391 miles · Est. 5.8 hours · Avg $2.45/mile · Gross $958
Lane Overview
391
Miles
$2.45
Avg rate/mile
$958
Avg gross rate
moderate
Competition
Memphis to Atlanta on US-78 (or I-22) is short but punches above its weight in freight value. FedEx World Hub in Memphis is the single largest freight generator — consumer goods, time-sensitive parcels, and e-commerce product flow east toward Atlanta's Southeast distribution network constantly. At 391 miles and just under 6 hours drive time, it's a solid one-day run at $2.35–$2.55/mile.
US-78 through Birmingham is the most direct route and avoids I-40 congestion. The route passes through the Birmingham metro — avoid rush hour (7–9am and 4–6pm) near the interchange at I-20/59. Return loads from Atlanta to Memphis are equally reliable — Atlanta's large distribution centers keep dry-van and reefer trucks moving in both directions. This lane suits owner-operators who want consistent freight without the 11+ hour push.
Driver Tip
Use our Load Profitability Calculator to check if this lane covers your operating costs before accepting a load.
Trip Costs
Fuel Estimate
$145
Based on avg diesel price
Toll Estimate
$5
Varies by route and state
Net After Costs
$808
Before your other costs
What Moves on This Lane
Common Equipment
Return Freight
Atlanta to Memphis
391 miles · $2.40/mile avg
Similar Routes
Driver's Complete Guide
Memphis to Atlanta is a short regional run that gets underestimated by long-haul operators who think 391 miles isn't worth their time. Those operators are leaving money on the table. The freight on this lane comes out of FedEx World Hub — the single largest cargo hub on earth sits right at Memphis International Airport — and what FedEx generates in package and freight volume bound for Atlanta's Southeast distribution network is staggering. Regional operators who dedicate a truck to this lane can run two round trips per week and stack mileage without ever dealing with a 1,000-mile slog.
FedEx hub freight drives the lane — time-sensitive consumer goods, e-commerce products, and parcels from major shippers using FedEx as their carrier. But it's not just FedEx. Memphis has a broader distribution ecosystem: auto parts heading toward Atlanta's dealership distribution network, food and beverage from the Mid-South food processing cluster, and general consumer goods from the Amazon fulfillment facility in Olive Branch, MS. Atlanta absorbs all of it at its massive west-side and south-side DC complexes.
US-78 or I-22 east from Memphis through the Mississippi hill country is the direct route into Birmingham. It's faster than going I-40 east to I-65 south. The road through Tupelo and Corinth, MS is generally smooth, though the two-lane sections east of Corinth can back up behind slower traffic. Birmingham is where you need to pay attention — the I-20/59 interchange in the downtown area is a genuine bottleneck during morning rush (7–9am) and afternoon rush (4–6pm). Either clear Birmingham before 7am or plan to pass through after 10am. From Birmingham, pick up I-20 east into Atlanta.
Moderate difficulty on a short lane means rates are competitive but fair. Mid-week loads — Tuesday through Thursday — consistently run $2.45–$2.55/mile. Monday morning is the worst: every truck in Memphis is chasing loads simultaneously. The carriers who do best on this lane have standing relationships with a handful of Memphis-area brokers who handle FedEx supply chain freight. That relationship is worth cultivating if you're going to make this a regular run.
Atlanta to Memphis reverses almost perfectly. Atlanta's massive distribution complex — companies like Maersk logistics, NCR, and the big-box retail DCs — generates steady westbound freight. Rates run $2.40–$2.50/mile on the return and reefer opportunities (produce, food) are available. The round trip works out to about 782 miles and can be done in a single day with a proper restart, making it one of the more efficient short-haul round trips in the Southeast.
Is US-78 or I-22 a good truck route between Memphis and Birmingham?
Yes, it handles trucks well throughout. The sections through Tupelo, MS have some weight limits on specific bridges — check your route for any restrictions over 80,000 lbs gross. The I-22 designation covers most of the US-78 corridor today and is the same road.
How do I time Birmingham to avoid the traffic backup?
Aim to hit the I-20/59 downtown interchange either before 7am or between 10am and 3pm. Friday afternoons are particularly bad — give yourself an extra 30 minutes if you're passing through after 4pm on Friday.
Can this lane support a weekly schedule for a solo owner-operator?
Comfortably. Memphis to Atlanta on Tuesday, return on Wednesday or Thursday, then another round or a regional pickup Friday. You're looking at 1,500+ miles per week on a predictable schedule with consistent freight.
Dispatch Service
TruckLeap dispatches dry van and reefer carriers on lanes like this — 6% fee, no contracts.
Our dispatch team finds Memphis to Atlanta loads daily and negotiates top-of-market rates. Apply free.
Apply for Dispatch Service