Freight Shipping from Minneapolis to Memphis
Ship freight from Minneapolis, MN to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,957-$2,412, LTL from $701-$1,174. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
910 mi
Drive Time
17 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,957-$2,412
LTL Rate Est.
$701-$1,174
Minneapolis to Memphis Freight Corridor
Minneapolis-St. Paul is the Upper Midwest's dominant freight hub, anchored by Fortune 500 shippers like Target, General Mills, 3M, and Medtronic. Target's distribution network alone generates thousands of truckloads weekly from its Midwest DCs. The Twin Cities' position at the intersection of I-94 and I-35 makes it the natural routing point for freight moving between Chicago, the Dakotas, and the Canadian border.
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 Minneapolis-to-Memphis corridor spans 910 miles via I-94, I-35, I-40, I-55. This lane connects food processing & cpg and medical devices freight from the Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis
Minneapolis's economy is driven by food processing & cpg, medical devices, retail headquarters, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
processed foods & cereal
medical devices
retail distribution
agricultural products
machinery
printed materials
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Minneapolis.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Minneapolis 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.
$1,957-$2,412 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.
$2,594-$3,322 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,867-$3,868 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.
$701-$1,174 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Minneapolis to Memphis lane (910 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,957-$2,412 | 17 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $701-$1,174 | 19-21 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,958-$4,095 | 11 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,229-$1,684 | 20-22 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Minneapolis and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
General Mills
Target Corporation
Medtronic
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Minneapolis to Memphis
Minneapolis Seasonal Advisory
Harvest season (September-November) floods the market with grain trucks competing for capacity on I-94 and I-35. Winter weather from November through March regularly shuts down I-94 westbound, creating rate spikes and transit delays.
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 910-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.
Minneapolis to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Minneapolis to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Minneapolis, MN to Memphis, TN currently range from $1,957-$2,412 for a standard dry van load over the 910-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $701-$1,174 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 Minneapolis to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Minneapolis to Memphis is approximately 17 hrs by truck over 910 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 Minneapolis to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Minneapolis commonly ships processed foods & cereal, medical devices, retail distribution, 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 Minneapolis?
Yes. Memphis is a strong outbound market shipping e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton. Carriers returning from Memphis to Minneapolis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Minneapolis-to-Memphis lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Minneapolis to Memphis?
The Minneapolis-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Minneapolis's top outbound commodities include processed foods & cereal, medical devices, retail distribution, agricultural products, machinery, printed materials. 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 food processing & CPG and medical devices from Minneapolis and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
Get Exact Rates for Minneapolis to Memphis
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