Freight Shipping from Sacramento to Memphis
Ship freight from Sacramento, CA to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $4,881-$6,016, LTL from $1,449-$2,330. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,270 mi
Drive Time
41 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$4,881-$6,016
LTL Rate Est.
$1,449-$2,330
Sacramento to Memphis Freight Corridor
Sacramento is the gateway between California's Central Valley agricultural empire and the rest of the nation. The UP Roseville Yard, the largest railroad classification yard on the West Coast, processes thousands of railcars daily and makes Sacramento a critical intermodal node. The city's position at the junction of I-5 and I-80 means freight naturally flows through here whether it's heading to the Bay Area, Reno, or Portland.
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 Sacramento-to-Memphis corridor spans 2,270 miles via I-5, I-80, I-40, I-55. This lane connects government and agriculture & food processing freight from the Sacramento 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 Sacramento
Sacramento's economy is driven by government, agriculture & food processing, healthcare, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
almonds & tree nuts
rice
processed tomatoes
wine
canned fruits & vegetables
dairy products
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Sacramento.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Sacramento 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.
$4,881-$6,016 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.
$6,016-$7,605 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.
$6,470-$8,286 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$7,151-$9,648 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Sacramento to Memphis lane (2,270 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $4,881-$6,016 | 41 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,449-$2,330 | 43-45 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $7,378-$10,215 | 28 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $3,065-$4,200 | 44-46 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Sacramento and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Blue Diamond Growers
Campbell Soup (Sacramento plant)
Amazon (3 facilities)
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Sacramento to Memphis
Sacramento Seasonal Advisory
Almond harvest (August-October) is the single biggest freight event, generating tens of thousands of loads. Tomato processing (July-September) and rice harvest (September-November) overlap to create the busiest reefer market in the state.
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 2,270 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 41 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.
Sacramento to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Sacramento to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Sacramento, CA to Memphis, TN currently range from $4,881-$6,016 for a standard dry van load over the 2,270-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $1,449-$2,330 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 Sacramento to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Sacramento to Memphis is approximately 41 hrs by truck over 2,270 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 Sacramento to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Sacramento commonly ships almonds & tree nuts, rice, processed tomatoes, 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 Sacramento?
Yes. Memphis is a strong outbound market shipping e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton. Carriers returning from Memphis to Sacramento can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Sacramento-to-Memphis lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Sacramento to Memphis?
The Sacramento-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Sacramento's top outbound commodities include almonds & tree nuts, rice, processed tomatoes, wine, canned fruits & vegetables, dairy 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 government and agriculture & food processing from Sacramento and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
Get Exact Rates for Sacramento to Memphis
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Sacramento to Memphis lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts