Freight Shipping from Cedar Rapids to Des Moines
Ship freight from Cedar Rapids, IA to Des Moines, IA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $292-$360, LTL from $275-$516. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
136 mi
Drive Time
2 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$292-$360
LTL Rate Est.
$275-$516
Cedar Rapids to Des Moines 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.
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 Cedar Rapids-to-Des Moines corridor spans 136 miles via I-380, US-30, I-80, I-35. This lane connects cereal & grain processing and meat packing freight from the Cedar Rapids 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 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 Des Moines Receives
Des Moines's insurance & financial services, food processing, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Cedar Rapids.
consumer goods
construction materials
livestock feed
agricultural chemicals
retail merchandise
technology equipment (data centers)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Cedar Rapids 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.
$292-$360 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.
$360-$456 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.
$388-$496 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$428-$578 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Cedar Rapids to Des Moines lane (136 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $292-$360 | 2 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $275-$516 | 4-6 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $442-$612 | 2 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Cedar Rapids and Des Moines that drive volume on this lane.
Quaker Oats/PepsiCo (largest cereal plant in world)
Collins Aerospace
ADM (corn processing)
John Deere (Des Moines Works)
Hy-Vee (HQ)
Principal Financial (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Cedar Rapids to Des Moines
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.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 136 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
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 Des Moines Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Cedar Rapids to Des Moines?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Cedar Rapids, IA to Des Moines, IA currently range from $292-$360 for a standard dry van load over the 136-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $275-$516 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 Des Moines?
Standard FTL transit from Cedar Rapids to Des Moines is approximately 2 hrs by truck over 136 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 Des Moines 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. 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 Cedar Rapids?
Yes. Des Moines is a strong outbound market shipping processed meats, corn products & ethanol, insurance documents. Carriers returning from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Cedar Rapids-to-Des Moines lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Cedar Rapids to Des Moines?
The Cedar Rapids-to-Des Moines 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. 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 cereal & grain processing and meat packing from Cedar Rapids and insurance & financial services and food processing in Des Moines.
Get Exact Rates for Cedar Rapids to Des Moines
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