Freight Shipping from New York City to Memphis
Ship freight from New York City, NY to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,664-$3,283, LTL from $881-$1,453. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,239 mi
Drive Time
23 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,664-$3,283
LTL Rate Est.
$881-$1,453
New York City to Memphis Freight Corridor
New York City is the largest consumer freight market in the Western Hemisphere, with 20+ million metro residents requiring over 1 billion pounds of food per week alone. Hunts Point Market in the Bronx is the world's largest wholesale produce, meat, and fish distribution center. The city's extreme density, bridge and tunnel tolls, and strict delivery-hour regulations make NYC the most challenging — and highest-paying — last-mile delivery market in the country.
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 New York City-to-Memphis corridor spans 1,239 miles via I-95, I-278 (BQE), I-40, I-55. This lane connects financial services and media & publishing freight from the New York City 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 New York City
New York City's economy is driven by financial services, media & publishing, fashion & apparel, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
printed materials
fashion & apparel
financial documents
media equipment
recycled materials
food products
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like New York City.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between New York City 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.
$2,664-$3,283 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.
$3,531-$4,522 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,903-$5,266 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.
$881-$1,453 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the New York City to Memphis lane (1,239 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,664-$3,283 | 23 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $881-$1,453 | 25-27 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $4,027-$5,576 | 15 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,673-$2,292 | 26-28 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both New York City and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Hunts Point Produce Market
FreshDirect
Amazon NYC Fulfillment
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for New York City to Memphis
New York City Seasonal Advisory
Holiday season (November-December) overwhelms the city's limited loading dock capacity, with delivery appointment wait times exceeding 6 hours at major retailers. Restaurant supply freight surges during summer outdoor dining season (May-September).
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.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,239 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 23 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
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.
New York City to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from New York City to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from New York City, NY to Memphis, TN currently range from $2,664-$3,283 for a standard dry van load over the 1,239-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $881-$1,453 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 New York City to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from New York City to Memphis is approximately 23 hrs by truck over 1,239 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 New York City to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. New York City commonly ships printed materials, fashion & apparel, financial documents, 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 New York City?
Yes. Memphis is a strong outbound market shipping e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton. Carriers returning from Memphis to New York City can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the New York City-to-Memphis lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from New York City to Memphis?
The New York City-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix. New York City's top outbound commodities include printed materials, fashion & apparel, financial documents, media equipment, recycled materials, food 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 financial services and media & publishing from New York City and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
Get Exact Rates for New York City to Memphis
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the New York City to Memphis lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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