Truck dispatch in Des Moines, IA
Loads in and out of Des Moines where I-80 meets I-35, for dry vans, reefers, flatbeds and box trucks. We find and negotiate them, and you approve every one.
First load free · then a % of each load · no contractAt a glance
- 460 active interstate trucking companies list a Des Moines address with FMCSA, and 344 of them haul for hire
- I-35/80 on the north side of the city carries about 20,400 trucks a day, about one vehicle in five
- Hy-Vee and Casey's, each with more than 10,000 workers, are headquartered in the metro
- Fall harvest runs from late September into November, so ag freight and grain traffic pick up then
Des Moines road weather right now
Live from the National Weather Service · weather.gov · Road closures and crashes: 511 Iowa
Freight in Des Moines
The Greater Des Moines Partnership's 2026 major employer list puts Hy-Vee (West Des Moines) and Casey's General Stores (Ankeny) in its top group, with more than 10,000 workers each and headquarters in the metro. Amazon runs fulfillment centers in Bondurant, Ankeny and Grimes. Bridgestone makes agricultural tires in Des Moines, Titan International makes farm and off-road tires there, and John Deere's Des Moines Works and other Deere units in Ankeny, Johnston and Urbandale make farm machinery and ag technology. Corteva Agriscience in Johnston, Pine Ridge Farms (meat packing), Kemin Industries (ingredients), Anderson-Erickson Dairy and Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling round out a mix of grocery, retail, farm equipment and food freight.
Iowa DOT's 2022 freight plan says the state's heaviest truck traffic runs on three stretches, and I-35/80 through the Des Moines metro is one of them. It also says more than 99% of Iowa's reported air cargo tonnage moves through Des Moines International and the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids. The plan lists cold storage and distribution warehouses across the metro, in Des Moines, Altoona, Ankeny and Urbandale, so reefers and dry vans both find freight here.
Major shippers and freight hubs
| Company | What's there |
|---|---|
| Hy-Vee | Midwest grocery chain headquartered in West Des Moines, 10,000+ workers Source |
| Casey's General Stores | Convenience store chain headquartered in Ankeny, 10,000+ workers Source |
| Amazon | Fulfillment centers in Bondurant, Ankeny and Grimes, 1,000–4,999 workers Source |
| Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations | Agricultural tire plant in Des Moines, 1,000–4,999 workers Source |
| John Deere Des Moines Works | Farm machinery and ag technology in Ankeny, Johnston and Urbandale, 1,000–4,999 workers Source |
| Corteva Agriscience | Agriculture company in Johnston, 1,000–4,999 workers Source |
| Titan International | Agricultural and off-road tire maker in Des Moines, 500–999 workers Source |
| Pine Ridge Farms | Meat packing in Des Moines, 500–999 workers Source |
| Kemin Industries | Ingredient manufacturer headquartered in Des Moines, 500–999 workers Source |
| Anderson-Erickson Dairy | Dairy products, headquartered in Des Moines, 300–499 workers Source |
Listed for context from official sources. Fleetorica isn't affiliated with these companies, and we don't claim them as customers. Worker ranges are from the Greater Des Moines Partnership's February 2026 list.
Main routes and truck traffic
The highways most loads in and out of Des Moines run on: I-80, I-35, I-235, I-35/80, US 65, US 69, Iowa 5, Iowa 163, US 6.
I-80 runs east to Iowa City, the Quad Cities and Chicago and west to Council Bluffs and Omaha. I-35 runs north to Ames and Minneapolis and south to Kansas City. North and west of the city the two share a road as I-35/80, and I-235 cuts straight through downtown. US 65 and Iowa 5 loop the east and south sides, and Iowa 163 heads southeast toward Pella and Oskaloosa.
Iowa DOT's 2025 counts show about 20,400 trucks a day on I-35/80 at the Iowa 415 (NW 2nd Avenue) interchange, both directions, about 21% of all traffic. The state freight plan lists the Iowa 28 (Merle Hay Road) and Iowa 415 (NW 2nd Avenue) interchanges on I-35/80 among Iowa's highway freight bottlenecks, along with NE 70th Street at Iowa 163 in Altoona.
Lane planner: what a load out of Des Moines really pays
Pick a lane, type the broker's offer, and see your miles, driving time, fuel and what's left after dispatch.
Miles are estimates (straight-line distance × 1.13). Check your truck GPS before you accept a load. Driving days assume the 11-hour driving limit.
Who hauls out of Des Moines
A little over half of the for-hire carriers based in Des Moines run a single truck or less. That's who we work for: owner-operators and small fleets who want a dispatcher handling the load boards, broker calls and paperwork. The truck count above also includes private, rental and construction fleets.
| FMCSA records | Des Moines, IA |
|---|---|
| Active interstate trucking companies based here | 460 |
| Of those, for-hire carriers | 344 |
| For-hire carriers with one truck or fewer | 186 (54%) |
| For-hire carriers with 2–5 trucks | 88 |
| For-hire carriers registered in the last 12 months | 71 |
| Trucks (power units) they report | 9,646 |
Largest for-hire carriers based in Des Moines
| Company | Trucks | Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| ANNETT HOLDINGS INC | 3,883 | 3,469 |
| STANDARD FORWARDING LLC | 302 | 277 |
| SOLE TRANSPORT LC | 293 | 265 |
| BARTON SOLVENTS INC | 232 | 77 |
| HYDRO-KLEAN LLC | 231 | 103 |
| NIECE TRUCKING INC | 194 | 202 |
| ANDERSON ERICKSON DAIRY COMPANY | 164 | 195 |
| NATIONWIDE TRUCK BROKERS INC | 158 | 165 |
| GOTCHA TRANSPORT LLC | 121 | 150 |
| 365 LOGISTICS LLC | 104 | 104 |
By trucks reported to FMCSA, from the Company Census File for companies with a physical address in Des Moines, IA, as of October 10, 2026. Listed for reference only; Fleetorica isn't affiliated with these companies. Check any carrier or broker with our carrier and broker lookup.
Truck parking and weigh stations
| Rest area | Where | Truck spaces |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchellville rest areas | I-80 east of Des Moines, both directions | 24 eastbound · 22 westbound |
| Elkhart rest areas | I-35 north of Ankeny, both directions | 22 northbound · 22 southbound |
| Adair rest areas | I-80 west of Des Moines, both directions | 12 eastbound · 27 westbound |
| Dallas weigh station | I-80 eastbound, west of Des Moines | 13 |
| Jasper weigh station | I-80 westbound, east of Des Moines | 11 |
| Story City rest areas | I-35 north of Ames, both directions | 16 northbound · 15 southbound |
Truck space counts are from Iowa DOT's 2026 Truck Parking Study (May 2026). Iowa has 902 public truck spaces at 37 full-service rest areas, 13 parking-only sites and 9 weigh stations, including 373 on I-80 and 270 on I-35. Source
The same study says there is about one public truck spot for every eight private truck stop spots in Iowa, so public spots are only about 11% of the state's truck parking, below the national share of about 20%. Its priority list for new parking ranks the Adair eastbound rest area 11th in the state. Source
Iowa DOT's freight plan says the state shows real-time truck parking availability at rest areas through the regional Truck Parking Information and Management System (TPIMS). Source
Weigh stations
Iowa DOT's 2026 truck parking study lists nine weigh stations on Iowa's interstates. The closest to Des Moines are the Dallas station on I-80 eastbound (west of the city), the Jasper station on I-80 westbound (east of the city) and the Clarke station on I-35 northbound (south of the city). Source
Iowa DOT sells a $500 annual permit for loads up to 12.5% over legal weight, such as 90,000 lb on 5 axles, but it isn't valid on interstates. Source
Freight calendar for Des Moines and Iowa
When freight picks up in and around Des Moines. Bars show the months; each line links its official source.
What we book, by truck type
Dry van
Grocery, convenience store and e-commerce distribution keep dry vans busy all year. We look for reloads close to Des Moines so you're not deadheading out to Omaha or Kansas City.
Reefer
Meat packing, dairy, beverage plants and cold storage warehouses ship refrigerated freight all year. We confirm the temperature and the appointment before we book.
Flatbed
Farm machinery from John Deere, ag and off-road tires, and building materials make this a steady flatbed market. We check securement, tarps and permits before we book.
Power only
Distribution centers and fulfillment centers around the metro put preloaded trailers on the market. We confirm the trailer, the pickup number and the gate rules before you go.
Box truck
Grocery, retail and parcel distribution across the metro means steady box truck work, including final-mile deliveries.
How we dispatch here
- Iowa DOT's 2026 study found public truck parking short across the state, and public spots are only about 11% of Iowa's truck parking, so we lock in your overnight stop before you roll
- We avoid tight appointments that run you through the Merle Hay Road and NW 2nd Avenue interchanges on I-35/80 at rush hour
- During fall harvest we plan around farm traffic on the rural roads and look for ag and machinery loads that pay
- Iowa's $500 annual overweight permit (up to 90,000 lb on 5 axles) doesn't cover interstates, so we check the route before we take a heavy load
- Interstate carriers need nothing extra from Iowa. For-hire loads that stay inside Iowa need an Iowa DOT motor carrier permit, and Iowa requires a USDOT number even for in-state carriers
State rules, permits and taxes are on our Iowa dispatch page.
Pricing
a percentage of the load's gross, quoted for your truck and lanes, charged only on loads we book. No contract, and your first load is free.
- FMCSA Company Census File (data.transportation.gov)
- Greater Des Moines Partnership: Major Employer List (February 2026)
- Iowa DOT: State Freight Plan (2022)
- Iowa DOT: traffic information (truck counts, map service)
- Iowa DOT: 2026 Truck Parking Study
- Iowa DOT: oversize and overweight permits
- Iowa Administrative Code 761-524: motor carrier permits
- FMCSA: do I need a USDOT number?
- Iowa State Fair
- 511 Iowa traveler information
- USDA NASS: usual planting and harvesting dates
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with FMCSA, the IRS or your state before you file.
Questions carriers ask
Are there dry van loads out of Des Moines?
Yes. Hy-Vee and Casey's are headquartered in the metro, Amazon runs three fulfillment centers there, and the freight plan lists warehouses and cold storage across the area. We search the major load boards and our broker contacts for loads that fit your lanes and minimum rate.
How many trucking companies are based in Des Moines?
FMCSA's company census lists 460 active interstate trucking companies with a Des Moines address as of October 2026. 344 of them haul for hire, and a little over half of those run one truck or less.
Where can I park a truck overnight near Des Moines?
Iowa DOT's 2026 study lists the Mitchellville rest areas on I-80 east of the city (24 spaces eastbound, 22 westbound), the Elkhart rest areas on I-35 north of Ankeny (22 each way), the Adair rest areas on I-80 to the west (12 eastbound, 27 westbound) and the Dallas eastbound weigh station on I-80 (13). Public spots are only about 11% of Iowa's truck parking, so we plan your stop early.
Are there weigh stations near Des Moines?
Iowa DOT's 2026 truck parking study lists nine weigh stations statewide. The closest to Des Moines are the Dallas eastbound station and the Jasper westbound station on I-80, and the Clarke northbound station on I-35.
What's the busiest truck route around Des Moines?
I-35/80 on the north side of the metro. Iowa DOT counted about 20,400 trucks a day at the NW 2nd Avenue (Iowa 415) interchange in 2025, about 21% of all traffic.
Can I haul 90,000 lb around Des Moines?
Only off the interstates. Iowa DOT's $500 annual permit allows up to 90,000 lb on 5 axles, but it isn't valid on I-80, I-35 or I-235, and some city and county roads are excluded.
What freight is seasonal around Des Moines?
Iowa corn is planted mostly from late April to mid-May and harvested from early October to early November. Soybeans come off from late September to late October. The Iowa State Fair runs August 12 to 22, 2027.
Do I need Iowa operating authority?
Not for interstate freight. If a for-hire load's pickup and delivery are both in Iowa, you need an Iowa DOT motor carrier permit, and Iowa requires a USDOT number even for in-state carriers.