Freight Shipping from Des Moines to Salt Lake City
Ship freight from Des Moines, IA to Salt Lake City, UT with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,655-$3,273, LTL from $879-$1,450. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,235 mi
Drive Time
22 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,655-$3,273
LTL Rate Est.
$879-$1,450
Consumer Goods Corridor
Des Moines → Salt Lake City Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
108–123
running this lane
Weekly Loads
87–103
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
72/100
Strong
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$12–$19 one-way passing through IA, UT. 3 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.
Des Moines to Salt Lake City 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.
Salt Lake City is the Intermountain West's primary logistics gateway, sitting at the junction of I-15 and I-80 — the only major east-west corridor between Denver and the West Coast. The Bingham Canyon copper mine, the world's largest open-pit mine, generates heavy-haul mining equipment and concentrate freight. Silicon Slopes tech companies along the I-15 corridor from Provo to Ogden create a growing base of e-commerce and electronics shipments requiring fast, reliable service.
The Des Moines-to-Salt Lake City corridor spans 1,235 miles via I-80. This lane connects insurance & financial services and food processing freight from the Des Moines market to technology (silicon slopes) and mining & minerals demand in Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City Receives
Salt Lake City's technology (silicon slopes), mining & minerals, aerospace & defense sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Des Moines.
consumer goods
building materials
raw minerals
vehicles
fuel products
retail merchandise
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Des Moines and Salt Lake City, 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.
$2,655-$3,273 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.
$3,273-$4,137 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.
$3,520-$4,508 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.
$879-$1,450 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Des Moines to Salt Lake City lane (1,235 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,655-$3,273 | 22 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $879-$1,450 | 24-26 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $4,014-$5,558 | 15 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,667-$2,285 | 25-27 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Des Moines and Salt Lake City that drive volume on this lane.
John Deere (Des Moines Works)
Hy-Vee (HQ)
Principal Financial (HQ)
Rio Tinto Kennecott (Bingham Canyon Mine)
L3Harris Technologies
Overstock.com
Shipping Tips for Des Moines to Salt Lake City
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.
Salt Lake City Seasonal Advisory
Ski season (November-April) drives hospitality and recreation freight to resort towns. Mining operations run year-round but production peaks in dry summer months. Construction activity slows during harsh winter months but the region's growth means it never truly stops.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,235 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 22 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
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 Salt Lake City — 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
Salt Lake City, UT
- Metro Population
- 1.3M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.25-$2.65/mi
- Key Highways
- I-15, I-80, I-215
- Rail / Intermodal
- Union Pacific Salt Lake City Intermodal; BNSF Salt Lake Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- West Valley City/I-215 Belt, North Salt Lake/I-15 North, Salt Lake City International Airport Area
“SLC's geographic isolation is both challenge and opportunity — the city is 500+ miles from the nearest major market (Denver or Las Vegas). Carriers who commit to regular SLC lanes build strong relationships with shippers desperate for reliable capacity, often earning above-market rates due to the repositioning miles involved.”
Return Loads from Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
Seasonal Rate Patterns
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 Salt Lake City Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Des Moines to Salt Lake City?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Des Moines, IA to Salt Lake City, UT currently range $2,655-$3,273 (roughly $2.17-$2.65 per mile over 1,235 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $879-$1,450 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 Des Moines to Salt Lake City?
Standard FTL transit from Des Moines to Salt Lake City is approximately 22 hrs by truck over 1,235 miles, with 3 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 Union Pacific Salt Lake City Intermodal takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Des Moines to Salt Lake City 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. Salt Lake City commonly receives consumer goods, building materials, raw minerals. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Salt Lake City to Des Moines?
Strong backhaul (scored 72/100 based on Salt Lake City's outbound commodity mix). Salt Lake City generates consistent outbound volume. Backhaul to Des Moines is generally available within 2-3 days at 65-78% of forward rate. Salt Lake City's top outbound commodities — copper & minerals, electronics, outdoor recreation equipment — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Des Moines to Salt Lake City?
The Des Moines-to-Salt Lake City corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Des Moines's top outbound commodities include processed meats, corn products & ethanol, insurance documents, animal feed, soybeans, egg products. Salt Lake City's primary inbound freight includes consumer goods, building materials, raw minerals, vehicles, fuel products, retail merchandise. Industries driving this lane include insurance & financial services and food processing from Des Moines and technology (Silicon Slopes) and mining & minerals in Salt Lake City.
When are rates highest on the Des Moines to Salt Lake City lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to insurance & financial services and food processing cycles. Key periods: 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 (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Des Moines to Salt Lake City
We maintain working relationships with 108+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Des Moines–Salt Lake City 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