Freight Shipping from Norfolk to Memphis
Ship freight from Norfolk, VA to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,174-$2,679, LTL from $756-$1,259. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,011 mi
Drive Time
18 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,174-$2,679
LTL Rate Est.
$756-$1,259
Consumer Goods Corridor
Norfolk → Memphis Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
159–183
running this lane
Weekly Loads
231–246
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
66/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$9–$15 one-way passing through VA, TN, KY, MO, SC, NC. 2 typical fuel stops 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.
Norfolk to Memphis Freight Corridor
Norfolk is the East Coast's deepest natural harbor and home to the Port of Virginia — the third-largest container port in the U.S. and the only East Coast port with 55-foot channels capable of handling fully loaded ultra-large container vessels at any tide. Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval base, generates enormous military logistics volume. Huntington Ingalls' Newport News Shipyard builds America's aircraft carriers and submarines, creating specialized oversize freight that moves nowhere else 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 Norfolk-to-Memphis corridor spans 1,011 miles via I-64, I-264, I-40, I-55. This lane connects military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics freight from the Norfolk 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 Norfolk
Norfolk's economy is driven by military & naval operations, port & maritime logistics, shipbuilding, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
containerized exports
coal
soybeans & grain
tobacco
military equipment
forest products
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Norfolk.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Norfolk 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.
$2,174-$2,679 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.
$2,881-$3,690 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,185-$4,297 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.
$756-$1,259 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Norfolk to Memphis lane (1,011 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,174-$2,679 | 18 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $756-$1,259 | 20-22 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,286-$4,550 | 12 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,365-$1,870 | 21-23 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Norfolk and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Naval Station Norfolk (world's largest naval base)
Huntington Ingalls Industries (Newport News Shipbuilding)
Virginia Port Authority
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Norfolk to Memphis
Norfolk Seasonal Advisory
Import container volumes peak August through November during retail peak season. Coal exports fluctuate with global energy demand and Asian steel production. Military freight is steady year-round but surges during deployment cycles and fleet maintenance periods.
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 1,011 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 18 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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Norfolk and Memphis — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Norfolk, VA
- Metro Population
- 1.8M metro (Hampton Roads)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-64, I-264, I-664
- Rail / Intermodal
- Norfolk International Terminals (NIT); Virginia Inland Port (Front Royal); Norfolk Southern Lamberts Point Coal Terminal
- Port Access
- Port of Virginia — Norfolk (Chesapeake Bay/Atlantic, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Chesapeake/I-64 South, Suffolk/US-58 West, Portsmouth/I-264 Corridor
“The Port of Virginia's inland port network extends the port's reach 220 miles west to Front Royal via daily Norfolk Southern rail service, allowing containers to clear customs inland and reducing drayage congestion. Carriers who serve the inland port system access loads that bypass the congested Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel entirely.”
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 Norfolk 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
Norfolk to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Norfolk to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Norfolk, VA to Memphis, TN currently range $2,174-$2,679 (roughly $2.18-$2.66 per mile over 1,011 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $756-$1,259 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 Norfolk to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Norfolk to Memphis is approximately 18 hrs by truck over 1,011 miles, with 2 typical fuel stops 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service via Norfolk International Terminals (NIT) to BNSF Memphis Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Norfolk to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Norfolk commonly ships containerized exports, coal, soybeans & grain, 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 Norfolk?
Moderate backhaul (scored 66/100 based on Memphis's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Memphis to Norfolk 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 Norfolk to Memphis?
The Norfolk-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Norfolk's top outbound commodities include containerized exports, coal, soybeans & grain, tobacco, military equipment, forest 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 military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics from Norfolk and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
When are rates highest on the Norfolk to Memphis lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to military & naval operations and port & maritime logistics 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 Norfolk to Memphis
We maintain working relationships with 159+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Norfolk–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