Shipping a Car from Phoenix, AZ to Memphis, TN
Moving a car from Phoenix to Memphis means about 1,499 miles heading east, across six states, from Arizona to Tennessee. A carrier needs about three days on the road at the usual 500 miles a day, and we estimate 2–4 days in transit once the car is loaded. Volume is middling, so most customers find a carrier without much waiting.
Timing and Seasonality
High Plains winter storms and spring thunderstorms are the main weather risks, so late spring and early fall are calmest. Desert heat rarely stops trucks, but midday loading can be hard, so early-morning pickups are common. For a 1,499-mile trip, request quotes about three weeks before pickup. Across Arizona expect desert heat above 110°F in summer and snow near Flagstaff on I-40; across Tennessee, winter ice on the Cumberland Plateau.
The Route and Corridor
A carrier on this lane works through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Tennessee. New Mexico: I-25, I-40 and I-10 climb above 5,000 feet in places. In Oklahoma, I-35, I-40 and I-44 cross, and turnpikes are tolled. In Texas, I-35, I-10, I-45, I-20 and I-40 cross a state where El Paso to Houston is about 750 miles. Oklahoma City (OK) and Little Rock (AR) sit close to the corridor, which is why trucks often add or drop vehicles there. Pickup is on Mountain time and delivery on Central time, so a driver's call can come an hour off your clock. Toll roads in Texas and Oklahoma are built into carrier pricing.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in Phoenix. Sun Belt hub on I-10/I-17 and the nation's top snowbird destination in winter. Phoenix is a freight crossroads, so there is usually a truck passing through. Drivers often use the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport area as a staging reference.
Delivery in Memphis. Carriers typically arrive around I-240, I-40 and I-55. Memphis is a freight crossroads, so there is usually a truck passing through. Mississippi River logistics giant at the I-40/I-55 crossing.
What Phoenix to Memphis Costs
A sedan on an open trailer is priced at roughly $900–$1,275 on this run, or $0.73 for each of the 1,499 miles. SUVs and pickups usually add about 12% ($1,010–$1,430); enclosed sedan transport is $1,305–$1,850, roughly 45% more than open. Ending in Little Rock instead (140 mi from Memphis) is estimated at $810–$1,145. For scale, Houston, TX to Buffalo, NY is a similar 1,530-mile move at $765–$1,070.
| Trailer | Vehicle | Price Range | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $900–$1,275 | Standard choice for everyday cars |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $1,010–$1,430 | Bigger cars, same open trailers |
| Open | Minivan | $1,010–$1,430 | Bigger cars, same open trailers |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $1,305–$1,850 | High-value or low cars |
Estimates are for a standard sedan; your quote depends on pickup and drop-off points, condition and season.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Remove loose items. Personal belongings are usually not insured in transit; clear the cabin before pickup in Phoenix.
- Choose the trailer deliberately. Open at $900–$1,275 fits most cars; enclosed at $1,305–$1,850 suits luxury, classic or low cars.
- Compare nearby pickup points. Moving the handoff a short drive from Phoenix can change the price on a 1,499-mile lane.