LIVE LTL RATES
LA metro$88/palletQuote →|NJ → NYC$153/palletQuote →|LA → SF$190/palletQuote →|LA → LV$200/palletQuote →|LA → SLC$228/palletQuote →|DAL → HOU$244/palletQuote →|CHI → LA$266/palletQuote →|LA → PDX$302/palletQuote →|LA → DEN$303/palletQuote →|LA → SEA$339/palletQuote →|LA → DAL$369/palletQuote →|LA → AUS$378/palletQuote →|LA → HOU$380/palletQuote →|LA → NJ$390/palletQuote →|LA → MIA$405/palletQuote →|LA → NYC$447/palletQuote →|SLC metro$121/palletQuote →|ORL metro$123/palletQuote →|TPA metro$126/palletQuote →|IND metro$133/palletQuote →|HOU metro$134/palletQuote →|ATL metro$135/palletQuote →|MIA metro$137/palletQuote →|PDX metro$141/palletQuote →|CLT metro$150/palletQuote →|NYC → NJ$155/palletQuote →|View all rates →LA metro$88/palletQuote →|NJ → NYC$153/palletQuote →|LA → SF$190/palletQuote →|LA → LV$200/palletQuote →|LA → SLC$228/palletQuote →|DAL → HOU$244/palletQuote →|CHI → LA$266/palletQuote →|LA → PDX$302/palletQuote →|LA → DEN$303/palletQuote →|LA → SEA$339/palletQuote →|LA → DAL$369/palletQuote →|LA → AUS$378/palletQuote →|LA → HOU$380/palletQuote →|LA → NJ$390/palletQuote →|LA → MIA$405/palletQuote →|LA → NYC$447/palletQuote →|SLC metro$121/palletQuote →|ORL metro$123/palletQuote →|TPA metro$126/palletQuote →|IND metro$133/palletQuote →|HOU metro$134/palletQuote →|ATL metro$135/palletQuote →|MIA metro$137/palletQuote →|PDX metro$141/palletQuote →|CLT metro$150/palletQuote →|NYC → NJ$155/palletQuote →|
LTL Carrier Rankings

LTL Carriers in Des Moines: Ranked by Per-Pallet Cost

Warp ranks 12 LTL carriers by per-pallet cost on 49 lanes from Des Moines. The Warp all-inclusive rate is $346/pallet with no fuel surcharges. Traditional carriers add 20–40% on top. Click any column to re-sort.

12 carriers ranked · 49 lanes from Des Moines · All-inclusive pricing · No sponsored placements

Live all-inclusive rates

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$346Warp per-pallet rate (all-in)
12Carriers from Des Moines
49Lanes from Des Moines
$0Surcharges on Warp rates

LTL Carrier Rankings in Des Moines by Per-Pallet Cost

Estimated per-pallet cost for 49 lanes from Des Moines. Warp rates are all-inclusive. Traditional carrier per-pallet cost includes an estimated 30% for fuel surcharges and accessorials. Based on 1 pallet, 500 lbs, class 70.

#CarrierCheapest On ↓head-to-head winsLanes ServedAvg Transit
1XPOCNWY30(20%)1472.2 days
2Warp TechnologyWTCHALL-INCLUSIVE26(53%)494.4 days
3R&L CarriersRLCA22(23%)962.7 days
4FedEx EconomyFXNL2(2%)973.7 days
5Forward AirFWRA2(2%)982.6 days
6FedEx PriorityFXFE0(0%)982.1 days
7ABF FreightABFS0(0%)983.2 days
8SAIA MOTOR FREIGHT LINE LLCSAIA0(0%)972.6 days
9ESTESEXLA0(0%)982.8 days
10AAA COOPER TRANSPORTATIONAACT0(0%)14 days
11Old Dominion Freight LineODFL0(0%)492.3 days
12DAYLIGHT TRANSPORTDYLT0(0%)82.8 days

All LTL Lanes from Des Moines

Select your lanes to filter the carrier rankings above. Click a destination for the full carrier comparison.

SelectDestinationWarp Rate ↑all-inclusiveLowest Basebefore surchargesCarriers
Kansas City$268$263 R&L Carriers19
St. Louis$268$264 Forward19
Milwaukee$272$269 FEDEX FREIGHT ECONOMY19
LouisvilleWARP WINS$285$285 Warp Technology19
Minneapolis$285$283 XPO Logistics19
ChicagoWARP WINS$291$291 Warp Technology19
Los AngelesWARP WINS$295$295 Warp Technology22
DetroitWARP WINS$297$297 Warp Technology19
Indianapolis$297$267 R&L Carriers19
Cincinnati$300$269 RL Carriers19
Columbus$307$251 XPO Logistics19
Dayton$312$245 RL Carriers18
NewarkWARP WINS$317$317 Warp Technology19
Knoxville$322$307 XPO19
GreenvilleWARP WINS$322$322 Warp Technology19
Memphis$322$309 XPO19
HuntsvilleWARP WINS$322$322 Warp Technology19
San AntonioWARP WINS$327$327 Warp Technology19
Chattanooga$329$300 XPO Logistics19
OrlandoWARP WINS$330$330 Warp Technology19
TampaWARP WINS$331$331 Warp Technology19
PhoenixWARP WINS$333$333 Warp Technology19
HartfordWARP WINS$333$333 Warp Technology19
WashingtonWARP WINS$334$334 Warp Technology17
Houston$335$332 XPO Logistics19
BaltimoreWARP WINS$335$335 Warp Technology19
AtlantaWARP WINS$336$336 Warp Technology19
PhiladelphiaWARP WINS$336$336 Warp Technology19
CharlotteWARP WINS$336$336 Warp Technology19
Dallas$340$260 RL Carriers19
Nashville$340$307 XPO19
Las VegasWARP WINS$341$341 Warp Technology19
DenverWARP WINS$343$343 Warp Technology19
Cleveland$346$281 RL Carriers19
RaleighWARP WINS$353$353 Warp Technology19
Austin$354$314 RL Carriers19
Birmingham$360$355 XPO19
BostonWARP WINS$370$370 Warp Technology19
San FranciscoWARP WINS$371$371 Warp Technology20
Laredo$388$241 RL Carriers19
San DiegoWARP WINS$399$399 Warp Technology21
El Paso$401$398 RL Carriers19
MiamiWARP WINS$406$406 Warp Technology19
Charleston$409$386 XPO Logistics19
AlbuquerqueWARP WINS$426$426 Warp Technology19
SacramentoWARP WINS$433$433 Warp Technology21
New Orleans$455$252 R&L Carriers19
Jackson$482$356 XPO Logistics19
Harrisburg$581$363 RL Carriers19

Who ships LTL from Des Moines — and what it actually costs

12 carriers serve LTL lanes originating from Des Moines, covering 49 destinations including Kansas City, St. Louis, Milwaukee, and 46 more.

The cheapest Warp lane from Des Moines is to Kansas City at $268 per pallet. The longest lane to Harrisburg runs $581.

Warp is the cheapest carrier by base rate on 26 of 49 lanes — and on every lane when you add the 30% surcharge factor that traditional carriers tack onto their invoices.

XPO vs Warp on Des Moines freight

XPO (CNWY) serves 147 lanes from Des Moines at an average base rate of $460. That base rate does not include fuel surcharges or accessorial fees.

Add the industry-standard 30% surcharge estimate and XPO's effective per-pallet cost rises to $598/pallet on a 4-pallet, 4,800 lb, class 70 shipment.

Warp quotes $346/pallet all-inclusive — pickup, cross-dock handling, line haul, and delivery included. No fuel surcharge line item, no liftgate fee, no limited access charge.

FedEx Economy tells a similar story: $463 base becomes $602/pallet after surcharges, serving 97 lanes.

Where Des Moines shippers save the most with Warp

Warp is the cheapest all-inclusive option on 26 of 49 lanes from Des Moines. The top savings lanes: Kansas City ($268), St. Louis ($268), Milwaukee ($272), Louisville ($285), Minneapolis ($285).

On these corridors, Warp's all-inclusive price undercuts what traditional carriers invoice after surcharges.

Average Warp transit from Des Moines is 4 days across all 49 lanes, with scan events and live GPS on every shipment.

How Warp moves LTL from Des Moines without a terminal network

Warp operates a cross-dock network, not a terminal network. Freight from Des Moines touches 1 to 2 Warp-operated facilities between origin and destination.

XPO routes the same shipment through 3 to 5 terminals. Each extra touch adds dock labor, forklift handling, and damage exposure. Warp's claim rate is 0.81% vs the 1.24% industry average.

Fewer touches also mean lower labor costs — which is how Warp absorbs fuel surcharges and accessorials into one all-inclusive rate.

National vs regional LTL carriers from Des Moines

National carriers serving Des Moines: XPO (147 lanes, $598/pallet after surcharges); FedEx Economy (97 lanes, $602/pallet after surcharges); FedEx Priority (98 lanes, $631/pallet after surcharges); ABF Freight (98 lanes, $706/pallet after surcharges); SAIA MOTOR FREIGHT LINE LLC (97 lanes, $792/pallet after surcharges); ESTES (98 lanes, $794/pallet after surcharges); Old Dominion Freight Line (49 lanes, $998/pallet after surcharges).

These cover the most destinations but add 20–40% in surcharges to every invoice.

Regional specialists like AAA COOPER TRANSPORTATION cover 1 lane respectively — lower base rates on specific corridors, but limited coverage. Warp covers all 49 lanes with one all-inclusive rate.

No need to split freight across carriers to get the best price on each corridor.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the cheapest LTL carrier in Des Moines?

By all-inclusive per-pallet cost, Warp at $346/pallet is the most predictable option from Des Moines.

XPO quotes a lower base rate ($460) but adds fuel surcharges and accessorials that push the per-pallet cost to $598. Warp is cheapest on 26 of 49 lanes when surcharges are included.

What are the cheapest LTL lanes from Des Moines?

The lowest Warp all-inclusive rates from Des Moines: Kansas City at $268, St. Louis at $268, Milwaukee at $272, Louisville at $285, Minneapolis at $285.

These are per-pallet rates (1 pallet, 500 lbs, class 70) covering pickup, cross-dock handling, line haul, and delivery.

How many LTL carriers serve Des Moines?

12 carriers serve 49 lanes from Des Moines.

This includes 7 national carriers (XPO, FedEx Economy, FedEx Priority, ABF Freight, SAIA MOTOR FREIGHT LINE LLC, ESTES, Old Dominion Freight Line) and 1 regional specialists.

How does Warp compare to XPO from Des Moines?

XPO serves 147 lanes from Des Moines at $460 average base rate. After estimated 30% surcharges, the per-pallet cost is $598. Warp serves all 49 lanes at $346/pallet all-inclusive.

Warp also provides live GPS, scan events, and proof of delivery — included in the rate.

How fast is LTL freight from Des Moines?

Average Warp transit from Des Moines is 4 days across 49 lanes. Every shipment gets live GPS tracking and scan events through the Warp driver app.

For time-critical freight, check individual lane transit times in the table above.

About the Warp freight network

More about the Warp freight network
70+cross-dock facilities
6,800+Warp LTL lanes
14,000+vans & box trucks
24,000+vetted FTL carriers

Warp is the open source freight network: the tech is free and the network is open. We run Warp LTL, our own carrier, Warp FTL, cargo van, box truck and fulfillment ourselves, with every major LTL carrier, parcel, ocean, air and drayage plugged in beside them. Our driver app rides on every truck and our warehouse app runs every cross-dock, so an open network of 38,000+ carriers behaves like one carrier you control. Warp is licensed by the FMCSA as a property broker and freight forwarder, and runs the network itself: instant rates, live tracking, 70+ cross-dock facilities, 14,000+ cargo vans and box trucks, 80%+ US LTL zip-to-zip coverage and nationwide FTL, box truck and cargo van.

The network is supported by 24,000+ vetted FTL carriers.

Unlike traditional brokers, Warp uses AI to match the right vehicle to every load based on weight, dimensions, urgency, and cost targets. Cross-dock operations reduce transit time by eliminating unnecessary terminal transfers.

Pool distribution and zone-skipping programs help enterprise shippers lower per-unit delivery costs while maintaining tight appointment windows.

Self-serve shippers can quote, compare, and book freight online in under two minutes. Enterprise accounts get dedicated capacity planning, committed rate programs, and a named operations team. Every shipment includes scan-level visibility from pickup through final delivery.

Warp operates across the contiguous United States with regional density in the Southeast, Texas, Midwest, and Northeast corridors, and West Coast and Southwest coverage from Los Angeles, Seattle and Phoenix.

Warp operates 70+ cross-dock facilities across the US, with named markets including Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, New York, Savannah, Orlando, Charlotte, Indianapolis, Columbus, Denver, New Orleans, Milwaukee, Dallas-Fort Worth, Nashville, Phoenix, Tampa Bay, Seattle, Los Angeles. They support faster transfers and fewer touches on recurring lanes.

Freight modes and vehicle types

ModeMax payloadMax cubeBest for
Cargo van3,500 lbs400 cu ftTime-sensitive, last-mile, light pallets
Box truck10,000 lbs1,500 cu ftRegional distribution, no dock required
LTLPer-palletShared trailerLower per-pallet cost via cross-dock routing
Dry van / FTL42,000+ lbsFull 53-ft trailerHigh-volume lanes, recurring programs

Cargo vans handle loads up to 3,500 pounds and 400 cubic feet, ideal for time-sensitive deliveries, last-mile retail replenishment, and lightweight palletized freight.

Box trucks carry up to 10,000 pounds and 1,500 cubic feet, fitting most regional distribution and store delivery needs without requiring a loading dock.

Dry vans and full truckloads move 42,000+ pounds for high-volume lanes and recurring programs. LTL shipments share trailer space on optimized routes through Warp cross-docks, reducing per-pallet cost by consolidating multiple shippers on the same vehicle.

Warp does not default every shipment to a 53-foot trailer. The AI engine evaluates load weight, cube, delivery window, and cost to recommend the right vehicle. Shippers see all available mode options with live pricing in one comparison screen before booking.

Cross-dock operations

Cross-docking at Warp facilities keeps freight moving instead of storing it: inbound freight is sorted and transferred directly to outbound vehicles, typically within hours. When inventory does need to sit, Warp's fulfillment centers in Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago and New Jersey hold it inside the same network, with same day delivery within 30 miles of each.

This reduces dwell time, lowers damage risk, and compresses delivery windows. Warp cross-docks support pallet-in, pallet-out operations with scan-level tracking at every handoff point.

  • Atlanta — Southeast retail flow
  • Chicago — Midwest manufacturing and replenishment
  • Houston — Texas industrial distribution
  • New York — dense Northeast delivery

Facility locations are selected for corridor density: Atlanta handles Southeast retail flow, Chicago serves Midwest manufacturing and replenishment, Houston covers Texas industrial distribution, and New York supports dense Northeast delivery. Each facility operates on appointment-based scheduling to prevent congestion and maintain throughput consistency.

Enterprise freight programs

Enterprise shippers get committed rate programs, dedicated account management, and custom SLA design. Warp builds lane-by-lane rate structures that account for volume commitments, seasonal variation, and mode flexibility. Operations teams monitor shipment execution daily and intervene proactively when exceptions occur.

Self-serve freight quoting

Shippers enter origin and destination, load details, and delivery requirements to see live rates across all available modes. Quotes include estimated transit time, vehicle type, and total cost.

Booking takes one click. After booking, shippers track every shipment with real-time GPS location, milestone updates, and proof of delivery documentation.

Industries and use cases

Retail shippers use Warp for store replenishment programs that deliver to hundreds of locations per week on tight appointment windows. Apparel brands use zone skipping to bypass regional parcel sortation and reduce per-unit delivery cost.

Food and beverage companies rely on time-definite delivery for perishable goods. Manufacturing operations use Warp for inbound vendor consolidation, combining multiple supplier shipments into fewer, fuller loads through cross-dock facilities.

Distribution companies use pool distribution to serve multiple delivery points from a single origin, splitting full truckloads at cross-docks into smaller last-mile vehicles.

Urgent freight recovery covers emergency capacity needs when primary carriers fail or demand spikes unexpectedly. Middle-mile optimization reduces cost and transit time on the longest segment of multi-leg shipments.

Compare LTL carriers from Des Moines.

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12 carriers ranked · 49 lanes from Des Moines · All-inclusive pricing · No sponsored placements

Performance figures are computed from Warp network data. See our methodology.

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