaukee-to-Memphis corridor spans 724 miles via I-94, I-43, I-40, I-55. This lane connects manufacturing (engines, controls) and brewing & food processing freight from the Milwaukee market to logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices demand in Memphis. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Milwaukee
Milwaukee's economy is driven by manufacturing (engines, controls), brewing & food processing, healthcare, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
engines & power systems (Briggs & Stratton)
electrical controls (Rockwell)
processed foods & beverages
industrial machinery
medical devices
paper products
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Milwaukee.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Milwaukee and Memphis, 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.
$1,557-$1,919 estimated for this lane
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Required for temperature-sensitive freight including fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Maintains precise temperature control throughout transit.
$1,919-$2,425 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.
$2,063-$2,643 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,281-$3,077 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Milwaukee to Memphis lane (724 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,557-$1,919 | 13 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $598-$1,015 | 15-17 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,353-$3,258 | 9 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $977-$1,339 | 16-18 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Milwaukee and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Rockwell Automation (HQ)
Harley-Davidson (HQ)
Kohl's (Menomonee Falls)
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Milwaukee to Memphis
Milwaukee Seasonal Advisory
Manufacturing runs year-round with summer maintenance shutdowns at some plants. Harley-Davidson production peaks in spring for summer riding season deliveries. Kohl's distribution surges during Q4 holiday season. Lake Michigan port operations shut down mid-December through mid-March due to ice.
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.
Overnight Transit
This 724-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 Milwaukee and Memphis — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Milwaukee, WI
- Metro Population
- 1.6M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.05-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-94, I-43, I-894
- Rail / Intermodal
- Union Pacific Global III (Rochelle — 70 mi); Canadian Pacific Milwaukee Yard
- Port Access
- Port of Milwaukee (Lake Michigan, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Menomonee Falls/I-41 North, Oak Creek/I-94 South, New Berlin/I-43 West
“Milwaukee's proximity to Chicago (90 miles south on I-94) creates a freight dynamic where many carriers treat the two cities as a single market. Smart operators use Milwaukee as a staging area to avoid Chicago's notorious congestion and detention, picking up loads here that pay nearly as well without the headaches.”
Destination
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.”
Return Loads from Memphis
Backhaul from Memphis to Milwaukee requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Memphis
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Milwaukee to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Milwaukee to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Milwaukee, WI to Memphis, TN currently range $1,557-$1,919 (roughly $2.18-$2.66 per mile over 724 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $598-$1,015 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 Milwaukee to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Milwaukee to Memphis is approximately 13 hrs by truck over 724 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 Union Pacific Global III (Rochelle — 70 mi) to BNSF Memphis Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Milwaukee to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Milwaukee commonly ships engines & power systems (Briggs & Stratton), electrical controls (Rockwell), processed foods & beverages, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Memphis commonly receives e-commerce packages (FedEx), consumer goods, raw cotton. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Memphis to Milwaukee?
Moderate backhaul (scored 65/100 based on Memphis's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Memphis to Milwaukee requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Memphis's top outbound commodities — e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Milwaukee to Memphis?
The Milwaukee-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Milwaukee's top outbound commodities include engines & power systems (Briggs & Stratton), electrical controls (Rockwell), processed foods & beverages, industrial machinery, medical devices, paper products. Memphis's primary inbound freight includes e-commerce packages (FedEx), consumer goods, raw cotton, steel & metals, petroleum products, agricultural inputs. Industries driving this lane include manufacturing (engines, controls) and brewing & food processing from Milwaukee and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
When are rates highest on the Milwaukee to Memphis lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to manufacturing (engines, controls) and brewing & food processing cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); 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.
Get Exact Rates for Milwaukee to Memphis
We maintain working relationships with 166+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Milwaukee–Memphis 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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