Des Moines to Denver Truck Dispatch
Freight route connecting Des Moines, IA to Denver, CO (665 miles). Denver's Mountain West distribution hub connects via I-80.
What do truck dispatch rates run from Des Moines to Denver?
Des Moines to Denver is a 665-mile lane paying about $1,530 - $1,796 per load, near $2.30 - $2.70 a mile. Freight is mostly consumer goods, ski-resort resupply freight and air-cargo-connected freight.
- Distance
- 665 miles
- Avg. rate / load
- $1,529 - $1,796
- Rate per mile
- $2.30 - $2.70
- Transit time
- 1-2 days
- Deadhead risk
- 25-30%
Lane rates reviewed September 2026. These numbers follow 2026 spot-market pricing and rise during winter ski season. See our dispatch fee structure.
Des Moines to Denver
Des Moines to Denver is a 665-mile, roughly 10-hour run west on I-80 and I-76, connecting Iowa's capital to Colorado's high-plains distribution center. Denver International Airport's growing air-cargo operations and the metro's role as a Rocky Mountain regional distribution point keep steady westbound demand on this corridor.
Origin
Des Moines, IA
Destination
Denver, CO
Distance
665 miles
Transit Time
1-2 days
Average Rate
$1,529 - $1,796
Rate per Mile
$2.30 - $2.70
665-mile lane, about 10 hours on I-80 and I-76
Denver International Airport anchors growing air-cargo operations
Des Moines sits at the crossroads of I-80 and I-35
Des Moines to Denver: route facts a driver should know
Colorado requires chains on I-70's mountain corridor from September through May
Colorado law requires chains or approved traction devices on I-70 between Morrison and Dotsero from September 1 through May 31, with Colorado State Patrol enforcing it heavily from October through April.
Source: Colorado Department of Transportation, truck safety campaign. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
Union Pacific just opened a 620-acre rail park east of Denver
Denver hosts intermodal rail yards for both BNSF and Union Pacific, and in 2025 Union Pacific opened its 620-acre Rocky Mountain Rail Park east of the city, with building-products supplier BuildersFirstSource as its first tenant.
Source: Progressive Railroading, Union Pacific Colorado rail park. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
Diesel for this lane
How much is the diesel for Des Moines to Denver?
About $653.44 this week. The lane is 665 miles. A truck that gets 6.5 miles per gallon uses about 102 gallons, and diesel is averaging $6.39 a gallon on this lane (week of October 19, 2026). The U.S. average diesel price is up 10 cents this week.
An estimate. It uses EIA's weekly average for the two regions this lane connects, not the price at each pump. Your mpg and fuel card discounts change it.
- Distance
- 665 mi
- Diesel needed
- 102 gal
- Price used
- $6.39/gal
- Fuel cost
- $653.44
Common Freight Types
Consumer goods, ski-resort resupply freight and air-cargo-connected freight fill the trailers heading west.
- Retail Distribution
- Energy Equipment
- Consumer Goods
What makes the Des Moines to Denver lane difficult?
A cross-region run this long requires careful hours-of-service planning
A cross-region run this long requires careful hours-of-service planning.
Winter weather in Colorado, especially along the mountain approaches, can affect delivery schedules
Winter weather in Colorado, especially along the mountain approaches, can affect delivery schedules.
High-plains stretches can see limited services
Understanding and preparing for this challenge helps optimize your operations and maximize profitability on this lane.
What freight moves on the Des Moines to Denver lane?
What travels between Des Moines and Denver, and why Denver's air-cargo role matters here.
Primary Commodities
- •Retail Distribution
- •Energy Equipment
- •Consumer Goods
Secondary Commodities
- •Air-cargo-connected freight (Denver International)
- •Consumer goods
- •Ski/tourism-season resupply freight
Seasonal Cargo
Peak seasons for this lane:
- •Consumer goods (holiday surge)
- •Ski-resort resupply freight (winter)
- •Construction materials (summer season)
When is the Des Moines to Denver lane busiest?
Retail timing and Colorado's ski season both shape this lane.
Q1 (Jan-Mar): Slow Period?
A modest dip after the holidays, cushioned by winter ski-resort resupply freight.
Q4 (Oct-Dec): Peak Period?
Consumer goods climb from October through December.
Produce Season?
Not a major factor on this lane.
- •Q4 holiday retail season
- •Winter ski-season resupply freight
- •Summer construction and tourism season
Hurricane Risk?
None. Colorado winter weather along the mountain approaches is this corridor's real seasonal risk.
Seasonal Strategy Summary
Winter (October through April) is the defining season on this lane. Chain law enforcement on I-70's mountain corridor is strict, so build in extra time and carry the right equipment.
How do I negotiate the best rate on the Des Moines to Denver lane?
When to book, who pays extra, and which loads need a weather plan.
When to Book
Suggested booking window:
1-2 days out is typical for this haul.
What Brokers Pay More
Loads that command more:
Time-critical ski-season resupply and air-cargo-connected freight tends to pay a premium.
When to Avoid
Loads to price carefully:
Be careful committing to a winter delivery through the Colorado mountain approaches without a weather plan.
Rate Negotiation Tips for Des Moines to Denver
- •
Carry chains on this lane from September through May. Colorado enforces its I-70 mountain chain law aggressively.
- •
At 665 miles, plan for a full one- to two-day trip with real weather buffer time in winter.
- •
Building-products freight is worth asking about given Union Pacific's new Rocky Mountain Rail Park.
How do I find a backhaul load on the Des Moines to Denver lane?
Denver's regional distribution role makes an eastbound load realistic.
Best Return Cities
Where to look for the return load:
- •Denver, CO
- •Regional distribution hubs near Denver
Deadhead Risk %
Deadhead risk on this lane: 25-30%
With Denver International Airport's growing cargo operations, there is real backhaul variety.
Alternative Routes
If the first load falls through, try these:
- •Denver is a big distribution gateway, which offers reasonable backhaul options despite the long, rural route.
Backhaul Optimization Tips
- •
Denver's dual rail-yard access gives you real backhaul options heading back toward Des Moines.
- •
Des Moines's grain and manufacturing base keeps eastbound freight flowing too.
- •
Check freight tied to the new Rocky Mountain Rail Park for a return load.
What do experienced dispatchers know about the Des Moines to Denver lane?
Three notes before this long westbound run.
Plan your hours-of-service and rest stops before this 10-hour run.
Check Colorado winter weather conditions before a late-fall through early-spring run.
Fuel up before high-plains stretches with limited services.
Confirm your truck carries chains before dispatching this lane between September and May.
Des Moines to Denver Lane FAQs
Answers on drive time, winter weather, and Denver's role as a hub.
The lane data shows about $1,530 - $1,796 per load, or $2.30 - $2.70 a mile, across 665 miles.
About 10 hours for the 665 miles on I-80 and I-76.
Yes, Colorado winter weather along the mountain approaches can affect delivery schedules.
Reasonably, given Denver's role as the Rocky Mountain region's main distribution point.
Other Iowa freight lanes we dispatch
- Des Moines to Sioux City
- Des Moines to Indianapolis
- Des Moines to Waterloo
- Des Moines to Davenport
- Des Moines to Cedar Rapids
- Des Moines to Dallas
Local resources
Also serving the other end of this lane
Dry Van owner-operator, Midwest: +$1,950/week after moving to $2.65/mi on produce / auto parts freight.
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