Long Beach to Memphis Car Shipping Route
Long Beach to Memphis covers roughly 1,835 miles. Carriers depart the Long Beach area using I-710 north to connect with I-10 east, which is the primary spine of this route through Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and into Texas before transitioning to I-40 east through Oklahoma and Arkansas into Tennessee. From Long Beach, onramp access via SR-91 and I-405 gives carriers flexibility depending on where your vehicle is staged. The drive alone would take 26-28 hours over two days minimum — factoring fuel, lodging, wear, and risk, auto transport is the practical choice for most owners. See a full breakdown at https://california.auto-transport-shipping.com/articles/benefits-of-auto-transport-service-vs-driving-yourself.html
Memphis demand is anchored by several concrete drivers. Naval Support Activity Mid-South in Millington, about 20 miles north of downtown, generates consistent military PCS traffic year-round. The University of Memphis enrolls roughly 22,000 students, and Baptist Memorial Hospital and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital draw medical staff relocations. FedEx, which operates its global air hub at Memphis International Airport, relocates employees regularly. Seasonally, the I-40 corridor through the Oklahoma panhandle and Arkansas can see ice and snow from November through February, which occasionally adds transit time. Before you book, review https://california.auto-transport-shipping.com/articles/auto-transport-mistakes-to-avoid.html to avoid common scheduling errors.
Long Beach to Memphis Car Shipping Rates
At 1,835 miles, this route falls into the long-haul tier where per-mile rates decrease but total cost is still significant — expect a meaningful range depending on vehicle size, transport type, and timing. Summer demand spikes in June and July as student and military moves peak. Winter adds a modest weather premium for I-40 through Oklahoma and Arkansas, where ice delays can extend carrier time. Fuel costs directly affect pricing on a haul this long; see how gas prices factor in at https://california.auto-transport-shipping.com/articles/how-gas-prices-impact-california-auto-transport-fees.html
What affects the cost of Long Beach to Memphis car shipping:
- Vehicle type and size — larger vehicles take more carrier space; aftermarket additions like lift kits, oversized mirrors, or roof accessories can add fees
- Open vs. enclosed transport — open is lower cost with stronger carrier availability; enclosed protects against weather, debris, and road conditions
- Standard vs. expedited pickup — expedited prioritizes your vehicle for the next available dispatch, typically at a $100–$300 premium
- Time of year — peak demand seasons drive rates higher; off-peak windows offer the most competitive pricing
- Fuel costs — diesel prices affect carrier rates; longer routes are more sensitive to fuel price swings
- Vehicle condition — non-running vehicles require special loading equipment and cost more to ship
| Vehicle Type | Open Car Shipping (Est.) | Enclosed Car Shipping (Est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan | $1,100 – $1,600 | $1,900 – $2,700 |
| SUV / Crossover | $1,300 – $1,900 | $2,200 – $3,100 |
| Pickup Truck | $1,300 – $1,950 | $2,200 – $3,150 |
| Minivan | $1,300 – $1,900 | $2,200 – $3,100 |
| Luxury / Classic Car | $1,550 – $2,200 | $2,600 – $3,600 |
| Non-Running Vehicle | Add $200–400 | Add $200–400 |
* Estimated ranges based on recent Long Beach to Memphis shipments. Actual rate depends on vehicle, locations, booking date, and current fuel costs. Use the form on this page to compare real quotes from licensed carriers.
Open vs. Enclosed: What Makes Sense on This Corridor
Open transport is the right call for most standard vehicles on this route. The I-10 and I-40 corridor is well-traveled and carriers are experienced with it. The main weather exposure is through the Oklahoma and Arkansas stretch in winter, where road salt and sleet are possible — manageable for any vehicle not classified as high-value. If you're shipping a classic car, a leased luxury vehicle, or anything with a low-clearance kit, enclosed is worth the premium. Otherwise, open saves you several hundred dollars on a haul this size.
How Long Does Long Beach to Memphis Car Shipping Take?
Plan for 6 to 9 days door-to-door on the Long Beach to Memphis route. Carriers running the I-40 corridor out of the LA basin move frequently — this is one of the most active transcontinental lanes in the country — so dispatch is generally quick once your order is placed. The driving distance alone requires two to three days of compliant Hours of Service driving. Buffer days account for multi-vehicle load sequencing and potential weather holds in winter months. If your timeline is fixed, expedited options exist — see https://california.auto-transport-shipping.com/articles/california-expedited-car-shipping-fast-cost.html for what that costs on a long-haul route.
| Service Type | Typical Transit | Pickup Window | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open — Standard | 7–10 days | 2–5 business days | Best value; most common choice on this route |
| Open — Expedited | 5–7 days | 1–2 business days | Firm arrival date; faster dispatch window |
| Enclosed — Standard | 7–10 days | 4–8 business days | Luxury, classic, or modified vehicles |
| Enclosed — Expedited | 5–7 days | 2–4 business days | High-value vehicles on a firm delivery deadline |
** The primary delay risk on this corridor is winter weather on I-40 through the Oklahoma Panhandle and western Arkansas, typically December through February. Ice storms can force carriers to hold position for 24 to 48 hours. If your delivery window is tight and you're booking between November and March, build in at least one extra buffer day.
Long Beach to Memphis — Route & Logistics
Carriers leave Long Beach via I-710 north, connecting to I-10 east through the LA basin. I-10 runs continuously through Pomona, Ontario, and into the desert corridor through Blythe and Tucson. East of Albuquerque, carriers transition to I-40, which carries the route through Amarillo, Oklahoma City, and Little Rock before terminating in Memphis at roughly 1,835 miles total.
Key Corridor Waypoints
- Ontario, CA About 45 miles east of Long Beach, Ontario is the first practical staging and rest point for carriers departing the LA basin. The I-10 and I-15 interchange here allows carriers coming from San Diego or the Inland Empire to consolidate loads before continuing east. Truck stops and inspection facilities are accessible. Many carriers do a pre-departure inspection of the load here before entering the open desert stretch.
- Blythe, CA / Arizona Border At roughly 220 miles from Long Beach, Blythe sits at the California-Arizona state line on I-10. California has an agricultural inspection checkpoint just west of Blythe. Carriers clear this routinely, but it adds a brief stop. Fuel and overnight options exist here. Summer temperatures routinely exceed 110°F at this crossing, and carriers monitor coolant and tire pressure before continuing into the Arizona desert.
- Albuquerque, NM Albuquerque sits at approximately 5,300 feet elevation and marks the I-10 to I-40 transition point for most carriers on this route. Carriers exit I-10 east of Tucson onto I-25 north, then pick up I-40 east in Albuquerque. This is a common overnight stop on the second driving day. Albuquerque has strong carrier infrastructure — fuel, service, and truckstop facilities — and many long-haul carriers use it as a reload or handoff point.
- Amarillo, TX Amarillo at roughly 3,600 feet elevation is the midpoint staging city on the I-40 corridor. Carriers commonly overnight here on the second or third night depending on departure timing. The Texas Panhandle is exposed to high winds year-round and ice storms in winter, both of which affect open-carrier load security. Amarillo is also where some carriers swap drivers or consolidate vehicles before continuing east into Oklahoma.
- Oklahoma City, OK Oklahoma City is a significant logistics node on I-40 where carriers often pick up or drop additional vehicles. The I-40 and I-35 interchange makes it a natural crossroads. OKC is roughly 1,200 miles from Long Beach and sits as the third-night stop for most compliant carrier schedules. Winter weather — ice and freezing rain — is a consistent factor from December through February and is the most common cause of delay on this route.
- Little Rock, AR Little Rock on I-40 is the last significant stop before Memphis, approximately 130 miles west. Carriers typically clear Little Rock by mid-morning on delivery day. The Arkansas stretch of I-40 can see ice accumulation in winter months. From Little Rock, I-40 crosses the Mississippi River into West Memphis, Arkansas, before carriers exit into Memphis proper via I-55 or surface streets to the delivery address.
Pickup & Delivery Access
- Pickup Access in Long Beach Long Beach carrier access is generally strong given proximity to the port and major interstates. I-710 and I-405 provide direct truck access. Downtown Long Beach has one-way streets and restricted truck zones that can complicate driveway pickup — if your address is in a dense block near the port or downtown core, plan to meet the carrier at a nearby parking lot or wide surface street. Nearby Lakewood, Carson, and Compton have straightforward residential and commercial access with no significant restrictions.
- Delivery Access in Memphis Memphis is carrier-accessible in most residential areas, but Downtown Memphis and the South Main Historic District have narrow streets and on-street restrictions that can complicate standard car-carrier maneuvering. Midtown and East Memphis neighborhoods generally offer clean access. If your delivery address is downtown, plan for a nearby meet point — a parking garage entry area, a commercial lot, or a wide intersection. The carrier will coordinate this with you at scheduling.
- Nearby Pickup Locations Carriers picking up in Long Beach regularly extend service to Lakewood, Compton, and Carson. Call 1‑800‑590‑6492 to confirm door-to-door availability at your address.
Open vs. Enclosed Car Shipping: Long Beach to Memphis
Both options use licensed, insured carriers and deliver door to door. For a full breakdown, read the pros and cons of open vs. enclosed car shipping.
Open Car Shipping
Most Popular- Lower cost — the practical choice for most vehicles
- More carriers available on this corridor
- Faster dispatch from booking to pickup
- Works well for sedans, SUVs, trucks, and minivans
- Vehicle rides on an open multi-car carrier
- Cargo insurance required on all licensed carriers
Estimated cost: $1,100 – $1,950
Enclosed Car Shipping
Premium Protection- Full protection from weather, debris, and road grime
- Best for luxury, exotic, and classic vehicles
- Recommended for low-clearance and custom-built cars
- Wheel-net or soft-tie systems prevent contact damage
- Higher cargo coverage — commonly $500,000 per load
- White-glove handling by experienced operators
Estimated cost: $1,900 – $3,150
Not sure which is right for your vehicle? Call 1-800-590-6492 and we'll point you in the right direction. Also worth reading: the top 10 questions to ask any car shipping company before you commit.
How to Prepare Your Car for Shipping to Memphis
A little prep before pickup protects you if there's ever a dispute about your vehicle's condition. This checklist is from our full guide on preparing your car for transport:
- Remove all personal belongings from the interior and trunk
- Leave only a quarter tank of fuel — enough to load and unload
- Take date-stamped photos of the full exterior and interior
- Remove or disable toll transponders (FasTrak, E-ZPass, etc.)
- Retract or remove roof racks, spoilers, antennas, and bike mounts
- Make sure the battery is charged and tires are properly inflated
- Tell the carrier about any existing leaks or mechanical issues
- Deactivate the car alarm before the carrier arrives
- Write down the mileage on the Bill of Lading at pickup
- Fold in side mirrors if the vehicle is wider than standard
Personal items: Most carriers won't cover belongings left in the car. Read the full rules on shipping personal items in your vehicle. Also review our Bill of Lading guide so you know exactly what to check at pickup and delivery.
When to Ship Your Car from Long Beach to Memphis
This route has two distinct demand peaks. Summer — June through August — sees volume spike from military PCS orders at Millington and student moves tied to University of Memphis fall enrollment. Prices rise and carrier lead times extend during this window. Winter is operationally more complex: I-40 through Oklahoma and Arkansas carries real ice risk from November through February. See https://california.auto-transport-shipping.com/articles/auto-transport-challenges-during-the-winter.html for specifics on how winter conditions affect long-haul scheduling.
Spring Shoulder Season (March–May)
March through May is one of the better windows to ship on this corridor. Demand hasn't peaked yet, winter weather risk on I-40 is mostly cleared by mid-March, and carriers are active and pricing competitively. If your move date has any flexibility, booking in April or early May typically gets you faster dispatch and lower rates than the summer rush that follows. Confirm carrier availability about two weeks out.
Summer Peak (June–August)
Summer is the busiest window on this route, driven by military PCS orders to Naval Support Activity Mid-South and University of Memphis fall semester moves. Expect rates to be 10 to 20 percent higher than spring and carrier lead times to extend. If you're moving for a military assignment or school start date, book at least 3 to 4 weeks in advance. Desert heat through Arizona and New Mexico in July and August is an additional factor for enclosed shipping consideration.
Winter Weather Risk (December–February)
The I-40 corridor through the Oklahoma Panhandle and western Arkansas is the primary weather risk on this route in winter. Ice storms can ground carriers for 24 to 48 hours, and snow accumulation in Amarillo is not uncommon. If you're shipping between December and February, build extra buffer days into your schedule and don't plan for tight delivery deadlines. Enclosed transport is worth considering if road salt exposure concerns you.
Military PCS Season (May–September)
Naval Support Activity Mid-South in Millington generates a consistent wave of PCS moves between May and September, aligned with military assignment cycles. If you're a service member or dependent shipping under PCS orders, the Long Beach to Memphis lane has carrier familiarity with military deliveries. Book with documentation ready and confirm your delivery address — many NSA Mid-South arrivals deliver to off-base housing in Millington or north Memphis.
Back-to-School (Late July–August)
University of Memphis enrollment and several Memphis-area medical school programs drive a late-July and August surge in inbound vehicle shipping. Combined with summer military moves, this creates the highest-demand window on the corridor. Carriers fill quickly during this period. If you're a student or relocating faculty, book no later than 3 weeks before your target delivery date to avoid last-minute premium pricing or delayed dispatch.
Fall Transition (September–November)
September and October offer solid shipping conditions on this route — summer demand has eased, temperatures in the desert corridor are manageable, and I-40 weather is still largely clear. Rates typically soften from summer highs. November is the last clean window before winter weather becomes a regular factor in Oklahoma and Arkansas. If your move allows for a fall booking, September and October are the most operationally predictable months on this corridor.
How to Choose a Long Beach to Memphis Car Shipping Company
Getting multiple quotes is step one — knowing what to look for in those quotes matters just as much. Our guide on how to select a car shipping company covers the full process. Here are the six things that matter most:
FMCSA Registration
Every carrier or broker must hold a valid MC number. Verify any company at FMCSA SAFER before you book.
Proof of Insurance
Ask for a current certificate of insurance. Open carriers typically carry $100,000–$250,000 per load; enclosed commonly $500,000 or more. Learn what auto transport insurance covers.
All-In Pricing
Your quote should be a final number with no fees added after booking. Know the difference between brokers and carriers and confirm what the quote covers before you agree.
Bill of Lading
A complete Bill of Lading is filled out at pickup and delivery. Our Bill of Lading guide explains what to check. Never sign an incomplete one.
Real Reviews
Check Google and the BBB. Look at how they handled complaints and damage claims — that tells you more than a five-star average from happy customers.
Route Experience
A carrier who regularly runs Long Beach to Memphis knows to stage east of the I-710 and I-405 interchange rather than routing through downtown Long Beach's port access roads during shift changes. They know the Blythe inspection checkpoint typically clears in under 10 minutes mid-week and that summer temperature checks near Tucson require a tire pressure stop. Experienced drivers on this lane overnight in Amarillo specifically to hit the I-40 Arkansas stretch in daylight during winter months, avoiding overnight ice risk between Fort Smith and Little Rock. On the Memphis end, they know that South Main deliveries require a staging lot — the Pinch District and Medical District have the cleanest residential access for final delivery in the urban core.
Long Beach to Memphis Car Shipping — FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car from Long Beach to Memphis?
For a standard sedan on an open carrier, expect to pay between $1,050 and $1,450 depending on the time of year and how quickly you need the vehicle moved. SUVs and trucks run $100 to $200 more due to size. Enclosed transport adds roughly 40 to 60 percent over open rates. The summer peak — June through August — and winter months with weather premiums on I-40 both push rates toward the higher end of the range. Off-peak spring and fall bookings typically land closer to the lower end. Fuel price fluctuations also affect the final number on a haul this long.
How long does Long Beach to Memphis car shipping take?
Door-to-door transit on this route typically runs 6 to 9 days. The carrier driving time for roughly 1,835 miles requires 2 to 3 days of compliant hours-of-service driving. Additional days account for load sequencing — carriers don't run single vehicles cross-country — and any weather holds on the I-40 corridor through Oklahoma or Arkansas. Dispatch from Long Beach is generally fast given carrier volume in the LA basin. If you have a hard delivery deadline, expedited options are available — see https://california.auto-transport-shipping.com/articles/california-expedited-car-shipping-fast-cost.html for what that costs.
Is my car insured during transport from Long Beach to Memphis?
Every licensed carrier operating this route is required to carry cargo insurance that covers your vehicle while it's on the truck. Before your vehicle is loaded, a Bill of Lading is completed documenting existing condition — that document is your baseline for any damage claim. Review it carefully at pickup and note anything pre-existing. If damage occurs during transport, you file against the carrier's cargo policy. For a full breakdown of how transport insurance works, see https://california.auto-transport-shipping.com/articles/understanding-auto-transport-insurance.html and if you need to file a claim, the process is outlined at https://california.auto-transport-shipping.com/articles/how-to-file-a-claim-for-vehicle-damage-during-transport.html
Should I choose open or enclosed transport for this route?
Open transport is the practical choice for most vehicles on the Long Beach to Memphis corridor. The route is well-established and carriers are experienced with it. The main exposure concerns are desert grit through Arizona and New Mexico, and potential road salt in Oklahoma and Arkansas during winter months — both are manageable risks for standard vehicles. If you're shipping a classic car, a high-value exotic, or a vehicle with custom bodywork, enclosed is worth the added cost. For a full comparison of the two options, see https://california.auto-transport-shipping.com/articles/open-vs-enclosed-auto-transport-pros-and-cons.html
Do I have to be present at pickup and delivery?
You don't have to be present personally, but someone who is authorized to sign the Bill of Lading must be at both pickup and delivery. That can be a family member, neighbor, or any adult you designate. They need to inspect the vehicle at pickup, confirm the existing condition documentation is accurate, and sign off. At delivery, they inspect again and sign the delivery receipt. If any discrepancy exists between pickup and delivery condition, it should be noted before signing. The Bill of Lading process is explained in detail at https://california.auto-transport-shipping.com/articles/california-auto-transport-bill-of-lading-information.html
How does winter weather affect shipping on the Long Beach to Memphis route?
The I-40 corridor through the Oklahoma Panhandle and western Arkansas is the primary weather risk on this route from December through February. Ice storms in that region can force carriers to hold position for 24 to 48 hours, which adds transit time. Amarillo, Texas, also sees periodic snow and high-wind events that affect open carriers. If you're booking between November and March, build at least one additional buffer day into your schedule and avoid setting hard delivery deadlines. More detail on winter shipping conditions is at https://california.auto-transport-shipping.com/articles/auto-transport-challenges-during-the-winter.html
I'm a military member PCSing to Naval Support Activity Mid-South in Millington — are there specific things to know?
NSA Mid-South in Millington is about 20 miles north of downtown Memphis, and most carriers familiar with this lane have delivered there before. Have your PCS orders and delivery address confirmed before booking — whether you're going to on-base housing or off-base in Millington, Bartlett, or north Memphis affects the delivery logistics. Military PCS moves peak May through September, which is also peak season on this corridor, so book 3 to 4 weeks in advance during that window. Ensure your POV is clean and free of personal items per DOD transport regulations before the carrier arrives.
Can I ship from nearby cities like Lakewood, Carson, or Compton on the same route?
Yes — pickups from Lakewood, Carson, and Compton are handled on the same Long Beach corridor route. Carrier access in all three cities is straightforward with no significant street restriction issues. Carson's industrial and residential streets are particularly carrier-friendly given its layout near I-405. Lakewood is easily accessible off SR-91. If you're in any of these cities, your pickup logistics are simpler than downtown Long Beach, and you may not need a meet point. Rates are essentially identical to a Long Beach origin — the difference in mileage is negligible on a 1,835-mile haul.
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