Freight Shipping from Cedar Rapids to Dallas
Ship freight from Cedar Rapids, IA to Dallas, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,944-$2,396, LTL from $697-$1,168. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
904 mi
Drive Time
16 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,944-$2,396
LTL Rate Est.
$697-$1,168
Cedar Rapids to Dallas Freight Corridor
Cedar Rapids is the cereal capital of the world, home to Quaker Oats' largest production facility, multiple ADM and Cargill processing plants, and a constellation of smaller food manufacturers that together process more grain per capita than any other US city. Collins Aerospace's avionics division adds a high-tech freight dimension, shipping flight-critical electronics to aircraft manufacturers worldwide. The Cedar River provides limited barge access, but the vast majority of freight moves by truck on I-380 toward Chicago or Des Moines.
Dallas is the economic engine of the DFW metroplex, housing more Fortune 500 corporate headquarters than any city except New York. Texas Instruments and the Telecom Corridor in Richardson generate a constant flow of high-value electronics freight, while the South Dallas warehouse district contains over 150 million square feet of distribution space. The city's central location means a truck leaving Dallas can reach 93% of the U.S. population within 48 hours.
The Cedar Rapids-to-Dallas corridor spans 904 miles via I-380, US-30, I-35E, I-30. This lane connects cereal & grain processing and meat packing freight from the Cedar Rapids market to technology and telecommunications demand in Dallas. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids's economy is driven by cereal & grain processing, meat packing, agricultural equipment, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
cereal products
corn syrup & starch
processed meats
ethanol
avionics systems
oat products
What Dallas Receives
Dallas's technology, telecommunications, financial services sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Cedar Rapids.
consumer goods
raw materials
electronic components
building materials
imported merchandise
petroleum products
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Cedar Rapids and Dallas, 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.
$1,944-$2,396 estimated for this lane
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Required for temperature-sensitive freight including fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Maintains precise temperature control throughout transit.
$2,396-$3,028 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.
$2,576-$3,300 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,848-$3,842 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Cedar Rapids to Dallas lane (904 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,944-$2,396 | 16 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $697-$1,168 | 18-20 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,938-$4,068 | 11 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Cedar Rapids and Dallas that drive volume on this lane.
Quaker Oats/PepsiCo (largest cereal plant in world)
Collins Aerospace
ADM (corn processing)
Texas Instruments (HQ)
AT&T (HQ)
Amazon DFW Fulfillment Network
Shipping Tips for Cedar Rapids to Dallas
Cedar Rapids Seasonal Advisory
Grain processing is year-round, but harvest season (September-November) creates intense competition for trucks as bulk grain, ethanol, and finished products all peak simultaneously. Cereal shipments spike ahead of back-to-school and holiday periods.
Dallas Seasonal Advisory
E-commerce fulfillment peaks massively during Q4 holidays. Construction freight is year-round due to DFW's unrelenting building boom. Texas Instruments production runs consistently but new product cycles create periodic shipping surges.
Overnight Transit
This 904-mile route typically requires one overnight stop for a solo driver. Schedule pickup before noon for next-day delivery in most cases.
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.
Cedar Rapids to Dallas Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Cedar Rapids to Dallas?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Cedar Rapids, IA to Dallas, TX currently range from $1,944-$2,396 for a standard dry van load over the 904-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $697-$1,168 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 Cedar Rapids to Dallas?
Standard FTL transit from Cedar Rapids to Dallas is approximately 16 hrs by truck over 904 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%.
What equipment do I need for Cedar Rapids to Dallas freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Cedar Rapids commonly ships cereal products, corn syrup & starch, processed meats, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Dallas commonly receives consumer goods, raw materials, electronic components. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Dallas to Cedar Rapids?
Yes. Dallas is a strong outbound market shipping electronics (Texas Instruments), telecommunications equipment, consumer packaged goods. Carriers returning from Dallas to Cedar Rapids can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Cedar Rapids-to-Dallas lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Cedar Rapids to Dallas?
The Cedar Rapids-to-Dallas corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Cedar Rapids's top outbound commodities include cereal products, corn syrup & starch, processed meats, ethanol, avionics systems, oat products. Dallas's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, raw materials, electronic components, building materials, imported merchandise, petroleum products. Industries driving this lane include cereal & grain processing and meat packing from Cedar Rapids and technology and telecommunications in Dallas.
Get Exact Rates for Cedar Rapids to Dallas
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