Freight Shipping from Minneapolis to Des Moines
Ship freight from Minneapolis, MN to Des Moines, IA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $658-$811, LTL from $368-$660. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
306 mi
Drive Time
6 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$658-$811
LTL Rate Est.
$368-$660
Fresh Food Lane
Minneapolis → Des Moines Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
152–171
running this lane
Weekly Loads
89–107
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.15–$2.67
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
56/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$3–$5 one-way passing through MN, IA. 1 typical fuel stop 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.
Minneapolis to Des Moines Freight Corridor
Minneapolis-St. Paul is the Upper Midwest's dominant freight hub, anchored by Fortune 500 shippers like Target, General Mills, 3M, and Medtronic. Target's distribution network alone generates thousands of truckloads weekly from its Midwest DCs. The Twin Cities' position at the intersection of I-94 and I-35 makes it the natural routing point for freight moving between Chicago, the Dakotas, and the Canadian border.
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 Minneapolis-to-Des Moines corridor spans 306 miles via I-35. This lane connects food processing & cpg and medical devices freight from the Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis
Minneapolis's economy is driven by food processing & cpg, medical devices, retail headquarters, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
processed foods & cereal
medical devices
retail distribution
agricultural products
machinery
printed materials
What Des Moines Receives
Des Moines's insurance & financial services, food processing, agriculture sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Minneapolis.
consumer goods
construction materials
livestock feed
agricultural chemicals
retail merchandise
technology equipment (data centers)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Minneapolis 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.
$658-$811 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.
$872-$1,117 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$964-$1,301 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.
$368-$660 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Minneapolis to Des Moines lane (306 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $658-$811 | 6 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $368-$660 | 8-10 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $995-$1,377 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Minneapolis and Des Moines that drive volume on this lane.
General Mills
Target Corporation
Medtronic
John Deere (Des Moines Works)
Hy-Vee (HQ)
Principal Financial (HQ)
Shipping Tips for Minneapolis to Des Moines
Minneapolis Seasonal Advisory
Harvest season (September-November) floods the market with grain trucks competing for capacity on I-94 and I-35. Winter weather from November through March regularly shuts down I-94 westbound, creating rate spikes and transit delays.
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.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 306 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
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 Minneapolis and Des Moines — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Minneapolis, MN
- Metro Population
- 3.7M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-94, I-35, I-494
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Midway Intermodal; UP Minneapolis Yard; CP Shoreham Yard
- Warehouse Districts
- Shakopee/Savage I-35 South, Rogers/I-94 West, Eagan/I-35E Corridor
“Minneapolis is a net-negative freight market — more goods flow in than out — which means carriers can often negotiate premium rates for outbound loads. Brokers who can offer consistent outbound volume from General Mills or 3M facilities have significant carrier recruitment advantages.”
Destination
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.”
Return Loads from Des Moines
Backhaul from Des Moines to Minneapolis requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Des Moines
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Minneapolis to Des Moines Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Minneapolis to Des Moines?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Minneapolis, MN to Des Moines, IA currently range $658-$811 (roughly $2.15-$2.67 per mile over 306 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $368-$660 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 Minneapolis to Des Moines?
Standard FTL transit from Minneapolis to Des Moines is approximately 6 hrs by truck over 306 miles, with 1 typical fuel stop 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%.
What equipment do I need for Minneapolis to Des Moines freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Minneapolis commonly ships processed foods & cereal, medical devices, retail distribution, 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 Minneapolis?
Moderate backhaul (scored 56/100 based on Des Moines's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Des Moines to Minneapolis requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Des Moines's top outbound commodities — processed meats, corn products & ethanol, insurance documents — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Minneapolis to Des Moines?
The Minneapolis-to-Des Moines corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. Minneapolis's top outbound commodities include processed foods & cereal, medical devices, retail distribution, agricultural products, machinery, printed materials. 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 food processing & CPG and medical devices from Minneapolis and insurance & financial services and food processing in Des Moines.
When are rates highest on the Minneapolis to Des Moines lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to food processing & CPG and medical devices cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); 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.
Can freight from Minneapolis to Des Moines be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 306 miles (6 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Minneapolis-to-Des Moines lane in one shift. Same-day delivery requires booking before 9 AM local time at origin and confirming dock availability at destination. Expedited service runs 5 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Minneapolis to Des Moines
We maintain working relationships with 152+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Minneapolis–Des Moines 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