Freight Shipping from Riverside to Memphis
Ship freight from Riverside, CA to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,343-$5,353, LTL from $1,311-$2,117. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,020 mi
Drive Time
37 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,343-$5,353
LTL Rate Est.
$1,311-$2,117
Industrial Freight Lane
Riverside → Memphis Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
84–98
running this lane
Weekly Loads
194–210
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
68/100
Strong
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.
Riverside to Memphis Freight Corridor
The Inland Empire, centered on Riverside and San Bernardino, has quietly become the largest warehouse market in the world. Over 700 million square feet of distribution space absorbs the container avalanche from the LA/Long Beach ports and repackages it for cross-country shipment. Amazon alone operates more than 20 fulfillment and sort centers here. The World Logistics Center in Moreno Valley, at 40 million square feet, is one of the largest distribution developments ever built.
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 Riverside-to-Memphis corridor spans 2,020 miles via I-10, I-15, I-40, I-55. This lane connects warehousing & distribution and e-commerce fulfillment freight from the Riverside 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 Riverside
Riverside's economy is driven by warehousing & distribution, e-commerce fulfillment, food processing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
redistributed consumer goods
e-commerce parcels
processed foods
building materials
pet food
beverages
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Riverside.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Riverside 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.
$4,343-$5,353 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.
$5,353-$6,767 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.
$5,757-$7,373 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$6,363-$8,585 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Riverside to Memphis lane (2,020 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,343-$5,353 | 37 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,311-$2,117 | 39-41 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $6,565-$9,090 | 24 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,727-$3,737 | 40-42 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Riverside and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (20+ facilities in IE)
Ross Stores DC
Skechers Distribution
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Riverside to Memphis
Riverside Seasonal Advisory
E-commerce fulfillment drives a dramatic October-December peak, with Amazon facilities running 24/7. January-February is the slowest period as retailers clear holiday inventory rather than shipping new product.
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 2,020 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 Riverside and Memphis — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Riverside, CA
- Metro Population
- 4.6M metro (Inland Empire)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.30-$2.65/mi
- Key Highways
- I-10, I-15, SR-60
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF San Bernardino Intermodal; UP Colton Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- Ontario/Rancho Cucamonga, Moreno Valley (World Logistics Center), Perris/Menifee
“Inland Empire outbound rates are consistently 10-15% lower than LA proper because there is such a massive supply of freight. Carriers who reposition from LA to the IE can often find loads faster and with less downtime, even at slightly lower per-mile rates.”
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
Memphis generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Riverside is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
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
Riverside to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Riverside to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Riverside, CA to Memphis, TN currently range $4,343-$5,353 (roughly $2.17-$2.65 per mile over 2,020 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,311-$2,117 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 Riverside to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Riverside to Memphis is approximately 37 hrs by truck over 2,020 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 to BNSF Memphis Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Riverside to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Riverside commonly ships redistributed consumer goods, e-commerce parcels, 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 Riverside?
Strong backhaul (scored 68/100 based on Memphis's outbound commodity mix). Memphis generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Riverside is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. 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 Riverside to Memphis?
The Riverside-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Industrial Freight Lane. Riverside's top outbound commodities include redistributed consumer goods, e-commerce parcels, processed foods, building materials, pet food, beverages. 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 warehousing & distribution and e-commerce fulfillment from Riverside and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
When are rates highest on the Riverside to Memphis lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to warehousing & distribution and e-commerce fulfillment 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 Riverside to Memphis lane?
At 2,020 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 Riverside to Memphis
We maintain working relationships with 84+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Riverside–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