Intermodal Trucking in Des Moines, IA

Market rates, top lanes, earnings estimates, and freight insights for intermodal owner-operators in Des Moines.

$2.18

Rate / Mile

$18,530

Est. Gross / Month

$12,045

Est. Net / Month

Midwest

Market Region

About Intermodal Trucking

Intermodal drayage involves hauling containers between rail yards, ports, and distribution centers. Short-haul but high-frequency work, concentrated around major rail hubs and port cities.

Statewide Intermodal Overview

Intermodal rates, lanes, and regulations across all of Iowa

Intermodal Earnings in Iowa

Detailed earnings data for intermodal owner-operators in IA

Intermodal Market in the Midwest

The Midwest is the crossroads of American freight, with Chicago serving as the undisputed hub. I-80, I-90, and I-70 carry enormous dry van volume connecting coasts. Automotive parts, consumer goods, and agricultural products make up the bulk of loads. Competition is fierce but volume is massive. Carriers based near Chicago, Indianapolis, or Columbus benefit from exceptional load availability in virtually every direction.

Top Intermodal Lanes from Des Moines

Chicago IL → Detroit MI

Indianapolis IN → Columbus OH

Minneapolis MN → Kansas City MO

St. Louis MO → Nashville TN

Why Des Moines for Intermodal

Key Industries

Insurance and financial services
Agriculture
Food processing
Distribution
Technology

Key Highways

I-80I-35I-235US-65US-69IA-5

Top Shippers

Principal Financial
Meredith Corporation
Barilla
Dee Zee

Distribution Centers Near Des Moines

Amazon DSM5

Hy-Vee distribution center

USPS regional hub

Dollar General DC

Need Intermodal Dispatch in Des Moines?

Compare top dispatch services for intermodal carriers operating in the Des Moines, IA market. Find the right partner for your lanes and equipment.

Compare Dispatch Services

Intermodal Trucking in Des Moines — FAQ

The modelled intermodal rate for Des Moines is $2.18 per loaded mile. This is a regional baseline for the Midwest region adjusted for metro size — it is an estimate, not observed lane data, and real rates vary significantly by lane, broker, season, and load specifics. Check a load board for live rates before pricing a load.

Based on current market estimates, a intermodal owner-operator based in Des Moines can expect approximately $18,530 gross monthly revenue and around $12,045 net after typical expenses (fuel, insurance, maintenance). Actual earnings depend on miles driven, load selection, and operating efficiency.

Top intermodal lanes from the Des Moines market include: Chicago IL → Detroit MI, Indianapolis IN → Columbus OH, Minneapolis MN → Kansas City MO, St. Louis MO → Nashville TN. These lanes reflect the Midwest freight patterns and may vary by season.

Des Moines sits in the Midwest freight region, and its freight base is driven by insurance and financial services, agriculture, food processing. It is served by I-80, I-35, I-235, so reloads are generally easier to find than in markets off the interstate network. Whether it works for intermodal depends on which of those industries actually ship your equipment type — check a load board for live outbound volume.

Key highways for intermodal freight in Des Moines include I-80, I-35, I-235, US-65, US-69, IA-5. These corridors connect to major distribution centers and freight lanes across the Midwest region.