Freight Shipping from Tacoma to Memphis
Ship freight from Tacoma, WA to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $5,205-$6,416, LTL from $1,532-$2,458. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
2,421 mi
Drive Time
44 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$5,205-$6,416
LTL Rate Est.
$1,532-$2,458
Port Drayage Corridor
Tacoma → Memphis Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
91–115
running this lane
Weekly Loads
100–114
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
63/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$35–$59 one-way passing through WA, TN, IL, MO, OK, NM. 6 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.
Tacoma to Memphis Freight Corridor
Tacoma is the southern anchor of the Northwest Seaport Alliance, handling the bulk of container vessel calls for the Pacific Northwest. The Port of Tacoma's deep-water terminals process millions of TEUs annually, with direct rail connections to BNSF's transcontinental network. Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the largest military installation on the West Coast, generates substantial defense logistics freight including vehicle movements, equipment deployments, and supply chain operations.
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 Tacoma-to-Memphis corridor spans 2,421 miles via I-5, SR-16, I-40, I-55. This lane connects port logistics and military (joint base lewis-mcchord) freight from the Tacoma 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 Tacoma
Tacoma's economy is driven by port logistics, military (joint base lewis-mcchord), manufacturing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
containerized exports (grain, hay)
lumber & wood products
military equipment
frozen seafood
scrap metal
paper products
What Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Tacoma.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Tacoma 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.
$5,205-$6,416 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.
$6,416-$8,110 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.
$6,900-$8,837 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$7,626-$10,289 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Tacoma to Memphis lane (2,421 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $5,205-$6,416 | 44 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $1,532-$2,458 | 46-48 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $7,868-$10,895 | 29 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $3,268-$4,479 | 47-49 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Tacoma and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
Port of Tacoma / NW Seaport Alliance
Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Simpson Tacoma Kraft
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Tacoma to Memphis
Tacoma Seasonal Advisory
Container import volumes peak mid-summer through early fall for holiday retail inventory. Military freight follows deployment and exercise schedules at JBLM. Grain export season (August-November) from eastern Washington drives heavy truck-to-ship transfers at the port.
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 2,421 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 44 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 Tacoma and Memphis — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Tacoma, WA
- Metro Population
- 920K metro (Pierce County)
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.10-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-5, SR-16, SR-167
- Rail / Intermodal
- Port of Tacoma Intermodal Yard; BNSF South Tacoma Yard
- Port Access
- Port of Tacoma / Northwest Seaport Alliance (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Port of Tacoma/Tideflats, Fredrickson/I-5 South, Fife/SR-167 Corridor
“The Tacoma Tideflats industrial area is one of the densest freight zones on the West Coast, with port terminals, rail yards, and warehouses packed into a small area. Carriers who master the local routing through this zone — avoiding the chronic congestion on SR-509 — gain a significant time advantage on port drayage runs.”
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
Backhaul from Memphis to Tacoma requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
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
Tacoma to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Tacoma to Memphis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Tacoma, WA to Memphis, TN currently range $5,205-$6,416 (roughly $2.17-$2.65 per mile over 2,421 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $1,532-$2,458 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently tight 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 Tacoma to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Tacoma to Memphis is approximately 44 hrs by truck over 2,421 miles, with 6 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 Port of Tacoma Intermodal Yard to BNSF Memphis Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Tacoma to Memphis freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Tacoma commonly ships containerized exports (grain, hay), lumber & wood products, military 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 Tacoma?
Moderate backhaul (scored 63/100 based on Memphis's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Memphis to Tacoma requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. 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 Tacoma to Memphis?
The Tacoma-to-Memphis corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Port Drayage Corridor. Tacoma's top outbound commodities include containerized exports (grain, hay), lumber & wood products, military equipment, frozen seafood, scrap metal, paper 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 port logistics and military (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) from Tacoma and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis.
What tolls should I expect on the Tacoma to Memphis route?
Expect roughly $35-$59 in tolls round-trip passing through WA, TN, IL, MO, OK, NM. Most rate quotes either include tolls in the line-haul or bill them as a separate pass-through — ask your dispatcher to confirm which model applies to your lane.
When are rates highest on the Tacoma to Memphis lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to port logistics and military (Joint Base Lewis-McChord) 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 Tacoma to Memphis lane?
At 2,421 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 26-31 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 Tacoma to Memphis
We maintain working relationships with 91+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Tacoma–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