Freight Shipping from Dallas to Des Moines
Ship freight from Dallas, TX to Des Moines, IA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,769-$2,181, LTL from $653-$1,100. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
823 mi
Drive Time
15 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,769-$2,181
LTL Rate Est.
$653-$1,100
Dallas to Des Moines Freight Corridor
Dallas is the economic engine of the DFW metroplex, housing more Fortune 500 corporate headquarters than any city except New York. Texas Instruments and the Telecom Corridor in Richardson generate a constant flow of high-value electronics freight, while the South Dallas warehouse district contains over 150 million square feet of distribution space. The city's central location means a truck leaving Dallas can reach 93% of the U.S. population within 48 hours.
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 Dallas-to-Des Moines corridor spans 823 miles via I-35E, I-30, I-80, I-35. This lane connects technology and telecommunications freight from the Dallas 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 Dallas
Dallas's economy is driven by technology, telecommunications, financial services, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
electronics (Texas Instruments)
telecommunications equipment
consumer packaged goods
processed foods
defense systems
e-commerce shipments
What Des Moines Receives
Des Moines's insurance & financial services, food processing, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Dallas.
consumer goods
construction materials
livestock feed
agricultural chemicals
retail merchandise
technology equipment (data centers)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Dallas 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.
$1,769-$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.
$2,346-$3,004 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,592-$3,498 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.
$653-$1,100 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Dallas to Des Moines lane (823 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,769-$2,181 | 15 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $653-$1,100 | 17-19 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,675-$3,704 | 10 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,111-$1,523 | 18-20 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Dallas and Des Moines that drive volume on this lane.
Texas Instruments (HQ)
AT&T (HQ)
Amazon DFW Fulfillment Network
John Deere (Des Moines Works)
Hy-Vee (HQ)
Principal Financial (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Dallas to Des Moines
Dallas Seasonal Advisory
E-commerce fulfillment peaks massively during Q4 holidays. Construction freight is year-round due to DFW's unrelenting building boom. Texas Instruments production runs consistently but new product cycles create periodic shipping surges.
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.
Overnight Transit
This 823-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.
Dallas to Des Moines Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Dallas to Des Moines?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Dallas, TX to Des Moines, IA currently range from $1,769-$2,181 for a standard dry van load over the 823-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $653-$1,100 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 Dallas to Des Moines?
Standard FTL transit from Dallas to Des Moines is approximately 15 hrs by truck over 823 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Dallas to Des Moines freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Dallas commonly ships electronics (Texas Instruments), telecommunications equipment, consumer packaged goods, 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 Dallas?
Yes. Des Moines is a strong outbound market shipping processed meats, corn products & ethanol, insurance documents. Carriers returning from Des Moines to Dallas can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Dallas-to-Des Moines lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Dallas to Des Moines?
The Dallas-to-Des Moines corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Dallas's top outbound commodities include electronics (Texas Instruments), telecommunications equipment, consumer packaged goods, processed foods, defense systems, e-commerce shipments. 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 technology and telecommunications from Dallas and insurance & financial services and food processing in Des Moines.
Get Exact Rates for Dallas to Des Moines
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Dallas to Des Moines lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts