Lane · VAN · Oct 2026

Indianapolis, IN to Des Moines, IA freight rate

$1,948dry van

+5.5% from last month

Per mile: $4.02
Distance: 484 mi
Typical range: $1,734–$2,162
Transit: 1 day

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Dry van · estimated all-in cost per load · monthly

Indianapolis to Des Moines price history

3 months: +13.9%
1 year: +24.9%
5 years: +32.7%

Cost breakdown

Linehaul: $1,503
Fuel: $445
All-in estimate: $1,948

Return trip

Des Moines → Indianapolis$1,890

This direction runs 3% above the return trip. Leaving IN prices above the national average and arriving in IA prices below it.

Indianapolis to Des Moines by truck type

Estimated cost from Indianapolis, IN to Des Moines, IA by truck type
Truck type	Estimate	Per mile	Typical range
53' dry van	$1,948	$4.02	$1,734 – $2,162
53' refrigerated	$2,325	$4.80	$2,022 – $2,627
48' flatbed	$2,413	$4.99	$2,075 – $2,751
Step deck	$2,641	$5.46	$2,219 – $3,064
Power only	$1,686	$3.48	$1,467 – $1,905
Hotshot	$1,271	$2.63	$1,055 – $1,487
26' box truck	$1,259	$2.60	$1,070 – $1,447
Sprinter van	$779	$1.61	$654 – $904

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The index is an estimate. For a price you can act on, ask connected freight providers for a live 53' dry van rate, or send the load details and get quoted for any truck type.

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More lanes from Indianapolis

53' dry van lanes from Indianapolis, IN
To	Miles	Estimate	Per mile	Typical range	Transit
New York, NY	763 mi	$3,578	$4.69	$3,185 – $3,972	2 d
Los Angeles, CA	2,143 mi	$6,281	$2.93	$5,590 – $6,972	5 d
Chicago, IL	193 mi	$1,156	$5.99	$1,029 – $1,283	1 d
Houston, TX	1,022 mi	$3,460	$3.39	$3,080 – $3,841	2 d
Phoenix, AZ	1,763 mi	$5,831	$3.31	$5,190 – $6,473	4 d
Philadelphia, PA	689 mi	$3,157	$4.58	$2,809 – $3,504	2 d
San Antonio, TX	1,180 mi	$3,888	$3.30	$3,461 – $4,316	3 d
San Diego, CA	2,102 mi	$6,174	$2.94	$5,494 – $6,853	5 d

More lanes into Des Moines

53' dry van lanes into Des Moines, IA
From	Miles	Estimate	Per mile	Typical range	Transit
New York, NY	1,208 mi	$3,319	$2.75	$2,954 – $3,684	3 d
Los Angeles, CA	1,705 mi	$5,944	$3.49	$5,290 – $6,597	4 d
Chicago, IL	361 mi	$1,686	$4.67	$1,501 – $1,872	1 d
Houston, TX	968 mi	$2,612	$2.70	$2,325 – $2,900	2 d
Phoenix, AZ	1,357 mi	$2,809	$2.07	$2,500 – $3,118	3 d
Philadelphia, PA	1,145 mi	$2,820	$2.46	$2,510 – $3,130	3 d
San Antonio, TX	1,039 mi	$2,764	$2.66	$2,460 – $3,068	2 d
San Diego, CA	1,679 mi	$5,865	$3.49	$5,220 – $6,510	4 d

About this lane

How much does it cost to ship a truckload from Indianapolis, IN to Des Moines, IA?

A 53' dry van from Indianapolis, IN to Des Moines, IA is estimated at $1,948 all-in in October 2026, or $4.02 a mile over about 484 mi. Quotes typically land between $1,734 and $2,162.

How far is Indianapolis, IN from Des Moines, IA by truck?

About 484 mi by road, estimated from the straight-line distance. A solo driver covers it in roughly 1 day of transit.

How much of the price is fuel?

About $445 of the $1,948 estimate is fuel at the current national diesel price; the remaining $1,503 is linehaul.

Is it cheaper to ship from Des Moines, IA to Indianapolis, IN?

The reverse direction is estimated at $1,890, which makes Indianapolis, IN to Des Moines, IA 3% more expensive. Direction matters because trucks are scarcer leaving some markets than others.

Figures are estimates for a standard full load. Get a firm quote for this lane →