Freight Shipping from Billings to Des Moines
Ship freight from Billings, MT to Des Moines, IA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,225-$2,743, LTL from $769-$1,280. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,035 mi
Drive Time
19 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,225-$2,743
LTL Rate Est.
$769-$1,280
Billings to Des Moines Freight Corridor
Billings is Montana's largest city and the commercial hub of the northern Great Plains, serving as a distribution point for a vast rural territory stretching from the Dakotas to Idaho. Two petroleum refineries process Bakken crude oil, generating steady tanker freight. The surrounding agricultural economy produces wheat, sugar beets, and cattle that move by truck to processing plants and rail terminals.
Des Moines sits at the junction of I-80 and I-35, making it the natural crossroads of the upper Midwest agricultural belt. The city punches above its weight in freight thanks to a concentration of food processing plants (Tyson, Barilla, Kemin) and Hy-Vee's distribution network that services grocery stores across eight states. Meta's massive data center campus in Altoona has added a new dimension of high-value technology freight for server equipment and infrastructure.
The Billings-to-Des Moines corridor spans 1,035 miles via I-90, I-94, I-80, I-35. This lane connects petroleum refining and agriculture & ranching freight from the Billings market to insurance & financial services and food processing demand in Des Moines. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Billings
Billings's economy is driven by petroleum refining, agriculture & ranching, energy (oil & gas), generating consistent outbound freight demand.
refined petroleum
sugar beets
grain & wheat
livestock
bentonite clay
hay & feed
What Des Moines Receives
Des Moines's insurance & financial services, food processing, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Billings.
consumer goods
construction materials
livestock feed
agricultural chemicals
retail merchandise
technology equipment (data centers)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Billings and Des Moines, these equipment types best serve this corridor.
Dry Van (FTL)
Ideal for palletized consumer goods, electronics, packaged foods, and general merchandise. Enclosed protection from weather and theft.
$2,225-$2,743 estimated for this lane
Flatbed
Best for steel, lumber, machinery, building materials, and oversized loads that cannot be palletized or loaded through standard dock doors.
$2,950-$3,778 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,260-$4,399 estimated for this lane
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
Cost-effective for shipments under 10,000 lbs or fewer than 10 pallets. Shared trailer space with other shippers reduces cost for smaller loads.
$769-$1,280 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Billings to Des Moines lane (1,035 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,225-$2,743 | 19 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $769-$1,280 | 21-23 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,364-$4,658 | 13 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,397-$1,915 | 22-24 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Billings and Des Moines that drive volume on this lane.
CHS Refinery (Laurel)
ExxonMobil Billings Refinery
Western Sugar Cooperative
John Deere (Des Moines Works)
Hy-Vee (HQ)
Principal Financial (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Billings to Des Moines
Billings Seasonal Advisory
Grain harvest (August-October) creates intense demand for hopper trailers and flatbeds. Winter conditions on I-90 over the mountain passes can close roads for days, creating delivery reliability challenges from November through March.
Des Moines Seasonal Advisory
Harvest season (September-November) transforms the freight market as grain trucks flood the highways and competition for drivers intensifies. Holiday food processing peaks October through December. Data center construction freight has become a year-round constant.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,035 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 19 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
Book Early for Best Rates
Spot market rates fluctuate daily. Booking 3-5 days in advance typically saves 10-15% compared to same-day or next-day freight requests. For recurring shipments, ask about contract rates.
Billings to Des Moines Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Billings to Des Moines?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Billings, MT to Des Moines, IA currently range from $2,225-$2,743 for a standard dry van load over the 1,035-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $769-$1,280 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Request a custom quote for exact pricing based on your specific shipment details.
How long does freight take from Billings to Des Moines?
Standard FTL transit from Billings to Des Moines is approximately 19 hrs by truck over 1,035 miles. LTL shipments add 2-4 business days due to terminal transfers. Expedited service with team drivers can reduce FTL transit by up to 40%. Intermodal rail-truck service takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Billings to Des Moines freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Billings commonly ships refined petroleum, sugar beets, grain & wheat, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Des Moines commonly receives consumer goods, construction materials, livestock feed. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Des Moines to Billings?
Yes. Des Moines is a strong outbound market shipping processed meats, corn products & ethanol, insurance documents. Carriers returning from Des Moines to Billings can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Billings-to-Des Moines lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Billings to Des Moines?
The Billings-to-Des Moines corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Billings's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, sugar beets, grain & wheat, livestock, bentonite clay, hay & feed. Des Moines's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, construction materials, livestock feed, agricultural chemicals, retail merchandise, technology equipment (data centers). Industries driving this lane include petroleum refining and agriculture & ranching from Billings and insurance & financial services and food processing in Des Moines.
Get Exact Rates for Billings to Des Moines
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Billings to Des Moines lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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