Freight Shipping from Chicago to Des Moines
Ship freight from Chicago, IL to Des Moines, IA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $866-$1,068, LTL from $422-$743. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
403 mi
Drive Time
7 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$866-$1,068
LTL Rate Est.
$422-$743
Consumer Goods Corridor
Chicago → Des Moines Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
157–173
running this lane
Weekly Loads
83–102
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
88/100
Excellent
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$10–$16 one-way passing through IL, IA, IN. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Chicago to Des Moines Freight Corridor
Chicago is the freight capital of North America, full stop. One-third of all US rail freight passes through the metro, and the I-55/I-80 corridor south of the city contains the highest concentration of intermodal facilities and mega-distribution centers in the world. BNSF's Logistics Park Chicago in Elwood alone processes over 2 million container lifts annually. The I-294 corridor warehouses from Bedford Park to Elk Grove Village process more cross-dock volume than any other US metro, making Chicago the pivot point for transcontinental freight in every direction.
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 Chicago-to-Des Moines corridor spans 403 miles via I-90, I-94, I-80, I-35. This lane connects logistics & intermodal and food manufacturing freight from the Chicago 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 Chicago
Chicago's economy is driven by logistics & intermodal, food manufacturing, financial services, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
processed foods
steel products
pharmaceuticals
industrial machinery
electronics
printed materials
What Des Moines Receives
Des Moines's insurance & financial services, food processing, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Chicago.
consumer goods
construction materials
livestock feed
agricultural chemicals
retail merchandise
technology equipment (data centers)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Chicago 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.
$866-$1,068 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.
$1,068-$1,350 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.
$1,149-$1,471 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,269-$1,713 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Chicago to Des Moines lane (403 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $866-$1,068 | 7 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $422-$743 | 9-11 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,310-$1,814 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Chicago and Des Moines that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (15+ facilities)
Walmart (Elwood mega-DC)
Abbott Laboratories
John Deere (Des Moines Works)
Hy-Vee (HQ)
Principal Financial (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Chicago to Des Moines
Chicago Seasonal Advisory
Holiday import season (September-December) pushes intermodal yards to capacity. Agricultural export season (October-January) adds grain and soybean volume. January-February is the slowest period, with spot rates often dropping 15-20% below annual averages.
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 403 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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Chicago and Des Moines — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Chicago, IL
- Metro Population
- 9.5M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-90, I-94, I-55
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Logistics Park Chicago (Elwood); UP Global IV (Joliet); NS Landers Yard; CSX 59th Street Intermodal; BNSF Corwith Yard; UP Yard Center
- Warehouse Districts
- I-55/Joliet Corridor, I-80/Elwood-Channahon, O'Hare/Elk Grove Village, I-294/Bedford Park
“Chicago's notorious rail congestion means intermodal containers can sit for 3-5 days waiting for a rail slot, a hidden cost that makes truck competitive on lanes up to 1,500 miles. Savvy shippers keep a truck backup option for time-sensitive loads during peak rail congestion in Q4.”
Destination
Des Moines, IA
- Metro Population
- 699K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.00-$2.35/mi
- Key Highways
- I-80, I-35, I-235
- Rail / Intermodal
- UP Des Moines Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- Ankeny/I-35 North, Altoona/I-80 East, Grimes/I-80/I-35
“Iowa's 80/35 interchange is the most critical truck routing decision point between Chicago and the Great Plains. Carriers heading west can choose I-80 toward Omaha or I-35 toward Kansas City, and rate differentials between these two lanes can swing 15-20% depending on seasonal demand.”
Return Loads from Des Moines
Des Moines is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Chicago typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Des Moines
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Chicago to Des Moines Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Chicago to Des Moines?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Chicago, IL to Des Moines, IA currently range $866-$1,068 (roughly $2.15-$2.66 per mile over 403 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $422-$743 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced on this corridor, so booking 3-5 days out locks in the best pricing. Request a custom quote for exact rates.
How long does freight take from Chicago to Des Moines?
Standard FTL transit from Chicago to Des Moines is approximately 7 hrs by truck over 403 miles, with 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor. 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 Chicago to Des Moines freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Chicago commonly ships processed foods, steel products, pharmaceuticals, 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 Chicago?
Excellent backhaul (scored 88/100 based on Des Moines's outbound commodity mix). Des Moines is a strong outbound freight market. Carriers returning to Chicago typically secure backhaul within 24-48 hours, often at 75-85% of the forward rate. Des Moines's top outbound commodities — processed meats, corn products & ethanol, insurance documents — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Chicago to Des Moines?
The Chicago-to-Des Moines corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Chicago's top outbound commodities include processed foods, steel products, pharmaceuticals, industrial machinery, electronics, printed materials. 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 logistics & intermodal and food manufacturing from Chicago and insurance & financial services and food processing in Des Moines.
When are rates highest on the Chicago to Des Moines lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to logistics & intermodal and food manufacturing cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Chicago to Des Moines
We maintain working relationships with 157+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Chicago–Des Moines corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
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