Des Moines, IA to Chicago, IL truckload rates
Short answer: A 53' dry van truckload from Des Moines, IA to Chicago, IL costs about $1,376 all-in, fuel included, or $4.13 per mile over 333 miles (GetShippingRates price on November 3, 2026). A reefer runs about $1,988 and a flatbed about $1,312. Expect same-day or next-day delivery with a solo driver.
Priced November 3, 2026 · All-in prices from the GetShippingRates truckload engine, fuel included
What a truck costs on this lane
| Equipment | All-in price | Per mile | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53' dry van | $1,376 | $4.13 | General freight, palletized or floor-loaded, up to about 42,000 lb |
| 53' reefer | $1,988 | $5.97 | Temperature-controlled: produce, food, beverages, pharma |
| 48' flatbed | $1,312 | $3.94 | Steel, lumber, machinery, building materials; tarps extra |
Price on November 3, 2026, not a guaranteed rate. One pickup in Des Moines and one delivery in Chicago, 333 practical miles, live load and unload, fuel included. Truckload prices change daily with capacity; the form below prices your exact date in seconds. How our prices are built.
Distance
333 miPractical truck miles, Des Moines to Chicago.
Transit
1 daySolo driver at about 500 miles a day.
Vs. similar lanes
-16%Dry van per mile against the $4.94 median for under 500 miles.
The other direction: Chicago to Des Moines
The reverse lane is $1,998 for a dry van ($6.00/mile), $622 more than Des Moines to Chicago. Truckload pricing is directional: a market that ships out more than it receives pays more to pull a truck out, and the trip back is cheaper because carriers want to reposition.
What moves the price
- Pickup date and lead time. Same-day and Friday pickups cost more; two to five days of notice gets the best price.
- Weight. Most dry vans carry up to about 42,000 to 44,000 lb. Heavier loads need special equipment or permits.
- Stops and appointments. Each extra stop adds a charge; tight delivery windows and drop trailers change the price.
- Detention and lumpers. Free time is usually two hours at each end; waiting past it, or a lumper to unload, is billed.
- Hazmat, team service, tarps and temperature. Each needs a qualified carrier or extra equipment.
Not a full truck? Under about 6 pallets or 10,000 lb, LTL is usually cheaper; between that and half a trailer, ask for a volume LTL quote. LTL vs truckload: when to switch.
More truckload rates
From Des Moines
Into Chicago
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a truckload from Des Moines to Chicago?
About $1,376 for a 53' dry van, $1,988 for a reefer and $1,312 for a flatbed, all-in with fuel, as of November 3, 2026. Truckload prices move with the market every day, so get a live quote for your pickup date.
What is the truckload rate per mile from Des Moines to Chicago?
$4.13 per mile for a dry van over 333 miles, fuel included. That is 16% below the $4.94 median for lanes of under 500 miles on GetShippingRates. Short lanes cost more per mile because loading and unloading time is spread over fewer miles.
How long does a truckload take from Des Moines to Chicago?
333 miles is about 1 driving day for one driver, who can drive up to 11 hours a day (about 500 miles). A team can run it in 1 day for a higher rate.
Why does Chicago to Des Moines cost more?
Truckload prices depend on direction. The reverse lane is $1,998 for a dry van today. Markets that ship out more freight than they take in pay more to get a truck, and trucks heading back toward busy freight markets haul for less.
What's included in the price?
One pickup and one delivery, live loading and unloading with standard free time, linehaul and fuel. Extra stops, detention, lumper fees, tarps, team service and hazmat are priced on top. Freight under about 6 pallets usually ships cheaper as LTL.
Price Des Moines to Chicago for your date
Pick the equipment and pickup date and you’ll see an all-in truckload price in seconds. Lock it in and Armstrong Transport Group’s team confirms the truck.
Prefer to talk? Call 877-240-1181 or email info@getshippingrates.com.