Jackson to Birmingham Truck Dispatch
Freight route connecting Jackson, MS to Birmingham, AL (245 miles). Alabama's automotive and manufacturing base supports steady I-20 freight.
What do truck dispatch rates run from Jackson to Birmingham?
Jackson to Birmingham is a 245-mile lane paying about $613 - $711 per load, near $2.50 - $2.90 a mile. Freight is mostly consumer goods/e-commerce, distribution-connected freight and industrial equipment.
- Distance
- 245 miles
- Avg. rate / load
- $612 - $710
- Rate per mile
- $2.50 - $2.90
- Transit time
- 1 day
- Deadhead risk
- 20-25%
Lane rates reviewed September 2026. These numbers follow 2026 spot-market pricing and rise during the Q4 e-commerce peak. See our dispatch fee structure.
Jackson to Birmingham
Jackson to Birmingham is a 245-mile, roughly 4-hour run east on I-20, connecting Mississippi's capital to one of the best-connected freight cities in the Southeast. Birmingham sits where I-20, I-59, I-65 and I-22 cross, and the metro's e-commerce boom includes major Amazon, Carvana and Lowe's distribution operations.
Origin
Jackson, MS
Destination
Birmingham, AL
Distance
245 miles
Transit Time
1 day
Average Rate
$612 - $710
Rate per Mile
$2.50 - $2.90
245-mile lane, about 4 hours on I-20
Birmingham sits at the crossing of I-20, I-59, I-65 and I-22
Amazon, Carvana and Lowe's all run major distribution operations in Birmingham
Jackson to Birmingham: route facts a driver should know
Jackson sits at Mississippi's I-20/I-55 crossroads
Jackson is Mississippi's capital and largest city, sitting directly at the junction of I-20 and I-55, a natural freight crossroads roughly midway between Memphis and New Orleans.
Source: City of Jackson, MS, Office of Economic Development. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
Birmingham sits at a four-interstate convergence
Birmingham sits where I-20, I-59, I-65, and I-459 all come together, putting it within a single day's drive of about 40% of the US population.
Source: MyShyft, Birmingham warehouse market overview. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
Diesel for this lane
How much is the diesel for Jackson to Birmingham?
About $222.50 this week. The lane is 245 miles. A truck that gets 6.5 miles per gallon uses about 38 gallons, and diesel is averaging $5.90 a gallon on this lane (week of October 19, 2026). The U.S. average diesel price is up 10 cents this week.
An estimate. It uses EIA's weekly average for this region, not the price at each pump. Your mpg and fuel card discounts change it.
- Distance
- 245 mi
- Diesel needed
- 38 gal
- Price used
- $5.90/gal
- Fuel cost
- $222.50
Common Freight Types
Consumer goods, e-commerce distribution freight and industrial equipment fill the trailers heading east.
- Automotive Parts
- Manufacturing Equipment
- Steel Products
What makes the Jackson to Birmingham lane difficult?
A medium-length lane keeps per-load rates in a moderate range
A medium-length lane keeps per-load rates in a moderate range.
I-20 through Alabama can see periodic congestion
Understanding and preparing for this challenge helps optimize your operations and maximize profitability on this lane.
Competition from Birmingham's established carrier base can pressure rates during slow periods
Competition from Birmingham's established carrier base can pressure rates during slow periods.
What freight moves on the Jackson to Birmingham lane?
What travels between Jackson and Birmingham, and why the e-commerce boom matters here.
Primary Commodities
- •Automotive Parts
- •Manufacturing Equipment
- •Steel Products
Secondary Commodities
- •E-commerce distribution-connected freight
- •Consumer goods
- •Industrial equipment
Seasonal Cargo
Peak seasons for this lane:
- •Consumer goods and e-commerce (holiday surge)
- •E-commerce distribution freight (steady)
- •Industrial equipment (steady)
When is the Jackson to Birmingham lane busiest?
The Q4 e-commerce peak and steady distribution freight both shape this lane.
Q1 (Jan-Mar): Slow Period?
A modest dip after the holiday e-commerce peak.
Q4 (Oct-Dec): Peak Period?
E-commerce and consumer-goods freight climb sharply from October through December.
Produce Season?
Not a major factor on this lane.
- •Q4 holiday e-commerce peak
- •Steady e-commerce distribution freight year-round
- •Summer freight demand
Seasonal Strategy Summary
This lane runs steady year-round, without a major seasonal swing to plan around.
How do I negotiate the best rate on the Jackson to Birmingham lane?
When to book, who pays extra, and which loads need a congestion buffer.
When to Book
Suggested booking window:
1-2 days out is typical for this haul, tighter during the Q4 e-commerce peak.
What Brokers Pay More
Loads that command more:
Time-critical e-commerce distribution freight tends to pay a premium.
When to Avoid
Loads to price carefully:
Be careful committing to a tight delivery through Alabama congestion without a buffer.
Rate Negotiation Tips for Jackson to Birmingham
- •
At 240 miles, this is a comfortable one-day run, all on I-20.
- •
Birmingham's four-interstate position puts you within a day's drive of 40% of the US population from this endpoint.
- •
Jackson's I-20/I-55 crossroads position makes this an easy lane to combine with other Southern freight.
How do I find a backhaul load on the Jackson to Birmingham lane?
Birmingham's e-commerce and distribution boom makes a westbound load realistic.
Best Return Cities
Where to look for the return load:
- •Birmingham, AL
- •Regional distribution hubs near Birmingham
Deadhead Risk %
Deadhead risk on this lane: 20-25%
With Amazon, Carvana and Lowe's all running major distribution operations, there is real backhaul variety.
Alternative Routes
If the first load falls through, try these:
- •After delivery, look for reloads in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Bessemer. Your best targets are steel, automotive suppliers, industrial products and retail freight. Also look at nearby distribution, manufacturing, port, food or farm facilities. If the main reload market is thin, reposition toward the nearest listed return city. Don't accept a long empty move.
Backhaul Optimization Tips
- •
Birmingham's four-interstate convergence gives you real backhaul options in multiple directions.
- •
Jackson's crossroads position keeps westbound loads flowing too.
- •
This lane is short enough for a same-day or next-day backhaul.
What do experienced dispatchers know about the Jackson to Birmingham lane?
Three notes before this Southeast corridor run.
This lane pairs well with a same-day or next-day return load.
Build in a buffer for periodic I-20 congestion through Alabama.
Check current Birmingham-area freight-market rates before committing to a slow-season load.
A direct I-20 run. Birmingham's crossroads position adds real backhaul flexibility on this end.
Jackson to Birmingham Lane FAQs
Answers on drive time, Birmingham's e-commerce boom, and congestion.
The lane data shows about $613 - $711 per load, or $2.50 - $2.90 a mile, across 245 miles.
It sits where I-20, I-59, I-65 and I-22 cross, and hosts major Amazon, Carvana and Lowe's distribution centers.
About 4 hours for the 245 miles on I-20.
Reasonably, given the metro's e-commerce distribution boom and interstate connectivity.
Other Mississippi freight lanes we dispatch
- Jackson to Nashville
- Jackson to Gulfport
- Jackson to Dallas
- Jackson to Houston
- Jackson to Little Rock
- Jackson to Mobile
Local resources
Also serving the other end of this lane
Dry Van owner-operator, Southeast: +$2,550/week after moving to $2.85/mi on automotive parts / retail / beverage freight.
Read the case studyNeed help running Jackson, MS to Birmingham, AL consistently?
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