Freight Shipping from Des Moines to Denver
Ship freight from Des Moines, IA to Denver, CO 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
Energy & Chemicals Route
Des Moines → Denver Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
143–158
running this lane
Weekly Loads
85–98
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.16–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
78/100
Strong
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$9–$15 one-way passing through IA, CO, MO. 2 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Mon, Tue, Wed. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Des Moines to Denver Freight Corridor
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.
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.
The Des Moines-to-Denver corridor spans 791 miles via I-80, I-35, I-25, I-70. This lane connects insurance & financial services and food processing freight from the Des Moines market to aerospace & defense and technology demand in Denver. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Des Moines
Des Moines's economy is driven by insurance & financial services, food processing, agriculture, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
processed meats
corn products & ethanol
insurance documents
animal feed
soybeans
egg products
What Denver Receives
Denver's aerospace & defense, technology, natural foods & beverage sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Des Moines.
consumer goods
building materials
automotive vehicles
industrial machinery
fresh produce
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Des Moines and Denver, 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
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.
$635-$1,072 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Des Moines to Denver 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 Des Moines and Denver that drive volume on this lane.
John Deere (Des Moines Works)
Hy-Vee (HQ)
Principal Financial (HQ)
Amazon (4 facilities)
Lockheed Martin (Waterton)
Ball Corporation (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Des Moines to Denver
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.
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.
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 Des Moines and Denver — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
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.”
Destination
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.”
Return Loads from Denver
Denver generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Des Moines is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Denver
Seasonal Rate Patterns
May-Aug (produce season)
+12-18% on reefer capacity
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Jul (auto shutdown)
-8-12% available capacity, predictable
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Des Moines to Denver Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Des Moines to Denver?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Des Moines, IA to Denver, CO currently range $1,701-$2,096 (roughly $2.16-$2.66 per mile over 791 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $635-$1,072 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently tight 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 Des Moines to Denver?
Standard FTL transit from Des Moines to Denver 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 UP Des Moines Intermodal to BNSF Irondale Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Des Moines to Denver freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Des Moines commonly ships processed meats, corn products & ethanol, insurance documents, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Denver commonly receives consumer goods, building materials, automotive vehicles. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Denver to Des Moines?
Strong backhaul (scored 78/100 based on Denver's outbound commodity mix). Denver generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Des Moines is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Denver's top outbound commodities — natural & organic foods, craft beer & spirits, aerospace components — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Des Moines to Denver?
The Des Moines-to-Denver corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Energy & Chemicals Route. Des Moines's top outbound commodities include processed meats, corn products & ethanol, insurance documents, animal feed, soybeans, egg products. Denver's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, building materials, automotive vehicles, industrial machinery, fresh produce, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include insurance & financial services and food processing from Des Moines and aerospace & defense and technology in Denver.
When are rates highest on the Des Moines to Denver lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to insurance & financial services and food processing cycles. Key periods: May-Aug (produce season) (+12-18% on reefer capacity); Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Jul (auto shutdown) (-8-12% available capacity, predictable); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Mon, Tue, Wed) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Des Moines to Denver
We maintain working relationships with 143+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Des Moines–Denver 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