Freight Shipping from Ontario to Memphis
Ship freight from Ontario, CA to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,380-$5,398, LTL from $1,320-$2,131. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,037 mi
Drive Time
37 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,380-$5,398
LTL Rate Est.
$1,320-$2,131
Energy & Chemicals Route
Ontario → Memphis Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
74–88
running this lane
Weekly Loads
86–107
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.67
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
$23–$38 one-way passing through CA, TN, OK, NM. 5 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.
Ontario to Memphis Freight Corridor
Ontario is the logistics epicenter of the Inland Empire, anchored by Ontario International Airport's massive air cargo operations and surrounded by over 100 million square feet of warehouse and distribution space. The city's position at the I-10/I-15 junction makes it the primary distribution gateway for goods flowing from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach into the national supply chain. Amazon, UPS, and FedEx all maintain major sort and fulfillment facilities here, and the region's lower costs compared to coastal LA have driven explosive warehouse development.
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 Ontario-to-Memphis corridor spans 2,037 miles via I-10, I-15, I-40, I-55. This lane connects logistics & warehousing and air cargo (ont airport) freight from the Ontario 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 Ontario
Ontario's economy is driven by logistics & warehousing, air cargo (ont airport), e-commerce fulfillment, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
e-commerce shipments
consumer goods
processed foods
building materials
electronics
apparel
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Ontario.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Ontario 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.
$4,380-$5,398 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.
$5,805-$7,435 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$6,417-$8,657 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.
$1,320-$2,131 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Ontario to Memphis lane (2,037 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,380-$5,398 | 37 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,320-$2,131 | 39-41 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $6,620-$9,167 | 25 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,750-$3,768 | 40-42 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Ontario and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon ONT Fulfillment Network
UPS Ontario Hub
FedEx Ground Ontario
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Ontario to Memphis
Ontario Seasonal Advisory
E-commerce fulfillment peaks dramatically during Q4 holidays. Air cargo at ONT surges during holiday season and Valentine's Day (flower imports). Construction freight is year-round due to the Inland Empire's rapid residential development.
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 2,037 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 37 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 Ontario and Memphis — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Ontario, CA
- Metro Population
- 185K city (part of Inland Empire)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-10, I-15, SR-60
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF San Bernardino Intermodal (10 mi); UP ICTF Los Angeles (50 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Ontario Ranch/I-15 South, Haven Ave/I-10 Corridor, Milliken Ave Industrial
“Ontario is the single best place in Southern California to find outbound loads. The concentration of distribution centers means carriers can often pick up loads within minutes of delivering, making it the preferred staging area for owner-operators working the SoCal market. The key is arriving early — the best loads post between 6-8 AM.”
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 Ontario 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
Ontario to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Ontario to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Ontario, CA to Memphis, TN currently range $4,380-$5,398 (roughly $2.18-$2.67 per mile over 2,037 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,320-$2,131 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 Ontario to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Ontario to Memphis is approximately 37 hrs by truck over 2,037 miles, with 5 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 BNSF San Bernardino Intermodal (10 mi) to BNSF Memphis Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Ontario to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Ontario commonly ships e-commerce shipments, consumer goods, processed foods, 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 Ontario?
Moderate backhaul (scored 63/100 based on Memphis's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Memphis to Ontario 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 Ontario to Memphis?
The Ontario-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Energy & Chemicals Route. Ontario's top outbound commodities include e-commerce shipments, consumer goods, processed foods, building materials, electronics, apparel. 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 logistics & warehousing and air cargo (ONT airport) from Ontario and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
When are rates highest on the Ontario to Memphis lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to logistics & warehousing and air cargo (ONT airport) 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.
Should I use team drivers for the Ontario to Memphis lane?
At 2,037 miles, this route exceeds a solo driver's hours-of-service limits and requires at least one 10-hour break, adding roughly 14-18 hours to transit. Team drivers typically deliver in 22-26 hours — nearly half the solo transit — at a 20-35% rate premium. For time-critical freight over 1,200 miles, teams generally pay for themselves.
Get Exact Rates for Ontario to Memphis
We maintain working relationships with 74+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Ontario–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