Freight Shipping from Evansville to Des Moines
Ship freight from Evansville, IN to Des Moines, IA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $1,137-$1,402, LTL from $491-$850. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
529 mi
Drive Time
10 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$1,137-$1,402
LTL Rate Est.
$491-$850
Evansville to Des Moines Freight Corridor
Evansville anchors the tri-state corner where Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois meet, and its freight economy revolves around Toyota's massive Princeton plant that builds Highlanders and Sequoias for the North American market. Berry Global, the world's largest plastics packaging company, is headquartered here and operates multiple manufacturing facilities generating steady dry van volume. The Port of Indiana-Mount Vernon on the Ohio River adds barge-to-truck intermodal capabilities for bulk freight.
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 Evansville-to-Des Moines corridor spans 529 miles via I-69, US-41, I-80, I-35. This lane connects automotive manufacturing and plastics & packaging freight from the Evansville 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 Evansville
Evansville's economy is driven by automotive manufacturing, plastics & packaging, pharmaceutical, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
Toyota SUVs
plastic packaging
aluminum products
pharmaceutical products
refrigeration units
processed foods
What Des Moines Receives
Des Moines's insurance & financial services, food processing, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Evansville.
consumer goods
construction materials
livestock feed
agricultural chemicals
retail merchandise
technology equipment (data centers)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Evansville 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.
$1,137-$1,402 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.
$1,508-$1,931 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,666-$2,248 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.
$491-$850 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Evansville to Des Moines lane (529 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $1,137-$1,402 | 10 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $491-$850 | 12-14 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,719-$2,381 | 6 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Evansville and Des Moines that drive volume on this lane.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana
Berry Global (HQ)
Alcoa Warrick Operations
John Deere (Des Moines Works)
Hy-Vee (HQ)
Principal Financial (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Evansville to Des Moines
Evansville Seasonal Advisory
Toyota production runs 50 weeks per year with brief shutdowns in July and late December. Aluminum smelter output is year-round. Ohio River barge traffic slows during low-water periods in late summer and early fall.
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 529-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.
Evansville to Des Moines Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Evansville to Des Moines?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Evansville, IN to Des Moines, IA currently range from $1,137-$1,402 for a standard dry van load over the 529-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $491-$850 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 Evansville to Des Moines?
Standard FTL transit from Evansville to Des Moines is approximately 10 hrs by truck over 529 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%.
What equipment do I need for Evansville to Des Moines freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Evansville commonly ships Toyota SUVs, plastic packaging, aluminum products, 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 Evansville?
Yes. Des Moines is a strong outbound market shipping processed meats, corn products & ethanol, insurance documents. Carriers returning from Des Moines to Evansville can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Evansville-to-Des Moines lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Evansville to Des Moines?
The Evansville-to-Des Moines corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Evansville's top outbound commodities include Toyota SUVs, plastic packaging, aluminum products, pharmaceutical products, refrigeration units, processed foods. 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 automotive manufacturing and plastics & packaging from Evansville and insurance & financial services and food processing in Des Moines.
Get Exact Rates for Evansville to Des Moines
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