Freight Shipping from Cedar Rapids to St. Louis
Ship freight from Cedar Rapids, IA to St. Louis, MO with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $682-$840, LTL from $374-$669. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
317 mi
Drive Time
6 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$682-$840
LTL Rate Est.
$374-$669
Cedar Rapids to St. Louis 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.
St. Louis sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, making it a natural multimodal freight hub where barge, rail, and truck converge. Anheuser-Busch's flagship brewery ships millions of cases weekly on dedicated lane networks. Boeing's defense division in north St. Louis County produces F/A-18 and F-15 fighter jets, generating oversize military cargo requiring specialized flatbed carriers.
The Cedar Rapids-to-St. Louis corridor spans 317 miles via I-380, US-30, I-70, I-64. This lane connects cereal & grain processing and meat packing freight from the Cedar Rapids market to beer & beverage and agriculture & food demand in St. Louis. 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 St. Louis Receives
St. Louis's beer & beverage, agriculture & food, defense & aerospace sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Cedar Rapids.
raw grain & barley
aluminum cans & packaging
auto parts
consumer goods
industrial chemicals
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Cedar Rapids and St. Louis, 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.
$682-$840 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.
$840-$1,062 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$999-$1,347 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.
$374-$669 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Cedar Rapids to St. Louis lane (317 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $682-$840 | 6 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $374-$669 | 8-10 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,030-$1,427 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Cedar Rapids and St. Louis that drive volume on this lane.
Quaker Oats/PepsiCo (largest cereal plant in world)
Collins Aerospace
ADM (corn processing)
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Boeing Defense
General Motors (Wentzville)
Shipping Tips for Cedar Rapids to St. Louis
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.
St. Louis Seasonal Advisory
Beer shipments surge before major holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Super Bowl). Mississippi River flooding in spring can shut down river terminals and divert barge freight to trucks, causing temporary rate spikes.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 317 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 St. Louis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Cedar Rapids to St. Louis?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Cedar Rapids, IA to St. Louis, MO currently range from $682-$840 for a standard dry van load over the 317-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $374-$669 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 St. Louis?
Standard FTL transit from Cedar Rapids to St. Louis is approximately 6 hrs by truck over 317 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 St. Louis 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. St. Louis commonly receives raw grain & barley, aluminum cans & packaging, auto parts. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from St. Louis to Cedar Rapids?
Yes. St. Louis is a strong outbound market shipping beer & beverages, processed foods, defense equipment. Carriers returning from St. Louis to Cedar Rapids can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Cedar Rapids-to-St. Louis lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Cedar Rapids to St. Louis?
The Cedar Rapids-to-St. Louis 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. St. Louis's primary inbound freight includes raw grain & barley, aluminum cans & packaging, auto parts, consumer goods, industrial chemicals, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include cereal & grain processing and meat packing from Cedar Rapids and beer & beverage and agriculture & food in St. Louis.
Get Exact Rates for Cedar Rapids to St. Louis
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Cedar Rapids to St. Louis lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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