Freight Shipping from Pittsburgh to Memphis
Ship freight from Pittsburgh, PA to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,843-$2,271, LTL from $671-$1,128. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
857 mi
Drive Time
16 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,843-$2,271
LTL Rate Est.
$671-$1,128
Pittsburgh to Memphis Freight Corridor
Pittsburgh has reinvented itself from bulk steel to high-tech manufacturing, but freight still flows heavy from this river city. U.S. Steel and PPG Industries maintain headquarters here, and the three-river confluence creates the nation's second-busiest inland port by tonnage. The emerging autonomous vehicle corridor — Aurora, Argo AI, and Carnegie Mellon's robotics spinoffs — adds a new class of high-value, specialized freight moving between testing facilities and manufacturing partners.
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 Pittsburgh-to-Memphis corridor spans 857 miles via I-76, I-79, I-40, I-55. This lane connects advanced manufacturing and robotics & ai freight from the Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh's economy is driven by advanced manufacturing, robotics & ai, healthcare, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
specialty steel
industrial equipment
medical devices
autonomous vehicle components
glass products
chemicals
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Pittsburgh.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Pittsburgh 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.
$1,843-$2,271 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.
$2,442-$3,128 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,700-$3,642 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.
$671-$1,128 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Pittsburgh to Memphis lane (857 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,843-$2,271 | 16 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $671-$1,128 | 18-20 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,785-$3,857 | 10 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,157-$1,585 | 19-21 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Pittsburgh and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
U.S. Steel (HQ)
PPG Industries (HQ)
UPMC Health System
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Pittsburgh to Memphis
Pittsburgh Seasonal Advisory
Construction season (April-November) drives the strongest demand for steel and building materials freight. Natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale region generates year-round oilfield equipment moves, with spikes when new wells are permitted.
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.
Overnight Transit
This 857-mile route typically requires one overnight stop for a solo driver. Schedule pickup before noon for next-day delivery in most cases.
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.
Pittsburgh to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Pittsburgh to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Pittsburgh, PA to Memphis, TN currently range from $1,843-$2,271 for a standard dry van load over the 857-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $671-$1,128 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 Pittsburgh to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Pittsburgh to Memphis is approximately 16 hrs by truck over 857 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 Pittsburgh to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Pittsburgh commonly ships specialty steel, industrial equipment, medical devices, 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 Pittsburgh?
Yes. Memphis is a strong outbound market shipping e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton. Carriers returning from Memphis to Pittsburgh can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Pittsburgh-to-Memphis lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Pittsburgh to Memphis?
The Pittsburgh-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Pittsburgh's top outbound commodities include specialty steel, industrial equipment, medical devices, autonomous vehicle components, glass products, chemicals. 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 advanced manufacturing and robotics & AI from Pittsburgh and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
Get Exact Rates for Pittsburgh to Memphis
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