Freight Shipping from Nashville to Memphis
Ship freight from Nashville, TN to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $548-$676, LTL from $340-$617. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
255 mi
Drive Time
5 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$548-$676
LTL Rate Est.
$340-$617
Auto Manufacturing Corridor
Nashville → Memphis Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
189–207
running this lane
Weekly Loads
227–242
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
78/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$2–$4 one-way passing through TN, 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.
Nashville to Memphis 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.
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 Nashville-to-Memphis corridor spans 255 miles via I-40. This lane connects healthcare and music & entertainment freight from the Nashville 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 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 Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Nashville.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Nashville 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.
$548-$676 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.
$727-$931 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$803-$1,084 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.
$340-$617 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Nashville to Memphis lane (255 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $548-$676 | 5 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $340-$617 | 7-9 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $829-$1,148 | 3 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Nashville and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Nissan North America (HQ & Smyrna Plant)
HCA Healthcare (HQ)
Bridgestone Americas (HQ)
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Nashville to Memphis
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.
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 255 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 Nashville and Memphis — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Nashville, TN
- Metro Population
- 2.0M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.45/mi
- Key Highways
- I-40, I-65, I-24
- Rail / Intermodal
- CSX Nashville Intermodal; Radnor Yard (Nashville's primary rail facility)
- Warehouse Districts
- La Vergne/I-24 Southeast, Lebanon/I-40 East, Smyrna/I-24 Nissan Corridor
“Nashville's population boom (adding 80+ people per day) has created a permanent imbalance — inbound freight exceeds outbound, meaning carriers delivering to Nashville often face deadhead miles finding loads out. Savvy dispatchers book outbound loads in advance, particularly automotive parts heading to Midwest assembly plants.”
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
Memphis generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Nashville is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Memphis
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Nashville to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Nashville to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Nashville, TN to Memphis, TN currently range $548-$676 (roughly $2.18-$2.66 per mile over 255 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $340-$617 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 Nashville to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Nashville to Memphis is approximately 5 hrs by truck over 255 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 Nashville to Memphis 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. 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 Nashville?
Strong backhaul (scored 78/100 based on Memphis's outbound commodity mix). Memphis generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Nashville is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. 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 Nashville to Memphis?
The Nashville-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Auto Manufacturing Corridor. Nashville's top outbound commodities include healthcare products, automotive parts (Nissan), consumer goods, publishing & media, processed foods, building 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 healthcare and music & entertainment from Nashville and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
When are rates highest on the Nashville to Memphis lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to healthcare and music & entertainment cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); 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.
Can freight from Nashville to Memphis be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 255 miles (5 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Nashville-to-Memphis lane in one shift. Same-day delivery requires booking before 9 AM local time at origin and confirming dock availability at destination. Expedited service runs 4 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Nashville to Memphis
We maintain working relationships with 189+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Nashville–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