Ames, IA
Freight hub guide — rates, shippers, parking, and opportunities for owner-operators in Ames.
140
Carriers Based Here
Truck Parking
Midwest
Region
Who Operates Out of Ames
140 active motor carriers are registered with a physical address in Ames. Here is how that base breaks down by fleet size — useful for judging whether you would be competing against owner-operators or against fleets with dedicated freight locked up.
66
Owner-operators (1 truck)
37
Small fleets (2-5)
23
Mid fleets (6-20)
4
Large fleets (20+)
47% of carriers based here run a single truck, and 11 are registered to haul hazardous materials.
Source: FMCSA Motor Carrier Census (active carriers, US physical addresses), retrieved 2026-07-18.
Average Rates Per Mile
| Equipment Type | Rate / Mile |
|---|---|
| Dry Van | $2.39 |
| Reefer | $2.76 |
| Flatbed | $2.97 |
Rates by Equipment Type
Key Highways
Top Industries
Major Distribution Centers
Top Shippers
Nearby Ports
Truck Stops
Challenges
- ISU game day congestion, campus delivery time restrictions, and I-35 winter blizzard closures.
- Winter weather creates hazardous driving conditions November through March
- Spring flooding can close river-adjacent highways
- High competition from large carrier fleets based in the region
Opportunities
- Central location provides access to loads heading in every direction
- Massive intermodal and rail hub infrastructure in Chicago area
- Strong agricultural freight during harvest season
- Lower cost of living and operating costs improve net margins
Seasonal Freight Patterns
Harvest season (August-November) generates enormous grain and produce volume. Holiday retail peaks September through December. Winter weather (November-March) causes delays but also rate spikes. Spring flooding can disrupt river-adjacent routes.
Trucking in Ames — FAQ
Nearby Freight Hubs
Other Cities in Iowa
Running freight in Ames? Get dispatched.
Our dispatch team books loads, negotiates rates, and handles the paperwork so you can keep your wheels turning in and out of Ames.