Freight Shipping from Salt Lake City to Memphis
Ship freight from Salt Lake City, UT to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $3,487-$4,298, LTL from $1,092-$1,779. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,622 mi
Drive Time
29 hrs
FTL Budget Range
$3,487-$4,298
LTL Budget Range
$1,092-$1,779
Distance is road-adjusted straight-line mileage; drive time assumes 55 mph average including stops. Budget ranges apply a $2.15–$2.65 per-mile dry van band to that distance. These are planning figures, not quotes — live pricing depends on your commodity, equipment, timing and the market that week.
What actually drives the price on Salt Lake City → Memphis
Mileage is the starting point, not the answer. Three things move a quote on this corridor more than distance does — what comes back the other way, what season you are shipping in, and what the route costs the driver to run.
Return freight — thin
Memphis is more of an inbound market than an outbound one, at least for the commodities that move toward Salt Lake City. Carriers often reposition empty or route through an intermediate market on the way back, and that cost is priced into the forward rate. It is the main reason quotes on this lane can look high relative to the mileage.
Seasonal pressure
- October-December. Retail peak. Dry van capacity tightens nationally ahead of the holidays — booking two or more weeks out is the difference between a normal rate and a scramble.
- March-October. Construction season. Flatbed and step-deck demand climbs with the building calendar and stays elevated until the first hard freeze.
Cost of running it
Roughly $23–$39 in tolls one way, estimated from published commercial rates in UT, TN, IL, MO, OK, NM, plus about 4 fuel stops at a stop per 380 loaded miles. Exact routing and axle count will shift this.
Booking that saves money
Give more than 48 hours notice and avoid Friday-afternoon pickups. Those two habits save shippers more than negotiating does — a truck booked Tuesday for Thursday prices very differently from the same truck booked Friday morning for that afternoon.
Salt Lake City to Memphis Freight Corridor
Salt Lake City is the Intermountain West's primary logistics gateway, sitting at the junction of I-15 and I-80 — the only major east-west corridor between Denver and the West Coast. The Bingham Canyon copper mine, the world's largest open-pit mine, generates heavy-haul mining equipment and concentrate freight. Silicon Slopes tech companies along the I-15 corridor from Provo to Ogden create a growing base of e-commerce and electronics shipments requiring fast, reliable service.
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 Salt Lake City-to-Memphis corridor spans 1,622 miles via I-15, I-80, I-40, I-55. This lane connects technology (silicon slopes) and mining & minerals freight from the Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City's economy is driven by technology (silicon slopes), mining & minerals, aerospace & defense, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
copper & minerals
electronics
outdoor recreation equipment
aerospace components
food products
software media
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Salt Lake City.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Salt Lake City 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.
$3,487-$4,298 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.
$4,623-$5,920 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$5,109-$6,894 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.
$1,092-$1,779 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Salt Lake City to Memphis lane (1,622 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $3,487-$4,298 | 29 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,092-$1,779 | 31-33 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $5,272-$7,299 | 20 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $2,190-$3,001 | 32-34 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Salt Lake City and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Rio Tinto Kennecott (Bingham Canyon Mine)
L3Harris Technologies
Overstock.com
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Salt Lake City to Memphis
Salt Lake City Seasonal Advisory
Ski season (November-April) drives hospitality and recreation freight to resort towns. Mining operations run year-round but production peaks in dry summer months. Construction activity slows during harsh winter months but the region's growth means it never truly stops.
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 1,622 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 29 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 Salt Lake City and Memphis — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Salt Lake City, UT
- Metro Population
- 1.3M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.25-$2.65/mi
- Key Highways
- I-15, I-80, I-215
- Rail / Intermodal
- Union Pacific Salt Lake City Intermodal; BNSF Salt Lake Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- West Valley City/I-215 Belt, North Salt Lake/I-15 North, Salt Lake City International Airport Area
“SLC's geographic isolation is both challenge and opportunity — the city is 500+ miles from the nearest major market (Denver or Las Vegas). Carriers who commit to regular SLC lanes build strong relationships with shippers desperate for reliable capacity, often earning above-market rates due to the repositioning miles involved.”
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 is more of an inbound market than an outbound one, at least for the commodities that move toward Salt Lake City. Carriers often reposition empty or route through an intermediate market on the way back, and that cost is priced into the forward rate. It is the main reason quotes on this lane can look high relative to the mileage.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Memphis
Seasonal Rate Patterns
October-December
Retail peak. Dry van capacity tightens nationally ahead of the holidays — booking two or more weeks out is the difference between a normal rate and a scramble.
March-October
Construction season. Flatbed and step-deck demand climbs with the building calendar and stays elevated until the first hard freeze.
Salt Lake City to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Salt Lake City to Memphis?
As a planning figure, budget $3,487-$4,298 for a full truckload from Salt Lake City, UT to Memphis, TN. That is the 1,622-mile lane distance run against a $2.15-$2.65 per-mile dry van range, which is a broad industry band rather than a live quote for your freight. LTL lands roughly $1,092-$1,779 depending on freight class, weight and dimensions. Real pricing moves with fuel, season, equipment type and how much notice you give — a lane like this can quote well outside that band in a tight week. Send us the details and we will price it against what carriers are actually accepting right now.
How long does freight take from Salt Lake City to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Salt Lake City to Memphis is approximately 29 hrs by truck over 1,622 miles, with 4 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 Union Pacific Salt Lake City Intermodal to BNSF Memphis Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Salt Lake City to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Salt Lake City commonly ships copper & minerals, electronics, outdoor recreation equipment, 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 Salt Lake City?
Memphis is more of an inbound market than an outbound one, at least for the commodities that move toward Salt Lake City. Carriers often reposition empty or route through an intermediate market on the way back, and that cost is priced into the forward rate. It is the main reason quotes on this lane can look high relative to the mileage. Why it matters to you as a shipper: backhaul is the single least visible input into your rate. Two lanes of identical mileage can quote hundreds of dollars apart purely because one has a return load waiting and the other does not.
What commodities move from Salt Lake City to Memphis?
Salt Lake City's top outbound commodities include copper & minerals, electronics, outdoor recreation equipment, aerospace components, food products, software media. Memphis's primary inbound freight includes e-commerce packages (FedEx), consumer goods, raw cotton, steel & metals, petroleum products, agricultural inputs. The industries driving the lane are technology (Silicon Slopes) and mining & minerals on the Salt Lake City end and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis. That mix is what determines which trailer types run the corridor regularly — and a lane with steady demand for your equipment type is one where you will find a truck on short notice.
When are rates highest on the Salt Lake City to Memphis lane?
Rate pressure on this corridor follows the technology (Silicon Slopes) and mining & minerals calendar. October-December: Retail peak. Dry van capacity tightens nationally ahead of the holidays — booking two or more weeks out is the difference between a normal rate and a scramble. March-October: Construction season. Flatbed and step-deck demand climbs with the building calendar and stays elevated until the first hard freeze. Two habits that help regardless of season — book mid-week rather than Friday afternoon, and give more than 48 hours notice. Last-minute Friday pickups are where shippers overpay most consistently.
Should I use team drivers for the Salt Lake City to Memphis lane?
At 1,622 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 17-21 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 Salt Lake City to Memphis
Tell us what you are moving on the Salt Lake City–Memphis corridor and we will source an FMCSA-verified carrier that fits the commodity, the timing and the budget. We check authority, insurance and safety record before a truck is ever assigned to your freight. Free quote, no obligation.
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