Freight Shipping from Des Moines to Memphis
Ship freight from Des Moines, IA to Memphis, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,357-$1,672, LTL from $547-$936. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
631 mi
Drive Time
11 hrs
FTL Budget Range
$1,357-$1,672
LTL Budget Range
$547-$936
Distance is road-adjusted straight-line mileage; drive time assumes 55 mph average including stops. Budget ranges apply a $2.15–$2.65 per-mile dry van band to that distance. These are planning figures, not quotes — live pricing depends on your commodity, equipment, timing and the market that week.
What actually drives the price on Des Moines → Memphis
Mileage is the starting point, not the answer. Three things move a quote on this corridor more than distance does — what comes back the other way, what season you are shipping in, and what the route costs the driver to run.
Return freight — thin
Memphis is more of an inbound market than an outbound one, at least for the commodities that move toward Des Moines. Carriers often reposition empty or route through an intermediate market on the way back, and that cost is priced into the forward rate. It is the main reason quotes on this lane can look high relative to the mileage.
Seasonal pressure
- October-December. Retail peak. Dry van capacity tightens nationally ahead of the holidays — booking two or more weeks out is the difference between a normal rate and a scramble.
- March-October. Construction season. Flatbed and step-deck demand climbs with the building calendar and stays elevated until the first hard freeze.
Cost of running it
Roughly $10–$16 in tolls one way, estimated from published commercial rates in IA, TN, IL, MO, plus about 1 fuel stop at a stop per 380 loaded miles. Exact routing and axle count will shift this.
Booking that saves money
Give more than 48 hours notice and avoid Friday-afternoon pickups. Those two habits save shippers more than negotiating does — a truck booked Tuesday for Thursday prices very differently from the same truck booked Friday morning for that afternoon.
Des Moines to Memphis 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.
Memphis is America's logistics capital, defined by FedEx's global SuperHub at Memphis International Airport — the world's busiest cargo airport. Every FedEx Express package in the Western Hemisphere passes through this facility, creating a 24/7 ground freight ecosystem of pickups, deliveries, and linehaul moves that sustains thousands of carriers. The Mississippi River port adds barge freight, and the city's five Class I railroad connections make it the most rail-served city in the nation.
The Des Moines-to-Memphis corridor spans 631 miles via I-80, I-35, I-40, I-55. This lane connects insurance & financial services and food processing freight from the Des Moines market to logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices demand in Memphis. 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 Memphis Receives
Memphis's logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Des Moines.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
consumer goods
raw cotton
steel & metals
petroleum products
agricultural inputs
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Des Moines and Memphis, 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.
$1,357-$1,672 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.
$1,672-$2,114 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.
$1,798-$2,303 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,988-$2,682 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Des Moines to Memphis lane (631 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,357-$1,672 | 11 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $547-$936 | 13-15 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,051-$2,840 | 8 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $852-$1,167 | 14-16 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Des Moines and Memphis that drive volume on this lane.
John Deere (Des Moines Works)
Hy-Vee (HQ)
Principal Financial (HQ)
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
Shipping Tips for Des Moines to Memphis
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.
Memphis Seasonal Advisory
FedEx's holiday peak season (November-January) transforms Memphis into a frenzy of carrier demand. Cotton harvest (October-December) drives outbound agricultural volume. The Mississippi River's water levels affect barge operations — low water in late summer can shift freight to trucks, spiking rates.
Overnight Transit
This 631-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 Memphis — 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
Memphis, TN
- Metro Population
- 1.3M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.00-$2.35/mi
- Key Highways
- I-40, I-55, I-240
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Memphis Intermodal; Norfolk Southern Memphis Terminal; Union Pacific Memphis Yard
- Port Access
- Port of Memphis (Mississippi River, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Memphis Airport/FedEx SuperHub, Olive Branch, MS/I-269, West Memphis, AR/I-40
“Memphis's FedEx effect means the city never sleeps logistically. Ground carriers who align their schedules with FedEx's overnight sort — picking up e-commerce freight in the evening and delivering before dawn — can access premium expedited rates that standard daytime carriers miss entirely.”
Return Loads from Memphis
Memphis is more of an inbound market than an outbound one, at least for the commodities that move toward Des Moines. Carriers often reposition empty or route through an intermediate market on the way back, and that cost is priced into the forward rate. It is the main reason quotes on this lane can look high relative to the mileage.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Memphis
Seasonal Rate Patterns
October-December
Retail peak. Dry van capacity tightens nationally ahead of the holidays — booking two or more weeks out is the difference between a normal rate and a scramble.
March-October
Construction season. Flatbed and step-deck demand climbs with the building calendar and stays elevated until the first hard freeze.
Des Moines to Memphis Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Des Moines to Memphis?
As a planning figure, budget $1,357-$1,672 for a full truckload from Des Moines, IA to Memphis, TN. That is the 631-mile lane distance run against a $2.15-$2.65 per-mile dry van range, which is a broad industry band rather than a live quote for your freight. LTL lands roughly $547-$936 depending on freight class, weight and dimensions. Real pricing moves with fuel, season, equipment type and how much notice you give — a lane like this can quote well outside that band in a tight week. Send us the details and we will price it against what carriers are actually accepting right now.
How long does freight take from Des Moines to Memphis?
Standard FTL transit from Des Moines to Memphis is approximately 11 hrs by truck over 631 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%. Intermodal rail-truck service via UP Des Moines Intermodal to BNSF Memphis Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Des Moines to Memphis 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. Memphis commonly receives e-commerce packages (FedEx), consumer goods, raw cotton. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Memphis to Des Moines?
Memphis is more of an inbound market than an outbound one, at least for the commodities that move toward Des Moines. Carriers often reposition empty or route through an intermediate market on the way back, and that cost is priced into the forward rate. It is the main reason quotes on this lane can look high relative to the mileage. Why it matters to you as a shipper: backhaul is the single least visible input into your rate. Two lanes of identical mileage can quote hundreds of dollars apart purely because one has a return load waiting and the other does not.
What commodities move from Des Moines to Memphis?
Des Moines's top outbound commodities include processed meats, corn products & ethanol, insurance documents, animal feed, soybeans, egg products. Memphis's primary inbound freight includes e-commerce packages (FedEx), consumer goods, raw cotton, steel & metals, petroleum products, agricultural inputs. The industries driving the lane are insurance & financial services and food processing on the Des Moines end and logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices in Memphis. That mix is what determines which trailer types run the corridor regularly — and a lane with steady demand for your equipment type is one where you will find a truck on short notice.
When are rates highest on the Des Moines to Memphis lane?
Rate pressure on this corridor follows the insurance & financial services and food processing calendar. October-December: Retail peak. Dry van capacity tightens nationally ahead of the holidays — booking two or more weeks out is the difference between a normal rate and a scramble. March-October: Construction season. Flatbed and step-deck demand climbs with the building calendar and stays elevated until the first hard freeze. Two habits that help regardless of season — book mid-week rather than Friday afternoon, and give more than 48 hours notice. Last-minute Friday pickups are where shippers overpay most consistently.
Get Exact Rates for Des Moines to Memphis
Tell us what you are moving on the Des Moines–Memphis corridor and we will source an FMCSA-verified carrier that fits the commodity, the timing and the budget. We check authority, insurance and safety record before a truck is ever assigned to your freight. Free quote, no obligation.
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