Freight Shipping from St. Louis to Cedar Rapids
Ship freight from St. Louis, MO to Cedar Rapids, IA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $682-$840, LTL from $374-$669. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
317 mi
Drive Time
6 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$682-$840
LTL Rate Est.
$374-$669
St. Louis to Cedar Rapids Freight Corridor
St. Louis sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, making it a natural multimodal freight hub where barge, rail, and truck converge. Anheuser-Busch's flagship brewery ships millions of cases weekly on dedicated lane networks. Boeing's defense division in north St. Louis County produces F/A-18 and F-15 fighter jets, generating oversize military cargo requiring specialized flatbed carriers.
Cedar Rapids is the cereal capital of the world, home to Quaker Oats' largest production facility, multiple ADM and Cargill processing plants, and a constellation of smaller food manufacturers that together process more grain per capita than any other US city. Collins Aerospace's avionics division adds a high-tech freight dimension, shipping flight-critical electronics to aircraft manufacturers worldwide. The Cedar River provides limited barge access, but the vast majority of freight moves by truck on I-380 toward Chicago or Des Moines.
The St. Louis-to-Cedar Rapids corridor spans 317 miles via I-70, I-64, I-380, US-30. This lane connects beer & beverage and agriculture & food freight from the St. Louis market to cereal & grain processing and meat packing demand in Cedar Rapids. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from St. Louis
St. Louis's economy is driven by beer & beverage, agriculture & food, defense & aerospace, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
beer & beverages
processed foods
defense equipment
vehicles (GM)
chemicals
grain products
What Cedar Rapids Receives
Cedar Rapids's cereal & grain processing, meat packing, agricultural equipment sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like St. Louis.
raw grain (corn, oats, wheat)
packaging materials
electronic components
sugar
food additives
industrial chemicals
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between St. Louis and Cedar Rapids, 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.
$682-$840 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.
$840-$1,062 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$999-$1,347 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.
$374-$669 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the St. Louis to Cedar Rapids lane (317 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $682-$840 | 6 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $374-$669 | 8-10 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,030-$1,427 | 4 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both St. Louis and Cedar Rapids that drive volume on this lane.
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Boeing Defense
General Motors (Wentzville)
Quaker Oats/PepsiCo (largest cereal plant in world)
Collins Aerospace
ADM (corn processing)
Shipping Tips for St. Louis to Cedar Rapids
St. Louis Seasonal Advisory
Beer shipments surge before major holidays (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Super Bowl). Mississippi River flooding in spring can shut down river terminals and divert barge freight to trucks, causing temporary rate spikes.
Cedar Rapids Seasonal Advisory
Grain processing is year-round, but harvest season (September-November) creates intense competition for trucks as bulk grain, ethanol, and finished products all peak simultaneously. Cereal shipments spike ahead of back-to-school and holiday periods.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 317 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.
St. Louis to Cedar Rapids Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from St. Louis to Cedar Rapids?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from St. Louis, MO to Cedar Rapids, IA currently range from $682-$840 for a standard dry van load over the 317-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $374-$669 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 St. Louis to Cedar Rapids?
Standard FTL transit from St. Louis to Cedar Rapids is approximately 6 hrs by truck over 317 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 St. Louis to Cedar Rapids freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. St. Louis commonly ships beer & beverages, processed foods, defense equipment, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Cedar Rapids commonly receives raw grain (corn, oats, wheat), packaging materials, electronic components. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Cedar Rapids to St. Louis?
Yes. Cedar Rapids is a strong outbound market shipping cereal products, corn syrup & starch, processed meats. Carriers returning from Cedar Rapids to St. Louis can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the St. Louis-to-Cedar Rapids lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from St. Louis to Cedar Rapids?
The St. Louis-to-Cedar Rapids corridor handles a diverse freight mix. St. Louis's top outbound commodities include beer & beverages, processed foods, defense equipment, vehicles (GM), chemicals, grain products. Cedar Rapids's primary inbound freight includes raw grain (corn, oats, wheat), packaging materials, electronic components, sugar, food additives, industrial chemicals. Industries driving this lane include beer & beverage and agriculture & food from St. Louis and cereal & grain processing and meat packing in Cedar Rapids.
Get Exact Rates for St. Louis to Cedar Rapids
Tell us about your freight and we will match you with a vetted carrier who runs the St. Louis to Cedar Rapids lane regularly. Free quote, no obligation.
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