IA · REEF · Oct 2026
Reefer rates in Iowa
What it costs to move a 53' refrigerated out of and into Iowa, with rates for its largest cities and lanes.
$4.73/mi outbound
−0.2% from last month
- Inbound
- $3.53/mi
- vs national
- +13.7%
- 1 year
- +35.9%
- 52-week range
- $3.68–$5.08
Reefer · outbound from Iowa · monthly
Iowa reefer rate history
All-in rateFuel cost per mile
A 53' refrigerated leaving Iowa averaged $4.73 a mile all-in in October 2026, +13.7% against the national $4.16. Loads arriving averaged $3.53. Iowa is a headhaul market: trucks leaving cost more than trucks arriving, because more freight is looking for a ride out than there are trucks delivering in.
State history applies today's Iowa adjustment to the national series back to 2003.
Price a load from Des Moines
From Des Moines
| To | Estimate | Per mile |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $5,835 | $4.83 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $5,824 | $3.42 |
| Chicago, IL | $1,807 | $5.01 |
| Houston, TX | $3,762 | $3.89 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $5,286 | $3.90 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $5,312 | $4.64 |
| San Antonio, TX | $3,980 | $3.83 |
| San Diego, CA | $5,747 | $3.42 |
| Dallas, TX | $3,074 | $4.13 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $6,543 | $5.43 |
Into Des Moines
| From | Estimate | Per mile |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $3,955 | $3.27 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $7,081 | $4.15 |
| Chicago, IL | $2,014 | $5.58 |
| Houston, TX | $3,114 | $3.22 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $3,347 | $2.47 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $3,361 | $2.94 |
| San Antonio, TX | $3,295 | $3.17 |
| San Diego, CA | $6,987 | $4.16 |
| Dallas, TX | $2,545 | $3.42 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $3,000 | $2.49 |
Reefer rates by city in Iowa
- Des Moines213,096
- Cedar Rapids137,904
- Davenport100,938
- Sioux City86,875
- Ankeny76,727
- Iowa City76,710
- West Des Moines73,664
- Ames69,026
- Waterloo67,477
- Council Bluffs62,665
- Dubuque58,987
- Urbandale47,759
- Marion42,542
- Cedar Falls41,417
- Bettendorf40,281
- Waukee34,420
- Marshalltown27,886
- Mason City26,948
- Ottumwa25,648
- Johnston25,022
- Fort Dodge24,886
- Clinton24,118
- Coralville23,959
- Burlington23,637
- Muscatine23,298
- Altoona22,598
- North Liberty21,904
- Clive19,508
- Grimes17,266
- Indianola16,297
- Newton15,709
- Norwalk15,396
- Boone12,461
- Pleasant Hill11,942
- Storm Lake11,627
- Oskaloosa11,575
Other truck types in Iowa
| Truck type | Per mile | 1 mo | 1 yr | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VAN53' dry van | $3.96 | +5.3% | +24.9% | |
| REEF53' refrigerated | $4.73 | −0.2% | +35.9% | |
| FLAT48' flatbed | $4.85 | +3.4% | +18.6% | |
| STEPStep deck | $5.29 | +3.3% | +18.6% | |
| PWRPower only | $3.46 | +5.5% | +24.9% | |
| HOTHotshot | $2.61 | +3.2% | +18.6% | |
| BOX26' box truck | $2.58 | +3.2% | +17.8% | |
| SPRTSprinter van | $1.59 | +3.9% | +17.8% |