I-55 Trucking Jobs — Mississippi Valley
964 miles across 5 states • 20,000+ trucks/day (Chicago metro exceeds 35,000; Memphis area 25,000+) daily • $0.50 - $0.68/mile
Total Miles
964
Avg Pay
$0.50 - $0.68/mile
Daily Trucks
20,000+
Best Time
Year-round demand
I-55 Route Overview
Interstate 55 runs 964 miles from Chicago, Illinois to LaPlace, Louisiana (near New Orleans), following the Mississippi River valley for much of its length. I-55 connects two of America's most critical freight hubs — Chicago, the nation's largest rail-to-truck intermodal center, and Memphis, the world's busiest cargo airport (FedEx World Hub) — before continuing south through the Mississippi Delta to New Orleans' port complex. The Chicago end connects to the massive intermodal facilities of Joliet, Elwood, and Rochelle, where BNSF and Union Pacific operate some of the largest rail yards in the world. Heading south through central Illinois, the corridor passes through Springfield and enters the St. Louis metro area where it crosses the Mississippi River. South of St. Louis, I-55 runs through the Missouri Bootheel and enters Memphis — the corridor's most important freight node after Chicago. The southern segment traverses the Mississippi Delta, passing through Jackson, MS before terminating near New Orleans. The entire corridor follows rich agricultural land, and grain, cotton, and poultry freight are significant throughout. For drivers, I-55 offers flat terrain, consistent freight, and connects to virtually every major east-west interstate in the central US.
States Along I-55
Major Cities on I-55
Top Freight Types on I-55
These are the most common types of freight hauled by trucks on the I-55 Mississippi Valley corridor.
Top Carriers on I-55
These major trucking companies have significant operations on the I-55 Mississippi Valley corridor.
Famous Truck Stops on I-55
These well-known truck stops serve as key rest and refueling points along the I-55 Mississippi Valley corridor.
Challenges and Tips for I-55
Every corridor has its challenges. Here's what experienced drivers watch out for on I-55.
I-55 Pay and Timing
Average Pay on This Corridor
$0.50 - $0.68/mile
Best Time to Run
Year-round demand; agricultural freight peaks during harvest (Sep-Nov); FedEx Memphis volumes peak Oct-Dec; avoid spring flooding periods
Daily Truck Volume
20,000+ trucks/day (Chicago metro exceeds 35,000; Memphis area 25,000+)
Frequently Asked Questions About I-55 Trucking
How much do I-55 trucking jobs pay?
I-55 corridor trucking jobs pay between $0.50 and $0.68 per mile. The Chicago end offers some of the highest-paying intermodal drayage work in the country ($60,000-$85,000 annually for experienced drivers). Memphis-based FedEx freight operations pay competitively for both linehaul and P&D drivers. Mississippi and Louisiana segments pay toward the lower end due to the region's lower cost of living, but agricultural and petroleum freight provide steady work year-round.
Why are Chicago and Memphis both on I-55?
The fact that I-55 connects Chicago (America's largest intermodal hub) and Memphis (the world's busiest cargo airport via FedEx) makes it one of the most strategically important freight corridors in the country. Chicago's rail yards transfer millions of containers between trains and trucks annually. Memphis's FedEx World Hub processes 3+ million packages daily, all needing truck transportation. The I-55 corridor between these two cities carries an enormous volume of express, intermodal, and general freight.
Does the Mississippi River affect I-55 trucking?
Yes. I-55 runs along the Mississippi River valley for much of its length, making it vulnerable to river flooding — particularly in the Missouri Bootheel area and Mississippi Delta during spring. Major floods (like 2011 and 2019) have closed sections of I-55 and forced lengthy detours. The river also generates fog in fall and winter that can reduce visibility to near-zero in low-lying areas. On the positive side, the river valley terrain means I-55 is very flat, making it easy on fuel consumption and equipment.
What freight moves on I-55?
I-55 carries intermodal containers from Chicago's massive rail yards (BNSF Logistics Park in Elwood, UP's Global III in Rochelle), express parcels connected to the FedEx Memphis hub, grain and soybeans from Illinois and Mississippi farm country, cotton from the Delta, poultry from Mississippi (the #5 US producer), petroleum products from Louisiana refineries, and consumer goods flowing between the Midwest and Deep South.
Is I-55 good for regional trucking?
I-55 is excellent for regional trucking due to its connections to multiple east-west interstates. Memphis-based regional drivers can reach Chicago (I-55 north), Dallas (I-40/I-30 west), Atlanta (I-40/I-75 east), and New Orleans (I-55 south) within a day's drive. St. Louis-based drivers similarly access multiple markets. The corridor's flat terrain and consistent freight make it popular with regional carriers offering home-weekly schedules.