Freight Shipping from St. Louis to Memphis
Ship freight from St. Louis, MO to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $673-$829, LTL from $372-$666. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
313 mi
Drive Time
6 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$673-$829
LTL Rate Est.
$372-$666
St. Louis to Memphis Freight Corridor
St. Louis sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, making it a natural multimodal freight hub where barge, rail, and truck converge. Anheuser-Busch's flagship brewery ships millions of cases weekly on dedicated lane networks. Boeing's defense division in north St. Louis County produces F/A-18 and F-15 fighter jets, generating oversize military cargo requiring specialized flatbed carriers.
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 St. Louis-to-Memphis corridor spans 313 miles via I-70, I-64, I-40, I-55. This lane connects beer & beverage and agriculture & food freight from the St. Louis 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 St. Louis
St. Louis's economy is driven by beer & beverage, agriculture & food, defense & aerospace, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
beer & beverages
processed foods
defense equipment
vehicles (GM)
chemicals
grain products
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like St. Louis.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between St. Louis 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.
$673-$829 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.
$829-$1,049 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.
$892-$1,142 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$986-$1,330 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the St. Louis to Memphis lane (313 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $673-$829 | 6 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $372-$666 | 8-10 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,017-$1,409 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both St. Louis and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Boeing Defense
General Motors (Wentzville)
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for St. Louis to Memphis
St. Louis Seasonal Advisory
Beer shipments surge before major holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Super Bowl). Mississippi River flooding in spring can shut down river terminals and divert barge freight to trucks, causing temporary rate spikes.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 313 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
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.
St. Louis to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from St. Louis to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from St. Louis, MO to Memphis, TN currently range from $673-$829 for a standard dry van load over the 313-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $372-$666 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 St. Louis to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from St. Louis to Memphis is approximately 6 hrs by truck over 313 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%.
What equipment do I need for St. Louis to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. St. Louis commonly ships beer & beverages, processed foods, defense 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 St. Louis?
Yes. Memphis is a strong outbound market shipping e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton. Carriers returning from Memphis to St. Louis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the St. Louis-to-Memphis lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from St. Louis to Memphis?
The St. Louis-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix. St. Louis's top outbound commodities include beer & beverages, processed foods, defense equipment, vehicles (GM), chemicals, grain 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 beer & beverage and agriculture & food from St. Louis and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
Get Exact Rates for St. Louis to Memphis
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the St. Louis to Memphis lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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