Freight Shipping from Richmond to Memphis
Ship freight from Richmond, VA to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,015-$2,483, LTL from $715-$1,196. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
937 mi
Drive Time
17 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,015-$2,483
LTL Rate Est.
$715-$1,196
Richmond to Memphis Freight Corridor
Richmond is the I-95 corridor's mid-Atlantic distribution sweet spot — equidistant between the Northeast megalopolis and the Southeast's growth markets. Altria Group's massive headquarters and manufacturing complex makes Richmond one of America's top tobacco freight origins, while Performance Food Group's headquarters drives broadline foodservice distribution across the eastern seaboard. The I-95/I-64 junction positions Richmond as a natural redistribution point where north-south and east-west freight flows intersect.
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 Richmond-to-Memphis corridor spans 937 miles via I-95, I-64, I-40, I-55. This lane connects tobacco & consumer products and financial services freight from the Richmond 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 Richmond
Richmond's economy is driven by tobacco & consumer products, financial services, government (state capital), generating consistent outbound freight demand.
cigarettes & tobacco products (Altria)
pharmaceuticals
processed foods
chemicals
paper products
consumer packaged goods
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Richmond.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Richmond 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.
$2,015-$2,483 estimated for this lane
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Required for temperature-sensitive freight including fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Maintains precise temperature control throughout transit.
$2,483-$3,139 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.
$2,670-$3,420 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,952-$3,982 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Richmond to Memphis lane (937 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,015-$2,483 | 17 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $715-$1,196 | 19-21 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,045-$4,217 | 11 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,265-$1,733 | 20-22 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Richmond and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Altria Group (HQ)
CarMax (HQ)
Performance Food Group (HQ)
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Richmond to Memphis
Richmond Seasonal Advisory
Tobacco freight is steady year-round with slight upticks in Q4 for holiday carton sales. Performance Food Group distribution peaks during summer restaurant season and Q4 holiday catering. State government freight follows the legislative session calendar (January-March).
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 937-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.
Richmond to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Richmond to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Richmond, VA to Memphis, TN currently range from $2,015-$2,483 for a standard dry van load over the 937-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $715-$1,196 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 Richmond to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Richmond to Memphis is approximately 17 hrs by truck over 937 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 Richmond to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Richmond commonly ships cigarettes & tobacco products (Altria), pharmaceuticals, 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 Richmond?
Yes. Memphis is a strong outbound market shipping e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton. Carriers returning from Memphis to Richmond can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Richmond-to-Memphis lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Richmond to Memphis?
The Richmond-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Richmond's top outbound commodities include cigarettes & tobacco products (Altria), pharmaceuticals, processed foods, chemicals, paper products, consumer packaged goods. 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 tobacco & consumer products and financial services from Richmond and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
Get Exact Rates for Richmond to Memphis
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