Freight Shipping from Cedar Rapids to Nashville
Ship freight from Cedar Rapids, IA to Nashville, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,339-$1,651, LTL from $543-$930. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
623 mi
Drive Time
11 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,339-$1,651
LTL Rate Est.
$543-$930
Cedar Rapids to Nashville 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.
Nashville has emerged as one of America's fastest-growing freight markets, fueled by explosive population growth and a diversified economy anchored by healthcare and automotive. Nissan's Smyrna assembly plant — the most productive auto plant in North America — builds 640,000+ vehicles annually, while HCA Healthcare's headquarters drives medical supply distribution across 180+ hospitals. The I-40/I-65/I-24 triple junction gives Nashville reach to virtually every major market east of the Rockies.
The Cedar Rapids-to-Nashville corridor spans 623 miles via I-380, US-30, I-40, I-65. This lane connects cereal & grain processing and meat packing freight from the Cedar Rapids market to healthcare and music & entertainment demand in Nashville. 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 Nashville Receives
Nashville's healthcare, music & entertainment, automotive manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Cedar Rapids.
automotive components
consumer electronics
construction materials
food products
retail merchandise
medical supplies
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Cedar Rapids and Nashville, 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.
$1,339-$1,651 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.
$1,651-$2,087 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.
$1,776-$2,274 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.
$543-$930 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Cedar Rapids to Nashville lane (623 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,339-$1,651 | 11 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $543-$930 | 13-15 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,025-$2,804 | 8 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Cedar Rapids and Nashville that drive volume on this lane.
Quaker Oats/PepsiCo (largest cereal plant in world)
Collins Aerospace
ADM (corn processing)
Nissan North America (HQ & Smyrna Plant)
HCA Healthcare (HQ)
Bridgestone Americas (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Cedar Rapids to Nashville
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.
Nashville Seasonal Advisory
Nissan production runs year-round with brief shutdowns in July and December. Healthcare supply distribution peaks during flu season (October-March). The massive construction boom for Nashville's growth creates steady building material demand March through November.
Overnight Transit
This 623-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 Nashville Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Cedar Rapids to Nashville?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Cedar Rapids, IA to Nashville, TN currently range from $1,339-$1,651 for a standard dry van load over the 623-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $543-$930 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 Nashville?
Standard FTL transit from Cedar Rapids to Nashville is approximately 11 hrs by truck over 623 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 Nashville 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. Nashville commonly receives automotive components, consumer electronics, construction materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Nashville to Cedar Rapids?
Yes. Nashville is a strong outbound market shipping healthcare products, automotive parts (Nissan), consumer goods. Carriers returning from Nashville to Cedar Rapids can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Cedar Rapids-to-Nashville lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Cedar Rapids to Nashville?
The Cedar Rapids-to-Nashville 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. Nashville's primary inbound freight includes automotive components, consumer electronics, construction materials, food products, retail merchandise, medical supplies. Industries driving this lane include cereal & grain processing and meat packing from Cedar Rapids and healthcare and music & entertainment in Nashville.
Get Exact Rates for Cedar Rapids to Nashville
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Cedar Rapids to Nashville lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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