Shipping a Car from Philadelphia, PA to Memphis, TN
Ship from Philadelphia and the car covers about 1,046 miles westbound to Memphis, through Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. Transit after dispatch is about 2–3 days (21 hours of driving, plus stops). Demand is moderate, so pickup windows are usually easy to fill.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in Philadelphia. Delaware River port city with I-76, I-95 and I-676 and tight rowhouse streets. A working port in the Philadelphia area means customs and terminal release can affect timing for some vehicles. The nearest major airport, Philadelphia International Airport, is a common landmark for meeting a driver. Truck restrictions here usually push the handoff to a nearby wide street or lot.
Delivery in Memphis. Mississippi River logistics giant at the I-40/I-55 crossing. Carriers typically arrive around I-240, I-40 and I-55. The nearest major airport, Memphis International Airport, is a common landmark for meeting a driver.
What Philadelphia to Memphis Costs
Current estimates put open transport for a standard sedan at $630–$890, which is about $0.73 per mile over 1,046 miles. For a larger vehicle plan on $705–$995, and for enclosed carriage of a sedan plan on $915–$1,290 (about 45% above open). A comparable-length trip, Chicago, IL to Colorado Springs, CO (1,104 mi), is priced at $660–$940. Delivery to Little Rock, 140 miles from Memphis, would be $720–$1,015. If you can start from New York City (81 mi away) the estimate is $680–$965, $50 more.
| Service | Vehicle | Price Range | Why Choose It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $630–$890 | Lowest cost, most common |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $705–$995 | Taller, heavier vehicles |
| Open | Minivan | $705–$995 | Taller, heavier vehicles |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $915–$1,290 | High-value or low cars |
Figures assume a standard sedan; actual quotes vary with pickup and drop-off points, condition and season.
The Route and Corridor
A carrier on this lane works through Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. Pennsylvania: the tolled Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) and I-80 cross long hilly stretches. In Kentucky, I-64, I-65 and I-75 meet around Louisville and Lexington. In Maryland, I-95 passes through the Baltimore tunnels, which restrict some loads. Baltimore (MD) and Nashville (TN) sit close to the corridor, which is why trucks often add or drop vehicles there. Pickup is on Eastern time and delivery on Central time, so a driver's call can come an hour off your clock. Toll roads in Pennsylvania and Maryland are built into carrier pricing.
Timing and Seasonality
Nothing seasonal dominates this lane; late spring through early fall is usually easiest for a standard-rate carrier. For a 1,046-mile trip, request quotes about three weeks before pickup. Across Pennsylvania expect snow on the Allegheny mountain grades; across Tennessee, winter ice on the Cumberland Plateau.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Keep the tank low. About a quarter tank keeps weight down for the trip to Memphis.
- Vet the carrier. Check the MC number on safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and get insurance terms in writing before paying a deposit.
- Inspect at both ends. Walk around the car with the driver in Philadelphia and again in Memphis, and note anything on the bill of lading.