Freight Shipping from Mobile to Memphis
Ship freight from Mobile, AL to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $920-$1,134, LTL from $435-$764. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
428 mi
Drive Time
8 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$920-$1,134
LTL Rate Est.
$435-$764
Consumer Goods Corridor
Mobile → Memphis Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
164–184
running this lane
Weekly Loads
86–102
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
63/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$3–$4 one-way passing through AL, TN. 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.
Mobile to Memphis Freight Corridor
Mobile is the Gulf Coast's overlooked freight powerhouse. The Port of Mobile handles 60+ million tons annually and the Airbus A320 final assembly line creates a unique mix of containerized imports, oversize aerospace cargo, and bulk commodities. The AM/NS Calvert steel mill (a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel) is one of the most advanced in North America, generating heavy flatbed volume on I-65 northbound.
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 Mobile-to-Memphis corridor spans 428 miles via I-10, I-65, I-40, I-55. This lane connects shipbuilding and petrochemicals freight from the Mobile 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 Mobile
Mobile's economy is driven by shipbuilding, petrochemicals, aerospace assembly, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
lumber & timber
petrochemicals
aircraft assemblies
coal exports
paper products
seafood
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Mobile.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Mobile 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.
$920-$1,134 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.
$1,134-$1,434 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.
$1,220-$1,562 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,348-$1,819 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Mobile to Memphis lane (428 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $920-$1,134 | 8 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $435-$764 | 10-12 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,391-$1,926 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Mobile and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility
Austal USA
AM/NS Calvert Steel
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Mobile to Memphis
Mobile Seasonal Advisory
Hurricane season (June-November) can shut down port operations for days, creating massive post-storm freight surges. Shrimp season drives reefer demand from May through October.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 428 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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Mobile and Memphis — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Mobile, AL
- Metro Population
- 430K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.40/mi
- Key Highways
- I-10, I-65, US-98
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Mobile Terminal; APM Terminals Mobile
- Port Access
- Port of Mobile (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Theodore Industrial Canal, Brookley Aeroplex
“The I-10/I-65 interchange south of Mobile is one of the most capacity-constrained freight corridors on the Gulf Coast. Carriers staging at the port often wait 4-6 hours for container pickup, so smart brokers build dwell time into their rate calculations.”
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 Mobile 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
Mobile to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Mobile to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Mobile, AL to Memphis, TN currently range $920-$1,134 (roughly $2.17-$2.65 per mile over 428 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $435-$764 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 Mobile to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Mobile to Memphis is approximately 8 hrs by truck over 428 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%.
What equipment do I need for Mobile to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Mobile commonly ships lumber & timber, petrochemicals, aircraft assemblies, 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 Mobile?
Moderate backhaul (scored 63/100 based on Memphis's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Memphis to Mobile 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 Mobile to Memphis?
The Mobile-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Mobile's top outbound commodities include lumber & timber, petrochemicals, aircraft assemblies, coal exports, paper products, seafood. 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 shipbuilding and petrochemicals from Mobile and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
When are rates highest on the Mobile to Memphis lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to shipbuilding and petrochemicals 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 Mobile to Memphis
We maintain working relationships with 164+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Mobile–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.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts