Shipping a Car from Dallas, TX to Memphis, TN
Ship from Dallas and the car covers about 500 miles heading northeast to Memphis, through Texas, Arkansas and Tennessee. A carrier needs about one day on the road at the usual 500 miles a day, and we estimate 1–2 days in transit once the car is loaded. This lane sees steady, moderate demand.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in Dallas. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is the usual reference point for staging in the area. Dallas sits on busy trucking corridors, which helps with availability. Trucks working Dallas lean on I-30, I-35E and I-45.
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. Memphis is a freight crossroads, so there is usually a truck passing through.
The Route and Corridor
The direct line between the two cities crosses Texas, Arkansas and Tennessee. In Tennessee, I-40, I-65, I-24 and I-75 meet around Nashville and Knoxville. Expect hot humid summers and occasional ice storms in Arkansas. Little Rock (AR) sit close to the corridor, which is why trucks often add or drop vehicles there.
What Dallas to Memphis Costs
Over 500 miles, an open-trailer sedan runs $375–$550 ($0.93 per mile). For a larger vehicle plan on $420–$615, and for enclosed carriage of a sedan plan on $545–$800 (about 45% above open). For scale, Atlanta, GA to New Orleans, LA is a similar 505-mile move at $380–$555. Delivery to Little Rock, 140 miles from Memphis, would be $350–$380.
| Service | Vehicle | Estimated Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $375–$550 | Lowest cost, most common |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $420–$615 | Bigger cars, same open trailers |
| Open | Minivan | $420–$615 | Bigger cars, same open trailers |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $545–$800 | Maximum protection from weather and debris |
Estimates are for a standard sedan; actual quotes vary with pickup and drop-off points, condition and season.
Timing and Seasonality
High Plains winter storms and spring thunderstorms are the main weather risks, so late spring and early fall are calmest. For a 500-mile trip, request quotes about two weeks before pickup. Across Texas expect severe spring storms, Gulf hurricanes and desert heat in the west; across Tennessee, winter ice on the Cumberland Plateau.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Be flexible on the date. A three-day pickup window lets dispatchers slot your car into a load heading northeast.
- Ask for a call-ahead. Request a heads-up several hours before the truck reaches Memphis.
- Choose the trailer deliberately. Open at $375–$550 fits most cars; enclosed at $545–$800 suits luxury, classic or low cars.