Freight Shipping from Denver to Des Moines
Ship freight from Denver, CO to Des Moines, IA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,701-$2,096, LTL from $635-$1,072. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
791 mi
Drive Time
14 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,701-$2,096
LTL Rate Est.
$635-$1,072
Consumer Goods Corridor
Denver → Des Moines Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
133–153
running this lane
Weekly Loads
89–104
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
56/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$9–$15 one-way passing through CO, IA, MO. 2 typical fuel stops 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.
Denver to Des Moines Freight Corridor
Denver is the Rocky Mountain region's undisputed freight hub and the last major distribution point before the I-70 mountain corridor forces carriers through some of the most challenging terrain in the lower 48. The city's booming population growth has spawned massive warehouse development along the I-76 and E-470 corridors near DIA. Denver's natural foods industry, anchored by WhiteWave, Natural Grocers, and dozens of craft producers, generates high-value reefer freight heading to both coasts.
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 Denver-to-Des Moines corridor spans 791 miles via I-25, I-70, I-80, I-35. This lane connects aerospace & defense and technology freight from the Denver 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 Denver
Denver's economy is driven by aerospace & defense, technology, natural foods & beverage, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
natural & organic foods
craft beer & spirits
aerospace components
outdoor equipment
meat products
tech hardware
What Des Moines Receives
Des Moines's insurance & financial services, food processing, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Denver.
consumer goods
construction materials
livestock feed
agricultural chemicals
retail merchandise
technology equipment (data centers)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Denver 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.
$1,701-$2,096 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.
$2,096-$2,650 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.
$2,254-$2,887 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$2,492-$3,362 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Denver to Des Moines lane (791 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,701-$2,096 | 14 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $635-$1,072 | 16-18 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,571-$3,560 | 10 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,068-$1,463 | 17-19 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Denver and Des Moines that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (4 facilities)
Lockheed Martin (Waterton)
Ball Corporation (HQ)
John Deere (Des Moines Works)
Hy-Vee (HQ)
Principal Financial (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Denver to Des Moines
Denver Seasonal Advisory
Construction season (April-October) drives flatbed demand for building materials headed to mountain resort communities. Ski season freight (equipment, supplies) peaks September-November as resorts stock up.
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 791-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.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Denver and Des Moines — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Denver, CO
- Metro Population
- 2.9M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.25-$2.60/mi
- Key Highways
- I-25, I-70, I-76
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Irondale Intermodal; UP Denver Intermodal
- Warehouse Districts
- DIA/Aurora Corridor, Henderson/I-76, Centennial/I-25 South
“Winter chain laws on I-70 west of Denver (Eisenhower Tunnel) regularly shut down truck traffic, sometimes for days. Experienced carriers build 24-48 hours of buffer into westbound Mountain Corridor loads between November and April.”
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
Backhaul from Des Moines to Denver requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
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
Denver to Des Moines Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Denver to Des Moines?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Denver, CO to Des Moines, IA currently range $1,701-$2,096 (roughly $2.17-$2.66 per mile over 791 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $635-$1,072 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 Denver to Des Moines?
Standard FTL transit from Denver to Des Moines is approximately 14 hrs by truck over 791 miles, with 2 typical fuel stops 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service via BNSF Irondale Intermodal to UP Des Moines Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Denver to Des Moines freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Denver commonly ships natural & organic foods, craft beer & spirits, aerospace components, 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 Denver?
Moderate backhaul (scored 56/100 based on Des Moines's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Des Moines to Denver requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. 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 Denver to Des Moines?
The Denver-to-Des Moines corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Denver's top outbound commodities include natural & organic foods, craft beer & spirits, aerospace components, outdoor equipment, meat products, tech hardware. 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 aerospace & defense and technology from Denver and insurance & financial services and food processing in Des Moines.
When are rates highest on the Denver to Des Moines lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to aerospace & defense and technology 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 Denver to Des Moines
We maintain working relationships with 133+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Denver–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.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts