Freight Shipping from Houston to Des Moines
Ship freight from Houston, TX to Des Moines, IA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,301-$2,836, LTL from $789-$1,310. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,070 mi
Drive Time
19 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,301-$2,836
LTL Rate Est.
$789-$1,310
Houston to Des Moines Freight Corridor
Houston is the energy capital of the world, and its freight profile reflects it. The Houston Ship Channel — a 52-mile industrial corridor lined with the highest concentration of refineries and petrochemical plants on Earth — generates massive tanker, flatbed, and hazmat freight volumes. Port Houston ranks first in the U.S. for foreign waterborne tonnage and handles more export cargo than any other American port. The Texas Medical Center, the world's largest, adds a significant layer of pharmaceutical and medical equipment 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 Houston-to-Des Moines corridor spans 1,070 miles via I-10, I-45, I-80, I-35. This lane connects oil & gas and petrochemicals freight from the Houston 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 Houston
Houston's economy is driven by oil & gas, petrochemicals, healthcare (texas medical center), generating consistent outbound freight demand.
refined petroleum
petrochemicals
plastic resins
oilfield equipment
LNG equipment
medical devices
What Des Moines Receives
Des Moines's insurance & financial services, food processing, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Houston.
consumer goods
construction materials
livestock feed
agricultural chemicals
retail merchandise
technology equipment (data centers)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Houston 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.
$2,301-$2,836 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.
$3,050-$3,906 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,371-$4,548 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.
$789-$1,310 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Houston to Des Moines lane (1,070 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,301-$2,836 | 19 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $789-$1,310 | 21-23 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,478-$4,815 | 13 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,445-$1,980 | 22-24 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Houston and Des Moines that drive volume on this lane.
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
John Deere (Des Moines Works)
Hy-Vee (HQ)
Principal Financial (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Houston to Des Moines
Houston Seasonal Advisory
Hurricane season (June-November) is the dominant variable — storms can shut down the Ship Channel and port for days, creating massive freight backlogs and rate spikes. Petrochemical production is year-round but refinery turnarounds in spring and fall temporarily shift freight patterns.
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.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,070 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 19 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.
Houston to Des Moines Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Houston to Des Moines?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Houston, TX to Des Moines, IA currently range from $2,301-$2,836 for a standard dry van load over the 1,070-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $789-$1,310 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 Houston to Des Moines?
Standard FTL transit from Houston to Des Moines is approximately 19 hrs by truck over 1,070 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 Houston to Des Moines freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Houston commonly ships refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, 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 Houston?
Yes. Des Moines is a strong outbound market shipping processed meats, corn products & ethanol, insurance documents. Carriers returning from Des Moines to Houston can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Houston-to-Des Moines lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Houston to Des Moines?
The Houston-to-Des Moines corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Houston's top outbound commodities include refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins, oilfield equipment, LNG equipment, medical devices. 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 oil & gas and petrochemicals from Houston and insurance & financial services and food processing in Des Moines.
Get Exact Rates for Houston to Des Moines
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the Houston to Des Moines lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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