Uber vs Lyft Prices in Memphis, TN
Compare base fares from $1.40 • Per-mile rates from $1.15 • Updated 2026
Avg. Ride Cost
$34
Service Tiers
8
Airport Rides
1 routes
Cheapest Option
Lyft
Save ~$0.35/ride
How much does an Uber or Lyft cost in Memphis, TN? UberX base fares in Memphis start at $1.50 plus $1.20/mile and $0.22/minute. Lyft starts at $1.40 plus $1.15/mile and $0.20/minute. Standard taxi fares begin at $2.50 with $2.20/mile. Based on current rate cards, Lyft offers the lowest base fare in Memphis. Actual prices vary with distance, time of day, and surge demand. Compare all options below to find the cheapest ride for your specific route.
Memphis Rideshare & Taxi Rate Table
| Service | Base Fare | Per Mile | Per Min | Booking Fee | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UberX | $1.50 | $1.20 | $0.22 | $2.20 | $6.00 |
| Uber Comfort | $2.60 | $1.65 | $0.32 | $2.20 | $8.50 |
| UberXL | $2.85 | $2.30 | $0.40 | $2.20 | $9.50 |
| Uber Black | $7.00 | $3.50 | $0.60 | $0.00 | $15.00 |
| Lyft Standard | $1.40 | $1.15 | $0.20 | $2.25 | $5.75 |
| Lyft XL | $2.75 | $2.20 | $0.38 | $2.25 | $9.00 |
| Lyft Lux | $7.00 | $3.35 | $0.55 | $0.00 | $15.00 |
| Taxi | $2.50 | $2.20 | $0.35 | $0.50 | $5.50 |
Rates based on publicly available rate cards from Uber, Lyft, and local taxi authorities. Actual fares include distance, time, surge multipliers, and fees. Last updated April 2026.
Peak Pricing & Surge Multipliers in Memphis
Uber and Lyft use surge (dynamic) pricing during high-demand periods. The table below shows typical surge multipliers for Memphis by time of day. A 1.5x multiplier means your fare is 50% higher than the standard rate.
| Service | Standard | Morning Rush | Evening Rush | Late Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UberX | 1x | 1.2x | 1.3x | 1.1x |
| Lyft Standard | 1x | 1.2x | 1.3x | 1.1x |
| Taxi | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1x |
Surge multipliers are estimates based on typical demand patterns. Actual surge pricing varies in real time. Morning rush: 7–9 AM, Evening rush: 4–7 PM, Late night: 11 PM–4 AM.
Is Uber or Lyft Cheaper in Memphis?
Lyft is currently cheaper for base fares in Memphis. Lyft Standard has a base fare of $1.40 compared to UberX's $1.50 — a difference of $0.10 per ride before distance and time charges. However, per-mile rates tell a more complete story: UberX charges $1.20/mile while Lyft charges $1.15/mile. This means Lyft is cheaper for longer rides in Memphis. Prices also vary with time of day and surge demand — always compare both apps before booking.
Uber & Lyft Price Per Mile in Memphis
The Uber price per mile in Memphis is $1.20/mile for UberX, with a base fare of $1.50 and a per-minute charge of $0.22/min. Lyft's per-mile rate in Memphis is $1.15/mile with a base fare of $1.40.
Lyft charges less per mile in Memphis — ideal for longer trips where the per-mile rate dominates the fare. Always compare both apps before booking, since surge pricing can reverse which service is cheaper at any given moment. For a full national comparison, see our Uber price per mile guide.
Rideshare Guide for Memphis
Local Tips for Riders in Memphis
- •Beale Street on weekend nights has decent driver supply, but the road itself is closed to cars — walk to 2nd Street or Main Street for pickup.
- •Memphis BBQ joints are spread across the city. Rideshare is often the best way to hit Central BBQ, the Rendezvous, and Cozy Corner without worrying about parking.
- •The Midtown area (Cooper-Young, Overton Square) has the most consistent local rideshare demand outside of downtown.
- •Memphis drivers often know the best spots — ask them about their favorite BBQ or juke joint.
Best Time to Ride
Between 9 AM and 11 AM on weekdays, after the FedEx and logistics corridor commute wraps up.
Avoid Surge Pricing
After Grizzlies games at FedExForum, walk south to Beale Street or east to the trolley line — the Beale and 2nd intersection gets gridlocked and surge-priced.
Neighborhood Rideshare Guide
Downtown and Midtown (Cooper-Young, Overton Square) have the best driver availability. East Memphis near the University of Memphis is decent. Whitehaven (near Graceland), Frayser, and North Memphis have fewer drivers and longer wait times.
Alternative Transportation
MATA runs buses and the Main Street Trolley (free in parts of downtown). Memphis has no rail transit beyond the trolley. The city is car-dependent, but the core downtown/Midtown corridor is rideshare-friendly.
Cost vs. Other Options
A rideshare from MEM to downtown runs $18-$28. Airport parking is $7/day economy. MATA bus fare is $1 — one of the cheapest in the country.
Events That Trigger Surge Pricing in Memphis
Grizzlies games at FedExForum surge the downtown and Beale Street area.Memphis in May (Beale Street Music Festival, BBQ Contest) creates sustained surge across downtown and the riverfront for a month.Elvis Week at Graceland (August) creates localized surge in Whitehaven and along Elvis Presley Boulevard.
Airport Pickup Tip
Memphis International (MEM) rideshare pickup is on the ticketing level (upper) of Terminal B. The airport is 12 miles southeast of downtown — rides typically cost $18-$28.
Airport Rides from Memphis
Rideshare in Memphis
Memphis is a major city in Tennessee, with a population of approximately 633,104. Uber, Lyft, and taxi services are widely available throughout the metropolitan area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uber or Lyft cheaper in Memphis?
In Memphis, Lyft is typically 3-8% cheaper than Uber for standard rides, though prices vary by time of day and demand. During surge pricing events, either service could be cheaper. We recommend comparing both before booking.
How much does an Uber cost in Memphis?
UberX rides in Memphis typically start with a base fare of $1.50-$2.55, plus $1.20-$1.75 per mile and $0.22-$0.35 per minute. A typical 5-mile ride costs approximately $10-$18 depending on traffic and demand.
Are taxis cheaper than Uber in Memphis?
In Memphis, Uber and Lyft are generally 15-30% cheaper than taxis for most rides. However, taxis don't have surge pricing, so during peak demand periods (concerts, sporting events, holidays), taxis may actually be the better deal.
What rideshare options are available in Memphis?
Memphis has Uber (UberX, Comfort, XL, Black), Lyft (Standard, XL, Lux), and local taxi services. All rideshare services are available through their respective apps. Some areas may also have local rideshare alternatives.
When is the cheapest time to get an Uber in Memphis?
The cheapest times for rideshare in Memphis are typically mid-morning (10am-12pm) and mid-afternoon (2pm-4pm) on weekdays. Avoid rush hours (7-9am, 5-7pm) and late night (12am-3am on weekends) when surge pricing is most common.
Do Uber and Lyft operate 24/7 in Memphis?
Yes, both Uber and Lyft operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in Memphis. However, wait times may be longer during very late/early hours (3am-5am) due to fewer available drivers.
More Cities in Tennessee
Compare Memphis With Other Cities
See how rideshare prices in Memphis stack up against other major US cities.
Disclaimer: Prices shown are estimates based on publicly available rate data and may differ from actual fares. Actual prices vary based on real-time demand, traffic conditions, promotions, and other factors. RideWise is not affiliated with Uber, Lyft, or any taxi company.