Freight Shipping from Des Moines to Nashville
Ship freight from Des Moines, IA to Nashville, TN with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,468-$1,810, LTL from $576-$981. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
683 mi
Drive Time
12 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,468-$1,810
LTL Rate Est.
$576-$981
Des Moines to Nashville 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.
Nashville has emerged as one of America's fastest-growing freight markets, fueled by explosive population growth and a diversified economy anchored by healthcare and automotive. Nissan's Smyrna assembly plant — the most productive auto plant in North America — builds 640,000+ vehicles annually, while HCA Healthcare's headquarters drives medical supply distribution across 180+ hospitals. The I-40/I-65/I-24 triple junction gives Nashville reach to virtually every major market east of the Rockies.
The Des Moines-to-Nashville corridor spans 683 miles via I-80, I-35, I-40, I-65. This lane connects insurance & financial services and food processing freight from the Des Moines market to healthcare and music & entertainment demand in Nashville. 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 Nashville Receives
Nashville's healthcare, music & entertainment, automotive manufacturing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Des Moines.
automotive components
consumer electronics
construction materials
food products
retail merchandise
medical supplies
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Des Moines and Nashville, 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.
$1,468-$1,810 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.
$1,810-$2,288 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.
$1,947-$2,493 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.
$576-$981 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Des Moines to Nashville lane (683 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,468-$1,810 | 12 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $576-$981 | 14-16 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $2,220-$3,074 | 8 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $922-$1,264 | 15-17 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Des Moines and Nashville that drive volume on this lane.
John Deere (Des Moines Works)
Hy-Vee (HQ)
Principal Financial (HQ)
Nissan North America (HQ & Smyrna Plant)
HCA Healthcare (HQ)
Bridgestone Americas (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Des Moines to Nashville
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.
Nashville Seasonal Advisory
Nissan production runs year-round with brief shutdowns in July and December. Healthcare supply distribution peaks during flu season (October-March). The massive construction boom for Nashville's growth creates steady building material demand March through November.
Overnight Transit
This 683-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.
Des Moines to Nashville Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Des Moines to Nashville?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Des Moines, IA to Nashville, TN currently range from $1,468-$1,810 for a standard dry van load over the 683-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $576-$981 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 Des Moines to Nashville?
Standard FTL transit from Des Moines to Nashville is approximately 12 hrs by truck over 683 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 Des Moines to Nashville 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. Nashville commonly receives automotive components, consumer electronics, construction materials. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Nashville to Des Moines?
Yes. Nashville is a strong outbound market shipping healthcare products, automotive parts (Nissan), consumer goods. Carriers returning from Nashville to Des Moines can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Des Moines-to-Nashville lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Des Moines to Nashville?
The Des Moines-to-Nashville corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Des Moines's top outbound commodities include processed meats, corn products & ethanol, insurance documents, animal feed, soybeans, egg products. Nashville's primary inbound freight includes automotive components, consumer electronics, construction materials, food products, retail merchandise, medical supplies. Industries driving this lane include insurance & financial services and food processing from Des Moines and healthcare and music & entertainment in Nashville.
Get Exact Rates for Des Moines to Nashville
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Des Moines to Nashville lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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