Freight Shipping from Cedar Rapids to Little Rock
Ship freight from Cedar Rapids, IA to Little Rock, AR with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,400-$1,725, LTL from $558-$953. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
651 mi
Drive Time
12 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,400-$1,725
LTL Rate Est.
$558-$953
Cedar Rapids to Little Rock 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.
Little Rock benefits from its central US location at the junction of I-40 and I-30, putting it within a day's drive of Dallas, Memphis, Kansas City, and St. Louis. The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System connects the metro to inland barge traffic, creating intermodal opportunities for bulk shippers. The North Little Rock rail yards are among the busiest in the mid-South, with UP and BNSF both running major classification operations.
The Cedar Rapids-to-Little Rock corridor spans 651 miles via I-380, US-30, I-40, I-30. This lane connects cereal & grain processing and meat packing freight from the Cedar Rapids market to food processing and steel manufacturing demand in Little Rock. 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 Little Rock Receives
Little Rock's food processing, steel manufacturing, defense sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Cedar Rapids.
raw steel
consumer goods
agricultural chemicals
petroleum products
packaging materials
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Cedar Rapids and Little Rock, 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.
$1,400-$1,725 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.
$1,725-$2,181 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.
$1,855-$2,376 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,051-$2,767 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Cedar Rapids to Little Rock lane (651 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,400-$1,725 | 12 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $558-$953 | 14-16 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,116-$2,930 | 8 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Cedar Rapids and Little Rock that drive volume on this lane.
Quaker Oats/PepsiCo (largest cereal plant in world)
Collins Aerospace
ADM (corn processing)
Dillard's (HQ)
Welspun Tubular
L'Oreal Manufacturing
Shipping Tips for Cedar Rapids to Little Rock
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.
Little Rock Seasonal Advisory
Rice harvest (August-October) drives bulk and hopper trailer demand. Post-Thanksgiving through Christmas, Dillard's distribution network creates retail surge freight on lanes to the Southeast and Midwest.
Overnight Transit
This 651-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 Little Rock Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Cedar Rapids to Little Rock?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Cedar Rapids, IA to Little Rock, AR currently range from $1,400-$1,725 for a standard dry van load over the 651-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $558-$953 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 Little Rock?
Standard FTL transit from Cedar Rapids to Little Rock is approximately 12 hrs by truck over 651 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 Little Rock 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. Little Rock commonly receives raw steel, consumer goods, agricultural chemicals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Little Rock to Cedar Rapids?
Yes. Little Rock is a strong outbound market shipping processed poultry, steel products, rice & grains. Carriers returning from Little Rock to Cedar Rapids can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Cedar Rapids-to-Little Rock lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Cedar Rapids to Little Rock?
The Cedar Rapids-to-Little Rock 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. Little Rock's primary inbound freight includes raw steel, consumer goods, agricultural chemicals, petroleum products, packaging materials, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include cereal & grain processing and meat packing from Cedar Rapids and food processing and steel manufacturing in Little Rock.
Get Exact Rates for Cedar Rapids to Little Rock
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