Freight Shipping from Nashville to Knoxville
Ship freight from Nashville, TN to Knoxville, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $449-$554, LTL from $315-$578. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
209 mi
Drive Time
4 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$449-$554
LTL Rate Est.
$315-$578
Nashville to Knoxville Freight Corridor
Nashville has emerged as one of America's fastest-growing freight markets, fueled by explosive population growth and a diversified economy anchored by healthcare and automotive. Nissan's Smyrna assembly plant — the most productive auto plant in North America — builds 640,000+ vehicles annually, while HCA Healthcare's headquarters drives medical supply distribution across 180+ hospitals. The I-40/I-65/I-24 triple junction gives Nashville reach to virtually every major market east of the Rockies.
Knoxville commands the junction of I-40 and I-75, two of the most heavily trafficked freight corridors in the eastern United States. The Tennessee Valley Authority's headquarters drives energy infrastructure freight, while Japanese automotive suppliers like Denso maintain major manufacturing operations in the surrounding counties. The Great Smoky Mountains to the southeast create a natural bottleneck that funnels east-west freight through the Knoxville corridor.
The Nashville-to-Knoxville corridor spans 209 miles via I-40. This lane connects healthcare and music & entertainment freight from the Nashville market to energy (tva) and automotive parts demand in Knoxville. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Nashville
Nashville's economy is driven by healthcare, music & entertainment, automotive manufacturing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
healthcare products
automotive parts (Nissan)
consumer goods
publishing & media
processed foods
building materials
What Knoxville Receives
Knoxville's energy (tva), automotive parts, advanced manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Nashville.
raw metals
automotive sub-assemblies
consumer goods
chemicals
fuel products
construction materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Nashville and Knoxville, 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.
$449-$554 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.
$596-$763 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$658-$888 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.
$315-$578 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Nashville to Knoxville lane (209 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $449-$554 | 4 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $315-$578 | 6-8 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $679-$941 | 3 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Nashville and Knoxville that drive volume on this lane.
Nissan North America (HQ & Smyrna Plant)
HCA Healthcare (HQ)
Bridgestone Americas (HQ)
Tennessee Valley Authority (HQ)
Denso Manufacturing (Maryville)
Bush Brothers & Company
Shipping Tips for Nashville to Knoxville
Nashville Seasonal Advisory
Nissan production runs year-round with brief shutdowns in July and December. Healthcare supply distribution peaks during flu season (October-March). The massive construction boom for Nashville's growth creates steady building material demand March through November.
Knoxville Seasonal Advisory
Automotive parts production runs steadily year-round with standard July and December shutdowns. University of Tennessee football season (September-November) creates unusual local delivery surges. Coal freight has declined but still moves consistently to TVA plants.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 209 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.
Nashville to Knoxville Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Nashville to Knoxville?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Nashville, TN to Knoxville, TN currently range from $449-$554 for a standard dry van load over the 209-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $315-$578 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 Nashville to Knoxville?
Standard FTL transit from Nashville to Knoxville is approximately 4 hrs by truck over 209 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%.
What equipment do I need for Nashville to Knoxville freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Nashville commonly ships healthcare products, automotive parts (Nissan), consumer goods, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Knoxville commonly receives raw metals, automotive sub-assemblies, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Knoxville to Nashville?
Yes. Knoxville is a strong outbound market shipping automotive components, coal, aluminum products. Carriers returning from Knoxville to Nashville can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Nashville-to-Knoxville lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Nashville to Knoxville?
The Nashville-to-Knoxville corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Nashville's top outbound commodities include healthcare products, automotive parts (Nissan), consumer goods, publishing & media, processed foods, building materials. Knoxville's primary inbound freight includes raw metals, automotive sub-assemblies, consumer goods, chemicals, fuel products, construction materials. Industries driving this lane include healthcare and music & entertainment from Nashville and energy (TVA) and automotive parts in Knoxville.
Get Exact Rates for Nashville to Knoxville
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Nashville to Knoxville lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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