Lane · REEF · Oct 2026

West Des Moines, IA to Chicago, IL reefer rate

$1,839reefer

−0.2% from last month

Per mile: $4.94
Distance: 372 mi
Typical range: $1,600–$2,078
Transit: 1 day

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Reefer · estimated all-in cost per load · monthly

West Des Moines to Chicago price history

3 months: +1.7%
1 year: +36.1%
5 years: +3.6%

Cost breakdown

Linehaul: $1,458
Fuel: $381
All-in estimate: $1,839

Return trip

Chicago → West Des Moines$2,050

This direction runs 10% below the return trip. Leaving IA prices above the national average and arriving in IL prices below it.

West Des Moines to Chicago by truck type

Estimated cost from West Des Moines, IA to Chicago, IL by truck type
Truck type	Estimate	Per mile	Typical range
53' dry van	$1,540	$4.14	$1,371 – $1,710
53' refrigerated	$1,839	$4.94	$1,600 – $2,078
48' flatbed	$1,924	$5.17	$1,655 – $2,194
Step deck	$2,110	$5.67	$1,772 – $2,447
Power only	$1,324	$3.56	$1,152 – $1,496
Hotshot	$997	$2.68	$828 – $1,167
26' box truck	$992	$2.67	$843 – $1,140
Sprinter van	$616	$1.66	$518 – $715

Live market check

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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 West Des Moines

53' refrigerated lanes from West Des Moines, IA
To	Miles	Estimate	Per mile	Typical range	Transit
New York, NY	1,218 mi	$5,875	$4.82	$5,111 – $6,638	3 d
Los Angeles, CA	1,694 mi	$5,791	$3.42	$5,038 – $6,544	4 d
Houston, TX	965 mi	$3,753	$3.89	$3,265 – $4,241	2 d
Phoenix, AZ	1,346 mi	$5,250	$3.90	$4,567 – $5,932	3 d
Philadelphia, PA	1,156 mi	$5,354	$4.63	$4,658 – $6,050	3 d
San Antonio, TX	1,034 mi	$3,964	$3.83	$3,449 – $4,480	2 d
San Diego, CA	1,669 mi	$5,717	$3.43	$4,974 – $6,460	4 d
Dallas, TX	740 mi	$3,062	$4.14	$2,664 – $3,460	2 d

More lanes into Chicago

53' refrigerated lanes into Chicago, IL
From	Miles	Estimate	Per mile	Typical range	Transit
New York, NY	847 mi	$2,918	$3.44	$2,538 – $3,297	2 d
Los Angeles, CA	2,063 mi	$8,194	$3.97	$7,129 – $9,260	4 d
Houston, TX	1,106 mi	$3,391	$3.07	$2,950 – $3,832	3 d
Phoenix, AZ	1,705 mi	$3,983	$2.34	$3,465 – $4,500	4 d
Philadelphia, PA	787 mi	$2,450	$3.11	$2,132 – $2,769	2 d
San Antonio, TX	1,236 mi	$3,715	$3.01	$3,232 – $4,197	3 d
San Diego, CA	2,034 mi	$8,092	$3.98	$7,040 – $9,144	4 d
Dallas, TX	942 mi	$2,983	$3.17	$2,595 – $3,371	2 d

About this lane

How much does it cost to ship a truckload from West Des Moines, IA to Chicago, IL?

A 53' refrigerated from West Des Moines, IA to Chicago, IL is estimated at $1,839 all-in in October 2026, or $4.94 a mile over about 372 mi. Quotes typically land between $1,600 and $2,078.

How far is West Des Moines, IA from Chicago, IL by truck?

About 372 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 $381 of the $1,839 estimate is fuel at the current national diesel price; the remaining $1,458 is linehaul.

Is it cheaper to ship from Chicago, IL to West Des Moines, IA?

The reverse direction is estimated at $2,050, which makes West Des Moines, IA to Chicago, IL 10% cheaper. 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 →