Freight Shipping from Memphis to Des Moines
Ship freight from Memphis, TN to Des Moines, IA 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 Rate Est.
$1,357-$1,672
LTL Rate Est.
$547-$936
Memphis to Des Moines Freight Corridor
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.
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 Memphis-to-Des Moines corridor spans 631 miles via I-40, I-55, I-80, I-35. This lane connects logistics & distribution (fedex) and medical devices freight from the Memphis 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 Memphis
Memphis's economy is driven by logistics & distribution (fedex), medical devices, agriculture, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
e-commerce packages (FedEx)
medical devices
cotton
lumber
processed foods
automotive parts
What Des Moines Receives
Des Moines's insurance & financial services, food processing, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Memphis.
consumer goods
construction materials
livestock feed
agricultural chemicals
retail merchandise
technology equipment (data centers)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Memphis 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.
$1,357-$1,672 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
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.
$547-$936 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Memphis to Des Moines 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 Memphis and Des Moines that drive volume on this lane.
FedEx (Global HQ & SuperHub)
Smith & Nephew
International Paper
John Deere (Des Moines Works)
Hy-Vee (HQ)
Principal Financial (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Memphis to Des Moines
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.
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 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.
Memphis to Des Moines Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Memphis to Des Moines?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Memphis, TN to Des Moines, IA currently range from $1,357-$1,672 for a standard dry van load over the 631-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $547-$936 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 Memphis to Des Moines?
Standard FTL transit from Memphis to Des Moines is approximately 11 hrs by truck over 631 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 Memphis to Des Moines freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Memphis commonly ships e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, 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 Memphis?
Yes. Des Moines is a strong outbound market shipping processed meats, corn products & ethanol, insurance documents. Carriers returning from Des Moines to Memphis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Memphis-to-Des Moines lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Memphis to Des Moines?
The Memphis-to-Des Moines corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Memphis's top outbound commodities include e-commerce packages (FedEx), medical devices, cotton, lumber, processed foods, automotive parts. 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 logistics & distribution (FedEx) and medical devices from Memphis and insurance & financial services and food processing in Des Moines.
Get Exact Rates for Memphis to Des Moines
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